Emergency Way of Fixing a Damaged Rope

OK, before we get into what to do to fix a damaged rope, lets just say this: DO NOT USE a damaged rope for critical load! However, having just said that, you may be in an emergency situation where you need to use a damaged rope.

How Strong is a Damaged Rope?

Now the problem is, that if you have a frayed or damaged rope, you do knot know how much the damaged has reduced the strength of the rope. So what you need to do is to bypass the damaged section of rope with a knot that is not only strong, but also less prone to shake loose. It is often said that the Sheepshank can be used to bypass a damaged section of rope, but the problem with the Sheepshank is that it can easily shake loose when not loaded.

Best Knot for Bypassing a Damaged Section of Rope

An excellent knot to use for this purpose is the Alpine Butterfly Loop or the Alpine Butterfly Bend. The Alpine Butterfly Loop and Bend can both be tied in the same way. Not only that, the Alpine Butterfly Loop is really easy and quick to tie in the bight of the rope. Once the Alpine Butterfly has been tied and dressed securely and properly, it is less prone to shake loose or fall apart.

How Strong is the Alpine Butterfly Loop

The Alpine Butterfly Loop and the Alpine Butterfly Bend are often used by climbers. Not only is it a strong and secure knot, but it is easy to spot if it is tied incorrectly. The Advantage of the Alpine Butterfly is it’s strength. When you look at the Strength of Knot Chart, you will see that the Alpine Butterfly sits proudly at the top of the list.

All knots tied into a rope will reduce it’s strength. So by knowing which knot will retain as much strength as possible, you will be able to calculate just how strong your rope is, after you have bypassed the damage.

How to Fix a Damaged Section of Rope Video

In this video, you will learn how to bypass a damaged section of rope using the Alpine Butterfly Loop.