Rope, Knots Karabiners and Harnesses

Question 1

What are the advantages of a good knot?

Answer 1

• Ties Easily
• Easy to Recognizable
• Easy to Untie
• Should not slip or over tighten
• Won’t significantly damage or reduce the strength of the rope

Question 2

List the 7 general purpose knots and describe where and when you would use them.

Answer 2

• Overhand Knot: prevent a line unreeving through a snatch block or pulley.
• Clove hitch: securing the end of a rope and small gear.
• Round turn & two half hitches: secure a line to a spar or any round object.
• Half hitch: used to prevent a know unraveling and secure objects in conjunction with a clove or rolling hitch.
• Rolling hitch: used to tie around cylindrical shaped objects. Prevents slipping.
• Bowline: raise or lower objects (bags)
• Double sheet bend: tie two ropes of different diameter together

Question 3

General Purpose Rope

Colour?
Diameter?
Construction?
Fibre?
Melting point?
Minimum breaking strength?
Safe working load?
Length?

Answer 3

Colour - White (when new)
Diameter - 12mm
Construction - 3 strand right hand lay
Fibre - Polyester
Melting Point - 250 C
Min Breaking Strength - 2200kg/22kn (when new)
Safe Working Load - 450kg
Length - 30m (Div A) 10, 20, 30m (Div B)

Question 4

What can cause rope deterioration?

Answer 4

C - Chemicals
A - Abrasion
M - Mechanical damage
S - Shock Load
U - Ultraviolet Light
E - Extreme heat

Question 5

Explain how a general purpose line should be cleaned.

Answer 5

• Clean after use
• Soak and agitate in a container of warm water
• Hang to dry away from direct sunlight and heat

Question 6

Identify the knot protocol to be followed when tying knots.

Answer 6

• Ensure the correct knot is selected for the task
• Place tension on the line to set and tighten the knot
• All knots much be removed/released from the line after use
• All knots much be inspected after tying. Look away and recheck.
• All knots must be checked by another firefighter (Life Rescue Line ONLY)
• All knots must have no less than 150mm tail after tightening.

Question 7

List the 5 Life Rescue Line knots and describe where you would use them.

Answer 7

• Figure 8 stopper: used to prevent an object coming off the line
• Figure 8 on the bight: non-slip loop in the end of the rope to connect to the ‘D’ of a harness. Also used for connecting a stretcher sling or bridle using a karabiner.
• Double fisherman knot: non-slip join between two lines
• Butterfly knot: mid-line attachment point
• Figure 8 on the bight (follow through): connect line to an object, where a loop can’t be thrown over to secure the end of a line.

Question 8

Division A Life Rescue Line

Colour?
Diameter?
Length?
Working load limit?
Fibre?
Melting point?
Elongation?

Answer 8

Colour - Orange with blue flecks (50m) Blue with orange flecks (25m)
Diameter - 13mm
Length - 50m and 25m
Working load limit - 272kg max, 15:1 safety factor, One person load per line
Fibre - Nylon 66 core/polyester sheath
Melting point - 220C
Elongation - 3% at 80kg load

Question 9

What chemicals can affect a rope?

Answer 9

• Hot caustic soda
• Concentrated ammonia
• Concentrated sulphuric acid

Question 10

Division B Life Rescue Line

Colour?
Diameter?
Length?
Working load limit?
Fibre?
Melting point?
Elongation?

Answer 10

Colour - Orange with blue flecks/Blue with orange flecks
Diameter - 13mm
Length - 50m & 100 m. Up to 200m at rope rescue locations.
Working load limit - 410kg max. 10:1 safety factor
Fibre - Nylon
Melting point - 220C
Elongation - 2-4%

Question 11

Components of the petzl life rescue harness?

Answer 11

Sternal attachment D - fall arrest for aerial appliance

Ventral attachment - fall prevention only

Dorsal attachment - fall arrest for aerial appliances

Waist side attachment Ds - fall prevention onlys

Equipment loops - used to attach equipment

Soft attachment point - connects chest karabiner to waist belt

Question 12

Roper external inspection looks for?

Answer 12

Abrasion

Cuts or broken strands

Discolouration

Powdery filaments