SURGEON'S KNOTOR SURGEON'S KNOT BEND When making sutures in a wound, surgeons use various knots such as the carrick bend, the reef knot, and the suture knot, which has become known as the surgeon's knot. It was discovered about half a century ago and seems to be the most suitable for the purpose. The surgeon’s knot has an excellent grip and is flatter and less bulky than the other knots, which tended to produce visible and disfiguring scars. The surgeon's knotis a variation of the reef knot made by increasing the number of turns made in the two parts of the knot. It is less bulky but still secure if only one turn is taken in the top part of the knot. 132 A wo Se ae y% SSS \Method Cross the ends and take one end down behind the other rope and up to the front again twice (1, 2), Point the ends upwards and cross them again, holding the right over the left (3). Now do the same as before to produce two turns on the bottom and two on the top (4, 5). Tighten the knot by pulling the ropes at the ends (6). If the turns are made well on each other, the knot will be very compact. 133JAPANESE BEND The Japanese bend, sometimes called a square knot, is a decorative knot and is used as the basis of other decorative knots, It is usually made in string or small stuff and is extremely attractive when made in series.Method Bend the end of one rope into a bight and hold it securely in the left hand. Take the end of the other rope in the right hand, pass it over the first rope, and thread it from below into the eye formed by the first rope (1). This will form two connected bights at right angles to each other (2). Bend the end of the right eye into another bight and insert it into the lower eye (3) The end of the original lower bight should now be inserted into the new left loop (4), The shape of the knot begins to appear (5). Check the various moves, then work the ends and the standing parts to tighten the knot (6). If you want to make a series of these knots, start with very long ends and repeat the above steps.CARRICK BEND This knot consists of two overhand loops crossing each other. It is known under various names: the split knot to the knitwear manufacturer, the warp knot to the sailor, and the cowboy knot to the cowhand. The carrick bend is a very secure way of joining two ropes of equal diameter but of different types. It is more stable than the reef knot, because it does not slip; but itis not commonly used at sea, because it becomes extremely difficult to untie if it has been subjected to great strain or if it is wet. It is used on large-diameter rope such as hawsers and warp ropes and is also used in climbing for joining two heavy ropes.Method Take the end of one rope and form a loop over the standing part, securing it with the left hand (1). Forma second loop with the other rope, passing it under the eye of the previous loop, then over the standing part and behind the end of that loop (2). Insert the end of the second rope into the loop of the first; then pass it behind its own standing part and draw it out of the loop (3,4). Pull both standing parts at the same time to tighten the knot (5, 6)WATER KNOT This knot was invented during the last century-and is also known as the fisherman's, English, Englishman's, true-lover’s, or angler's knot. It is made in string, line, or small-diameter rope and is a little bulky, but it is strong and therefore widely used by rod fishermen. It is a very simple knot made up of two overhand knots which jam against each other. It is not often used by sailors because itis not suitable for large- or medium- diameter rope and, in fact, the knot is not as strong as the rope itself when there is great strain. Method Lay the ends of two cords parallel to one another and make an overhand knot in one end around the other cord (1). Repeat this operation with the end of the other cord (2, 3), Pull the two standing parts so that the two overhand knots slide together (4). After the knot is made, one end should lie above the knot and one below.GRAPEVINE OR DOUBLE FISHERMAN'S KNOT This knot is particularly suitable for fishermen who use it on their lines for more secure joints, It is suitable only for thin line and string, because itis quite bulky. The grapevine knot is used by campers on tent guy ropes or to join lengths of string used for tying up or hanging objects, etc. It is also used by climbers on small stuff. 140