How to Tie a Fireman's Chair Knot
The fireman's chair knot is specifically designed as a makeshift harness or "chair" to transport unconscious or injured people. This knot may be tied without either end of the rope in keeping with its use for emergency rescue. The following steps will show how to tie the fireman's chair knot.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Twist the rope to the right to form a loop A with the left end of the rope on top of the right end. Make a loop B in the same way to right of loop A. Lay loop B on top of loop A so that they overlap.
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2
Pull the left half of loop B through loop A from above and at the same time pull the right half of loop A through loop B from below.
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3
Choose the size of the loops to pull through in Step 2 for use on unconscious personnel. The choice of loop size is critical and varies according to the size of the person being rescued. Typically, a smaller loop goes around the chest and a larger one goes around the knees.
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4
Adjust the size of the loops for lowering a conscious person. The loop size for this use is not as critical so long as they are the same size. The person simply places one foot in each loop and holds on to the secured end of the rope.
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5
Twist a section of rope on the left end three-quarters of a turn to the right and slip it over the loop on the left. Do the same thing to the loop on the right. Snug the two half-hitches thus made up to the center knot and tighten.
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