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(Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Tsk tsk tsk. Why am I not surprised?
Luckily, you write kick-ass heroine's
who know how to leap in and save
the day.
And of course, if she can tie the knot,
she also understands how to untie the
knot and escape.
Here are five easy knots that she might use.
NOTE: I put up a video of my tying each knot, so you can see how quick and easy they are to do. It should be enough information to understand the knot for writing it into a scene. I also put up a quick study with better camera angles, in case you actually wanted to try them yourself.(Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
1. Bowline Knot -
* A bow line knot is an
essential rescue knot
essential rescue knot
* Makes a loop that does not
slide up and down
slide up and down
* Used for emergency
extraction from holes,
extraction from holes,
water, etc.
* Your heroine can then throw the rope to the
person in trouble. That person can wrap the
loop around their torso, or grab hold of the
loop like a handle and be pulled to safety.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
2. Clove Hitch
* This is a knot that can attach an item
such as a carabiner or stick to a
rope
* Used frequently by characters who are
climbing/rappelling
Video Quick Study (0:34)
. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
3. Timber Hitch
* When you need to tie a line to an object
such as a rope to the balustrade so your
heroine can climb out of the window and
away from the bad guy.
Video Quick Study (1:39)
4. Taut Line Hitch (also written Tautline Hitch)
(Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
* This knot slides to adjust
the size of the loop
the size of the loop
* It is usually used for tent
stakes
stakes
* Can be used to throw over
an object such as a post,
then pulled tightly to make
an object such as a post,
then pulled tightly to make
secure.
* Good for bringing things up a tree or for
throwing over an object then pulling
toward the heroine if she can't reach it.
* Helpful when making a tarp wind shield
because it is adjustable.
Video Quick Study (4:35)
Sheet bend (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
5. Sheet Bend
* A sheet bend is a secure
way to take two shorter
pieces of rope and make
them into one longer piece.
way to take two shorter
pieces of rope and make
them into one longer piece.
* This can be used, for
example with the paracord
that your heroine pulls from her
example with the paracord
that your heroine pulls from her
paracord bracelet (Blog Link)
Double sheet bend (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
* If someone's life is on the
line use the double
line use the double
sheet bend for extra
security.
security.
Video Quick Study (4:43 go right to the 1:45
mark)
A hitch is a knot that ties a rope to an object
A lashing ties two ropes together
ADDENDUM: After two authors left questions below about a heroine getting untied, I made this video for them. Things I learned:
* It is actually not as easy as one would think to effectively tie
someone's hands behind their back. There is a
fine line between secure and no circulation. Hubby actually had
to try several times to get it right - while he
ties knots all the time, he's only tied people to secure/save them
never to restrain them.
* Room is required for flailing about. LOL
* Certain clothes/shoes would make this move impossible.
* This video was edited to accommodate for your time. I actually
had to gnaw at the knots for quite a while.
You're heroine should anticipate this taking time and being
frustrating.