Continuing Education
For the Fire Fighter
Copyright: IFSTA, Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 6th Edition
Ropes, Webbing, and Knots
Module 2
Chapter 8
Copyright: IFSTA, Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 6th Edition
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe
Describe parts of a characteristics of
rope and knots commonly
considerations in used in the fire
tying a knot. service.
Describe knot
characteristics and
knot elements.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Select
commonly
used rope
hardware for Inspect, clean, Tie a clove
specific and store a Tie a bowline hitch around
applications. rope. knot. an object.
Summarize Tie an Tie a clove Tie a handcuff
hoisting safety overhand knot. hitch. (rescue) knot.
considerations.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Tie a Tie a
figure- figure- Tie a
eight eight on Becket Hoist an
knot. a bight. bend. axe.
Tie a Tie a Hoist a
figure- water pike
eight knot. pole.
bend. Tie a
figure-
eight
follow
through.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Hoist a Hoist a
roof charged
ladder. hoseline.
Hoist a Hoist a
dry power
hoseline. saw.
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KNOTS PLAY A CRITICAL PART IN FIRE FIGHTING
AND ARE MADE UP OF THREE PARTS.
Running part
Standing part
Working end
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TIGHTEN ALL KNOTS, REMOVE ALL SLACK AFTER
TYING (DRESSING), AND USE SAFETY KNOTS TO
ENSURE SAFETY.
Courtesy of Shad Cooper/Wyoming
State Fire Marshal’s Office
Overhand safety
Clove hitch
knot
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ALL KNOTS TIED BY FIREFIGHTERS FOLLOW
THESE BASIC PRINCIPLES.
Easy to tie
Reduce rope
strength as little Secure under
as possible, load
avoid tight bends
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THREE BENDS ARE CREATED WHEN TYING A
KNOT OR HITCH.
Bight Loop Round turn
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FIREFIGHTERS USE SEVERAL TYPES OF KNOTS
FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
Courtesy of Shad Cooper/Wyoming
Overhand safety knot State Fire Marshal’s Office Bowline
• Used as a safety measure • Easily tied and untied
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FIREFIGHTERS USE SEVERAL TYPES OF KNOTS
FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
Half-hitch Clove hitch
• Used to stabilize long objects while • Attach rope to object, not used in life
hoisting, combined with other knots safety
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FIREFIGHTERS USE SEVERAL TYPES OF KNOTS
FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
Handcuff (Rescue) Figure-Eight
• Used to secure victim’s hands, feet • Can be used as stopper knot
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FIREFIGHTERS USE SEVERAL TYPES OF KNOTS
FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
Figure-Eight bend Figure-Eight on bight
• Used to tie together two ropes of • Used to tie closed loop
equal diameter
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FIREFIGHTERS USE SEVERAL TYPES OF KNOTS
FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
Figure-Eight follow through Becket bend
• Used for securing objects • Used joining unequal diameter
rope or chain, not life safety
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FIREFIGHTERS USE SEVERAL TYPES OF KNOTS
FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
Water knot
• Used for joining two pieces of
webbing, tendency to slip
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ROPES AND WEBBING HAVE FIVE MAIN USES
AT EMERGENCY INCIDENTS.
Rescue (life safety rope only)
Hoist tools, equipment
Barrier to control zone
Search line
Stabilization
Never exceed the load ability of a rope.
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SPECIALLY TRAINED RESCUERS USE LIFE
SAFETY ROPE, NEVER UTILITY ROPE.
Lifting victims and Ice, swift water
Rappelling
rescuers rescue
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ALWAYS KEEP SAFETY FIRST WHEN HOISTING
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT.
Hoisting SCBA
prohibited by
OSHA
Control or tag Use proper
line may be knots, securing
used procedures
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CARABINERS AND PULLEYS ARE THE MOST COMMON
TYPE OF ROPE EQUIPMENT USED IN HOISTING.
Connects rope to
mechanical gear
Carabiners
Creates mechanical
advantage
Pulleys
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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
WHEN HOISTING.
Make sure
balanced and
firmly on
ground before
starting
Use hand-
Use edge roller
over-hand to
or padding to
maintain
protect rope
control
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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
WHEN HOISTING.
Use pulley
system for
heavy
objects
Work in
Clear
teams when
personnel of
working
hoisting area
from heights
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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
WHEN HOISTING.
Avoid
hoisting near
electrical
hazards
Secure
Hand carry if nozzles of
safer charged
hoselines
Use tag line
to control
object
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FIREFIGHTERS MUST LEARN TO HOIST
SEVERAL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT.
Axe Pike Pole
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FIREFIGHTERS MUST LEARN TO HOIST
SEVERAL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT.
- Often fastest
and safest
- Dry hoseline
safer than
charged
Ladder Dry hoseline
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FIREFIGHTERS MUST LEARN TO HOIST
SEVERAL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT.
- Knot and
Courtesy of Shad Cooper/Wyoming
tagline through
State Fire Marshal’s Office
closed handle
Rotary saw
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UTILITY ROPE HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN
USED FOR CONTROL ZONE PERIMETERS.
Courtesy of Shad Cooper/Wyoming State Fire Marshal’s Office
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SEARCH LINES HELP FIREFIGHTERS STAY IN CONTACT
AND PROVIDE A PHYSICAL MEANS OF FINDING AN
EXIT.
Courtesy of Shad Cooper/Wyoming State Fire Marshal’s Office
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UTILITY ROPE IS USED TO STABILIZE OBJECTS AND
PREVENT VEHICLES FROM FALLING OR ROLLING
OVER.
1. Tie to strong,
stationary object
2. Tie to vehicle
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BEFORE STABILIZING ANY OBJECT, BE SURE TO
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING.
Ensure rope, webbing, anchors strong enough
to bear weight
Tighten knots, have safety knots in place
Ensure all attachment points secure, will not
pull free
Ensure personnel are clear in case line snaps,
breaks
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SUMMARY
To use them safely and effectively, you must know the
various types of ropes, their applications, and how to
tie a variety of knots quickly and correctly.
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