A fireman's chair knot (also known as the chair knot) is a

knot A knot is an intentional complication in Rope, cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including List of hitch knots, hitches, List of bend knots, bends, List of loop knots, loop knots, ...

tied in the bight forming two adjustable, lockable loops. The knot consists of a handcuff knot finished with a locking

half hitch The half hitch is a simple List of hitch knots, hitch knot, where the Knot#Working end, working end of a line is brought over and under the Knot#Standing part, standing part. Insecure on its own, it is a valuable component of a wide variety of u ...

around each loop. The loops remain adjustable until the half hitches are tightened.

Usage

The knot was first introduced by the Victorian chief fire officer Eyre Massey-Shaw in 1876. Made with suitable

rope A rope is a group of yarns, Plying, plies, fibres, or strands that are plying, twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have high tensile strength and can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger ...

by qualified personnel this knot can be used as a rescue

harness A harness is a looped restraint or support. Specifically, it may refer to one of the following harness types: * Bondage harness * Child harness * Climbing harness * Dog harness * Five-point harness, a type of seatbelt * Horse harness * Pet harnes ...

capable of supporting a person while being hoisted or lowered to safety. One loop supports the body, around the chest and under the arms, and the other loop supports the legs, under the knees. Tied towards the middle of a line, one end is used for lowering and the other end can serve as a tagline, to control the victim's position with respect to hazards during the descent. A snug fitting of this knot should restrain the victim, even if unconscious.Knots: The Art of Working with Knots and Strings
The Explorer's Club. Last accessed 06 Dec 2011. The fireman's chair can also be used to move a victim laterally when used as a part of a tensioned horizontal highline system. The fireman's chair knot is generally considered to be merely a makeshift

, to be used when conventional

rope rescue Rope rescue is a subset of technical rescue that involves the use of rope, be it steel or cable rope, or more commonly used nylon, polyester, or other type of rope. Principles The key to any type of rescue is understanding and identifying th ...

techniques are not available; it is rarely used by modern rescue teams.

References

{{Knots Rescue

Usage

See also

References