Function of bends:
- Used to tie 2 ropes together.
Bends commonly used in NPCC:
- Reef Knot
- Sheet Bend
- Fisherman's Knot
1. Reef Knot |
Function:
- To join two ropes of equal diameters together.
Practial Application
- In first aid for tying of bandages.
- Parcel tying
Take note:
The reef knot is easily capsized and thus is not recommended when safety is concerned despite being a relatively secure knot. The following shows how to capsize a reef knot. The reef knot will not hold if the ropes are wet or if they are of different sizes.
The reef knot is easily capsized and thus is not recommended when safety is concerned despite being a relatively secure knot. The following shows how to capsize a reef knot. The reef knot will not hold if the ropes are wet or if they are of different sizes.
Shown on the left is the granny knot, a variation of the reef knot. This knot can be identified through two characteristics: it does not lie flat like the reef knot, and its working ends are on the same side. This knot is less secure than the reef knot as it does not have an interlocking mechanism and is thus not preferred. It is tied using the "right over left, right over left" method where both half knots are tied in the same direction.
Shown on the left is the thief knot, a variation of the reef knot. This knot can be identified through two characteristics: it lies flat like a reef knot, and its working ends are on different sides. This knot is less secure than the reef knot as the diagonally opposite standing ends result in a sliding mechanism that causes the knot to loosen under strain. It is said that sailors used this knot to identify when thieves have been tampering with their bags due to its similarity to the reef knot.
Shown on the left is the grief knot, a variation of the reef knot. Its name derives from both the granny knot and thief knot as it encompasses characteristics of both knots. The grief knot can be identified through two characteristics: it does not lie flat like the reef knot, and it's working ends are on different sides. This knot is not secure at all and comes undone easily just be pulling the standing ends.
2. Sheet Bend |
Function: To join 2 ropes, especially ropes of unequal thickness
Practical Application: Attaching a flag to the halyard
Take note:
The sheet bend is easily capsized when not under strain by pulling both ends of the thicker rope (yellow rope on left) such that both ropes easily slide apart. As such, for the sheet bend to be effective, it must be tightened properly and under strain.
On the left is a left-hand sheet bend where both working ends lie on opposite sides. This variation is known to be a weaker version of the sheet bend and is thus not preferred.
3. Fisherman's Knot |
Function:
- To join 2 ropes of equal diameters together, usually thin slippery ropes
Practical Application: Joining fishing lines