Safety
Before using Cordage on any task, you MUST ____
Inspect it
The most common rope lay — three strands, right-hand twist, and the strongest for a given size.
Hawser-laid (plain-laid)
What colour is the identifying yarn in Manila rope?
Black
This synthetic fibre is the strongest rope material — three times the strength of sisal — but it sinks in water.
Polyamide (Nylon)
Loose clothing should not be worn when handling ropes, especially near this.
Machinery
This nine-strand lay is used for towing because it absorbs shock loads. It is about 40% weaker than three-strand rope.
Cable laid
What colour yarn identifies Polyamide (Nylon) rope?
Green
Unlike most synthetic ropes, these two fibre types float on water.
Polyethylene and Polypropylene
How far must observers stand from a rope being used?
At least 1.5 times the length of the rope
This tough, non-kinking lay is used for heavy slings but is not usually available below 60 mm diameter.
Eight-strand braided (square line)
What colour yarn identifies Polyester rope?
Blue
All synthetic ropes resist this, which is a major weakness of natural fibre ropes in wet conditions.
Damp rot
You must never do this when splicing cordage — specifically regarding lay direction
Splice left-hand lay into right-hand lay rope
Four-strand shroud-laid rope has this key disadvantage compared to three-strand rope of the same size.
It is approximately 10% weaker
What colour yarn identifies Polypropylene rope
Brown
Synthetic ropes have a smooth surface — what extra measure must you take with knots and hitches as a result?
Secure knots by seizing, or take additional turns on hitches