List of Rescue Knots
How to Tie Search and Rescue Knots | Search and Rescue Knots
Alpine Butterfly or Linesman's Loop: The Alpine Butterfly provides a secure loop in the middle of a piece of rope. Strain can be applied from the loop to either end or between the two ends.
The Bowline: The Bowline makes a secure loop in the end of a piece of rope. It can be used to secure a line to a ring or post. When there is no strain it can easily be undone.
Figure 8 Double Loop ("Bunny Ears"): The Double Figure 8 Loop creates two loops in the middle of a rope. The two loops created are stable and resist slipping and changing size.
Clove Hitch (End): The Clove Hitch can be made by passing the end round a bar. Made this way it is useful for attaching boat fenders or adjusting stage scenery. It is tied off after adjustment.
Figure 8 Directional Loop: The Figure 8 Directional Loop creates a loop in the middle of a rope. It is designed for strain in one direction only.
Distel Hitch: The Distel Hitch is a reliable Slide and Grip (friction) Hitch designed to take strain in only one direction. It is tied using a lanyard with a loop at each end secured to a carabiner with a Double Fisherman's bend.
Double Fisherman's or Grapevine Bend: The Double Fisherman's provides a secure method for joining two ropes of similar size. The knot is relatively compact and therefore better than some alternatives when retrieving a climbing rope.
Double Overhand Knot: The Double Overhand Knot makes a reliable stopper knot. It forms the basis for other knots such as the Double Fisherman's Bend.
Hasty (Emergency) Webbing Harness: The Hasty Webbing Harness is made from a length of webbing strap. It creates a temporary webbing seat for use in an emergency.
Figure 8: The Figure 8 is a stopper knot - it prevents the end of a rope sliding through a pulley or it can be used to add security to another knot. It is relatively easy to undo, is preferred to the Overhand Knot, but is not as secure as the Double Overhand.
Figure 8, or Flemish, Bend or Join: The Figure 8 Rope Join provides a secure, simple method for joining two ropes together. It is used in climbing, is fairly easy to undo, but creates a relatively bulky knot.
Figure 8 Follow: The Figure 8 Follow Through creates a Figure 8 loop. It is used when the Figure 8 Loop is being linked to a closed ring or eye, or secured round a bar.
Figure 9 Loop The Figure 9 Loop makes a secure loop. It is similar to the Figure 8 Loop but is less liable to jam and claimed to be stronger.
Girth Hitch (Strap Hitch): The Girth Hitch is used to attach the loop of a webbing strap to your harness or another piece of webbing strapping. It is also known as the Lark's Head, the Cow Hitch, and the Lanyard Hitch. This page links to two other pages showing how to tie related knots.
Handcuff Knot: The Handcuff Knot is tied around the wrists or ankles when rescuing a trapped victim.
Super Munter Hitch: The Super Munter Hitch provides a secure method of controlling the descent of a heavy load.
Prusik Knot or Triple Sliding Hitch: The Prusik is a symmetrical Slide and Grip (friction) knot. The same number of turns lie above and below the loop. Load can be taken in either direction.
Purcell Prusik System: The Purcell Prusik System is compossed of adjustable loops based on Prusik loopa
Water Knot: The Water Knot is used to join two pieces of webbing strapping. The wide area of contact between the two straps ensures a secure knot.
Spanish Bowline: The Spanish Bowline provides two loops in a line for use in resue work.
Tensionless Hitch: The Tensionless Hitch secures a rope to a tree or pole by wrapping the rope enough times to ensure that there is no tension in the tail. This end is then finished with a Figure 8 loop and clipped to the standing end with a carabiner.
Search and Rescue Knots
SelectionThis selection of knots was suggested by Greg Felton who requested a section devoted to Search and Rescue (SAR). We initially supposed that this selection would just be a subset of the climbing page. However, Greg introduced me to the Tensionless Hitch as well as the Emergency Webbing Harness and we decided that a section devoted to SAR would be appropriate.
The final selection of knots is based on consultation with, and advice from, people working in Search and Rescue.
Emphasis
As with Climbing knots, the emphasis for SAR is on reliability and safety. It is also desirable that each knot can be untied reasonably easily.
Make a selection from the images above.