Rope rescue uses and examples of a butterfly knot

The butterfly knot is widely considered to be one of the sturdiest and most reliable loop knots. Because of its strength, its security, and the ease with which it may be tied, the butterfly knot is relied on heavily in all sorts of complicated and exciting rope rescue procedures. This knot is used to create a solid loop in the middle of any length of rope and can be tied even when either or both ends of the rope are not accessible. The butterfly knot has the ability to be adjusted in many different directions and will not distort. It can also be used to segregate a frayed or injured section of rope by solidly connecting the two undamaged portions on either side of the frayed section. The damaged section of rope is isolated in a harmless, untouched loop, rendering the rest of the rope once again usable.

This knot is able to tolerate strain in any direction without coming loose. Rope rescue teams may use it to harness an injured person between two rope rescue team members in order to pull him to safety. For high angle rescue operations it may be used to hook supply or rescue materials through the loop in order to pass them to the victims. Tying several butterfly knots in regular intervals along the length of a rope is often used in rope rescue services to allow various confined space rescue crew members to get a handhold on the rope and pull someone or something heavy to safety. In these types of tug-of-war confined space rescue procedures, a pulley must be used to prevent fraying of the rope. Confined space rescue teams often refer to this rig as a flying squirrel.

To tie the butterfly knot, twist a wide loop in the middle of a length of rope. Follow this up with a second loop above the first, twisted in the same direction to create the shape of the number eight. Take the top loop and bring it down behind the first loop and then behind the line of rope. Keep lowering it underneath the rope and then push it upward through the hole created by the bottom loop. Continue to pull the top loop upward to fasten the butterfly knot. Make sure to also pull both sides of the rope tight to ensure your butterfly knot does not slip.

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