Yes, my faithful readers, I've been missing in action but for many good reasons. I will spare you the gory details and get right down to business starting with a little knot refresher.
There are several knots that every firefighter should master. In the service, knots are used for a variety of reasons, for rescue, safety and general fire operations like hosting ladders or tools. The most common materials are rope (lots of types and won't go down the rabbit hole) and sometimes we use webbing. Here are just a few examples and applications:
The Clove Hitch
This type of knot can be used for hoisting tools. You can throw a Clove Hitch around the butt, head and shoulder of an axe than using the working end, add a couple of overhand safety knots for security on the grip and voila. Hoist. This versatile knot is also used to tie off the Halyard-Nylon rope used to extend the fly section on an extension ladder.
One of my all-time favorites, the Figure Eight on a Bight! This knot can be used for multitude of applications but the first one that comes to mind is hoisting a ladder. You create the knot and carefully slip the bight over the beam/rungs of the ladder and secure it. Then using the working end of the rope, throw an overhand safety knot on the butt end of the ladder and hoist.
Ah ... the bane of my existence... the one that makes me cry....The Figure Eight Follow Through. It's very useful knot, but quite problematic for me personally, not sure why...
This knot can be used for safety/security when hoisting hose line. So, for example, we would start by making the Figure Eight, giving yourself enough lead to wrap the working end around a post. In this case, I used the arm of a chair. Then carefully weave the rope back through the Figure Eight. Now you can toss it onto hose line prior to hoisting. Yeah, for me it's not as easy as it sounds. So....Tie a Knot, Try Alot. Muscle memory is key. Practice makes perfect especially using fire fighter gloves.
Tomorrow, we're trying something different......the adventure and IFO prep continues...... saws and roof ventilation. Lots of exciting stuff so please stay tuned!
And of course, the strength and cardio training continues! Thanks to my personal videographer capturing a new workout routine as suggested by one of my firefighter brothers. Here is a quick snippet of me walking the apparatus floor, carrying ten-pound weights in my very very very oversized bunker pants and on air! I can literally fit another person in there!
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