Handcuff Knot

[knot4u]

Do you have this knot memorized?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handcuff_knot

I know the handcuff knot just in case I have to rescue somebody.  


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireman%27s_chair_knot

[roo]

I don't think it sees lots of use, but I tie it from memory starting with a common clove hitch method shown here:

http://notableknotindex.webs.com/clovehitch.html

[roo]

I know the handcuff knot just in case I have to rescue somebody.  

I see you've updated your initial post to include a body harness scenario.  One thing that troubles me about using two loops for a body harness is that in a vertical lift there is little to keep the loop for the legs from riding up.

If you want to emulate a certain type of harness, such as:



...it seems like you'd want three loops, as seen in a triple bowline:

http://notableknotindex.webs.com/triplebowline.html

I'd suggest carefully suspending yourself with these two approaches, and see which one you prefer.  Keep in mind that a theoretical victim may or may not be conscious.

[knot4u]

If you want to emulate a certain type of harness, such as:



...it seems like you'd want three loops, as seen in a triple bowline:

http://notableknotindex.webs.com/triplebowline.html

Is that one loop for each leg and a third loop for the torso?  Would a Three Loop Butterfly work well too?  I know both (3L Butterfly and 3L Bowline), but haven't tested either as a harness.

(By the way, I can't make out that small pic.)

[roo]

Is that one loop for each leg and a third loop for the torso?  Would a Three Loop Butterfly work well too?  I know both (3L Butterfly and 3L Bowline), but haven't tested either as a harness.

(By the way, I can't make out that small pic.)

Here are some larger images:
http://tinyurl.com/26rbl3c

I prefer to have the victim's weight  bearing on their upper legs with the loop under the armpits just keeping them upright, mostly.  I haven't tried a three loop butterfly, but I would wonder about loop communication issues and ease of adjustment with any untested multi-loop knot.

[knot4u]

Is that one loop for each leg and a third loop for the torso?  Would a Three Loop Butterfly work well too?  I know both (3L Butterfly and 3L Bowline), but haven't tested either as a harness.

(By the way, I can't make out that small pic.)

Here are some larger images:
http://tinyurl.com/26rbl3c

I prefer to have the victim's weight  bearing on their upper legs with the loop under the armpits just keeping them upright, mostly.  I haven't tried a three loop butterfly, but I would wonder about loop communication issues and ease of adjustment with any untested multi-loop knot.

I see the pics of the harness devices, but I guess I'll just have to experiment on myself because I can't quite visualize what you mean.

[roo]

I guess it's all about experimenting on a willing participant because I can't quite visualize what you mean.  I see the pics of the harness devices, but still I can't quite visualize how to emulate one of those harnesses by using a 3L Bowline.

Why not experiment on yourself?  Put a leg through each of the first two loops until they are up as high as they can go, and put the last loop over your head until it gets under your armpits, and work the slack out.  The knot will be in front of you.

[knot4u]

I guess it's all about experimenting on a willing participant because I can't quite visualize what you mean.  I see the pics of the harness devices, but still I can't quite visualize how to emulate one of those harnesses by using a 3L Bowline.

Why not experiment on yourself?  Put a leg through each of the first two loops until they are up as high as they can go, and put the last loop over your head until it gets under your armpits, and work the slack out.  The knot will be in front of you.

OK, I can visualize that, given the extra little piece of important info.

[roo]

OK, I can visualize that, given the extra little piece of important info.

Another way to make an emergency body harness is with the Midspan Sheet Bend.  First, a double loop is made for the thighs as described at the bottom of the Midspan Sheet Bend page.  Then, a Midspan Sheet Bend is used to close off a loop around the torso before leading up to the hoisting location.

http://notableknotindex.webs.com/midspan.html

[dmacdd]

Another way to make an emergency body harness is with the Midspan Sheet Bend.  ....

How about the rescue harness described in the second half of this:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EyfYyJkZss

[roo]

Another way to make an emergency body harness is with the Midspan Sheet Bend.  ....

How about the rescue harness described in the second half of this:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EyfYyJkZss

Ouch, nearly a 7 minute youtube.  Maybe you could include a transcript.  Anyway, I'm sure the Karash Loop could be used.  But since making an emergency body harness with just a rope is going to be a very rare event, I'd seriously be wondering if anyone would remember the Karash Loop.  Most common errors will result in a shrinking double loop, which isn't desirable.  Even if tied correctly, but drawn up too loosely, the Karash Loop can become a shrinking double loop.

[knot4u]

Another way to make an emergency body harness is with the Midspan Sheet Bend.  ....

How about the rescue harness described in the second half of this:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EyfYyJkZss

Without pausing, I could only figure out the Karash Double Loop.  The other knots are Bowline-like knots, but they're not shown well.  So, the overall harness is not useful to me because I didn't get all the knots.  Also, I wonder how the properties of the 2-Loop Butterfly would compare to that Karash Double Loop.