DRAW HITCH OR HIGHWAY MAN’S HITCH

DRAW HITCH OR HIGHWAY MAN’S HITCH OR THIEF HITCH

The highwayman’s hitch is a type of knot. It is a quick-release, draw loop hitch popular for temporarily securing horses. There are two main features to this hitch. It can be untied with a tug of the working end, and the working and standing ends are released on the same side of the object (ex. pipe fence rail) that was tied on to.

Both of these features are desirable when dealing with horse emergencies where a panicked animal may be straining against a tied off lead rope. Because the working (free) and standing (horse) ends release on the same side of the object tied to, the free end of the rope is not whipped around behind the rail by the animal, thereby forcing the quick-release grip on the rope to be abandoned.

DRAW HITCH

The knot is three bights linked through one another. To tie, begin by forming a bight behind the pole. Next, pass a bight formed from the standing part (the end that will receive tension) over the pole and through the first bight. Then, pass a bight formed from the working end over the pole and through the second bight. Pull the standing part tight to ensure that it holds. Until the knot is tightened and properly dressed the highwayman’s hitch has little holding power. When properly tied to posts or rails of approximately 2.5 – 3 inches diameter using the large diameter, compressible ropes commonly used for hose leads, it can be a remarkably secure knot.

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FIREMAN’S CHAIR KNOT

 FIREMAN’S CHAIR KNOT

FIREMAN'S CHAIR KNOT

FIREMAN'S CHAIR KNOT

Make half hitch. Right under left.
Make a second half hitch. Again right under left.
Bring right hitch in front of left hitch.

Grab hitches as shown. Pull through.
Make another half hitch. Put loop through.
Make half hitch on the left. Put loop through.
Pull ends to tighten

Use:
The fireman’s chair knot is a rescue knot. There are two loops formed. One which goes under the arms; the other under the legs of person.
Care should be taken when tying this knot.

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MANHARNESS KNOT

MANHARNESS KNOT

MANHARNESS KNOT

The principal use of this knot is to make a loop in the middle of a rope that is being used for hauling or climbing. A man can then use the loop as a harness over his shoulder so he can put his full weight to its best use. Form an underhand loop as shown at top. Grasp the loop at (A) and lay it over the part of rope shown by the arrow. The result will be shown in the middle drawing. Now grasp the rope at (B) and draw it up under and over as shown at bottom. This forms the bight which becomes the loop for your shoulder. Draw the knot tight before using it.

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