CFD Ropes and Knots Manual

Question 1

types of ropes used by CFD

Answer 1

work rope (laid rope- natural/synthetic)

Water rescue rope (double braided rope - synthetic)

life safety rope (kernmantle - synthetic)

Question 2

Work Rope (laid rope)

Answer 2

natural or synthetic

Constructed by twisting fibers together to form strands then twisting the strands together to make the final rope

15% weaker when wet

Question 3

Water rescue rope (double braided rope) – synthetic

Answer 3

Constructed by uniformly intertwining strands of rope together in a diagonally overlapping pattern

Question 4

Life safety rope (kernmantle rope) – synthetic

Answer 4

A jacketed synthetic rope comprised of a braided covering (mantle) over a core (kern) of the main load-bearing strands

Core (kern) accounts for 75% of the total strength of the rope

CFD uses 12.5mm static life safety kernmantle rope rated 40 kN or 9900lbs

Dynamic - stretch

Static - low stretch

Melting point – 204’C (400’F)

Question 5

CFD Lifeline Identification NFPA 1983

Answer 5

• Both ends
• Apparatus number
• Rope number
• Diameter and length
• Date in service
• Each rope should have a rope tag

Question 6

Tag Damaged Rope

Answer 6

Tie a knot or mark with elastic band near damaged area

Complete equipment repair tag (FD923)

Send to CFD stores

Do not mark the rope with felt marker (Chemicals)

Question 7

Cleaning natural fiber rope

Answer 7

Wipe or gently brush to remove dirt and grit

Do not use water

Dry rope if it gets wet

Avoid ultraviolet exposure

Question 8

Cleaning synthetic rope (handwash)

Answer 8

Place in utility sink with cold water and gentle, non-detergent soaps

Scrub with bristle brush

Can use a mesh bag to soak rope * Rinse thoroughly

Hang in hose tower until dry (no direct sunlight)

Question 9

Storing 12m and 30m work rope

Answer 9

Overhand safety knot on end threaded through the bag

Rope inspection (with gloved hands)

Figure-8 stopper knot (on the tag end so rope is easy to retrieve)

Question 10

Webbing

Answer 10

CFD uses a 25mm spiral weave nylon webbing consisting of material woven into a tube without seams

Question 11

Webbing is commonly used for rescue because

Answer 11

Relative strength (17kN)
Resistance to abrasion
Mild shock absorption qualities

Question 12

CFD personal issued webbing is

Answer 12

7.5m (24.25’) in length and is meant to be stored in a loop

Life cycle every 5 years

Melt point = 193°c

Question 13

webbing - two methods to create a loop

Answer 13

Water knot with overhand safety
Overhand knots on the carabiner

Question 14

storing webbing

Answer 14

Daisy chain

Question 15

4:1 Rule

Answer 15

-The strength of the rope is diminished when a bend in the rope is less than 4 times the diameter

-When tying a knot with a loop/bend, ensure the loop/bend is at least 4x the diameter of the rope

-This is why strength degradation is applied when a knot is tied in any rope (average loss = 30%)

Question 16

3 finishing steps

Answer 16

Dress the knot

Set the knot

Safety the knot

Question 17

bowline

Answer 17

Creates a bight at the end of a line

Used to secure the end of a rope to an object or anchor point, used for hoisting equipment and/or tools

Question 18

Inline butterfly

Answer 18

A mid-line, multidirectional knot that can be made in a rope without access to either end

Advantage is that it can take a load in any direction and is relatively easy to untie, even under load

Question 19

1/2 Hitch

Answer 19

Overhand knot where the working end of the rope is brought over and under the standing line

Question 20

Munter hitch

Answer 20

Friction hitch that uses the same principles as a rappel device

Allows a load to be lowered or belayed under control

Question 21

3-Wrap Prusik

Answer 21

A friction hitch designed to move freely on a line when not under tension

Bi-directional, can move forward or backward along the line without issue

The cord should ideally be 60-80% of the standing line diameter

Question 22

Handcuff hitch

Answer 22

Used in rescue situations to remove a person from a dangerous environment

Can also be used to bind the hands/feet of a combative patient

Question 23

Modified truckers hitch

Answer 23

Used to hold an object in place

Question 24

CFD Approved Bend

Answer 24

Double fisherman’s bend

Question 25

Double fisherman’s bend

Answer 25

Used to join ropes or cordage together regardless of whether the ropes or cordage are of equal size

Question 26

Hasty Harness purpose

Answer 26

Package a patient for removal from a dangerous environment

Self-rescue

Question 27

two methods to apply hasty harness

Answer 27

chalk-line

standing

Question 28

Hoisting fire axe/sledge axe

Answer 28

Figure 8 in a bight with an overhand safety knot and 2 ½ hitches

Question 29

hoisting Salvage cover/tarp (soft material)

Answer 29

Figure 8 on a bight when an overhand safety knot

Question 30

Throw bag and line

Answer 30

Used to extend a rescue line to a victim while the rescuer remains onshore

Throw line is 22m in length and consists of an inner and outer layer of double-braided polypropylene

Considered a static line

Question 31

Throwing the Throw Bag

Answer 31

Throw the line upstream from the victim in moving water so the line will float towards the victim