The Double Figure Eight
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The double figure eight knot is a very safe knot to use when human life depends on it. This knot is used by climbers all over the world from easy climbing situations to the worst conditions it is possible to climb in. While climbing if you should lose your footing this knot will not let you down. It is capable of withstanding any load placed upon it even if you should fall from a great height. Another aspect of this knot is that even when placed under great strain
FOR A LARGER IMAGE click the animation the knot is still easy to untie. In the animation you can see that the knot is being tied trough a carabina. Normally you would form the knot by doubling and tying the knot as if using one strand leaving a loop in the knot. This loop will then be snapped into the carrabina and locked off. If you do not have the luxuary of a carrabina you would follow the method shown in the animation.
For saftey reasons it is always best to finish the knot off with a couple of half hitches.
Climbers also use a specalist rope called kernmantle. The construction of this rope means that it will stretch when put under pressure without snapping. Another property of this rope is that it will not melt when belaying through a carrabina, which can get very hot.

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