How to Tie the Mariner's Knot
The mariner's knot goes by a deceptive name. In fact, there is no record of sailors ever having used the knot. It is sometimes used by climbers, in order to rescue a fallen man or woman. It is a secure knot, though it does come untied easily, which is something that should be remembered when using it to rescue individuals. It is easy to tie and untie, and is a pretty basic knot. It should be tied to a horizontal line, such as a tree branch.
Instructions
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1
Grab your rope at the center point and let both sides fall down side by side with one another, forming what is called a bight.
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2
Wrap your bight around your horizontal pole or branch, going from the bottom of the pole around over the top.
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3
Repeat Step 2.
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4
Wrap the bight over top and around the lines.
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5
Repeat Step 4 three or four times.
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6
Pass your bight through the two lines.
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7
Cinch your line up tightly.
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1
Tips & Warnings
The more turns you make with your bight around your lines (as described in Step 4) the more secure it will be.
Make sure to keep your lines as straight as possible, not allowing them to cross one another.
The Mariner's knot has a tendency to unravel when it is not weighted, so it is not the best knot to use for lifesaving purposes.
