Knot Challenged

[spectrum]

I have had a recurring problem of knots untying underwater. I'm talking about cave line in spring straps, on buoys or other lanyards. My knots seem tight and sound but somewhere along the way when submerged Harry Houdini is following me around untying stuff.

Can I get some suggestions that will work well with cave line in the water? Preferably;y from those shown on this site.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[do it easy]

What kinds of knots are you using?

I use a hunter's bend to secure bolt snaps, but most people around here like this from DiveRiteExpress

 

[spectrum]

What kinds of knots are you using?

I use a hunter's bend to secure bolt snaps, but most people around here like this from DiveRiteExpress

Heck I don't know. Just assorted knots I have used since I was a kid. Some of them have worked great through years of camping but go to heck in the water. I'll check that link.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[Noviz]

Just a thought, but sometimes it's not the knot, it's the line. Some is real slippy.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

Whatever type of knot you use is up to you. The trick I use is to take a lighter or match and melt the two ends of the line together on top of the knot. If the two ends of the line are melted together it is pretty hard for any knot to untie itself.

Just be careful to only melt the ends of the line and not the part that is actually the knot. If you melt the knot into a giant blob it will probably weaken the line to the point of breaking when you can least afford it.

Mark Vlahos

 

[Willie]

A friend of mine, puts one drop of super glue on each of his finished knots. I havent tried it yet, but am keeping it in the back of my mind.

Willie

 

[knotical]

The knot, the rope material, movement, and water all make a difference. I wonder if some of your problem isn’t movement over time, rather than just the water.

Several excellent knots became less effective with the transition from natural rope fiber to synthetic.
For example, the bowline is a workhorse knot, but with synthetic rope I prefer the water bowline: http://www.geocities.com/roo_two/waterbowline.html
Other times it can be as simple as adding a half hitch or two with the loose end.
Or you could try using different rope
For each application there are a variety of knots to choose from – there is no simple, single answer.

Following is a suggested knot to try in each of the classic categories:
Binding knot (e.g. to tie a package): constrictor (on the website you referenced, under boating)
Bend (to join two lines): figure eight bend (on the website you mentioned, under climbing)
Loop: water bowline, mentioned above.
Hitch: (to join a line to an object): anchor bend (on the website you referenced, under boating)

Another favorite is the vibration-proof hitch. Unfortunately, I haven’t found it on the web, only in Maria Costantino’s handbook of knots.

 

[DennisS]

There's to old agage "If you can't tie a knot, tie a lot"

 

[Allison Finch]

I've been cave diving and spelunking since the 70's. It is a well known fact that a creature called a "hodag" lives in all caves and lives to create mischief. They will steal things from you, like your bag of carbide etc. However, they usually bring you something in exchange. I'm sure they are untying your knots.

 

[Mike Newman]

A friend of mine, puts one drop of super glue on each of his finished knots. I havent tried it yet, but am keeping it in the back of my mind.

Willie

That Super Glue trick is exactly what I do - and I've never had a knot slip.

But I liked the link above from Dive Rite Express - I'll try it too..