RANGER HANDBOOK

(5) Rappel seat left hand brake (Figure 10-5). The rappel seat is utilized to form a rope
harness for rappelling and can be tied for use with the left or right hand.
Figure 10-5. Rappel seat left hand brake
Leg straps do not cross, and are centered on buttocks and tight. Leg straps form
locking half-hitches on rope around waist. Square knot properly tied on right hip and
finished with two overhand knots. Tails even within 6 inches. Carabiner properly
inserted around all ropes with opening gate opening up and away. Carabiner will not
come in contact with square knot or overhand knot. Rappel seat is tight enough not to
allow a fist to be inserted between the rappeller’s body and the harness.
b. FIGURE 8 KNOTS.
(1) Figure 8 loop (Figure 10-6). Figure 8 loop knot is utilized to form a fixed loop in
the end of the rope. It can be tied at the end of the rope or anywhere along the
length of the rope. Figure 8 loop knots are formed by two ropes parallel to each
other in the shape of a figure 8, no twists are in the figure eight. Fixed loops are
10-4