How to Tie Knots: Firefighters

The fireman's chair knot is a rescue knot which consists of two loops which can be adjusted and locked. This knot is used to support someone's arms and legs as they are being carried to safety. As the proper tying of this knot can be a matter of life or death, knots used in rescue situations should only be tied by trained professionals, using strong, high-quality rope.

Instructions

• 1

  Form a straight line from rope.

• 2

  Form a half-hitch by crossing the right end of the rope under the left to form a loop.

• 3

  Make a second half-hitch by crossing the right end of the rope under the left a second time to form another loop.

• 4

  Bring the right hitch (loop) over the left hitch.

• 5

  Simultaneously grab and pull the left half of the right loop through the left loop, and grab and pull the right half of the left loop through the right loop. Keep pulling until you have formed a tight knot. When you are finished tightening, your rope will look like a large shoelace bow with a knot in the center.

• 6

  Make another half-hitch with the left free end of the rope. Pull the left loop through the left hitch, and pull tight. Repeat this step on the right side, making a right half-hitch, pulling the right loop through the right hitch and pulling tight.