How To Tie A Prusik Knot

Knowing how to tie a prusik knot is required knowledge for those who use ropes in climbing. Those who know how to tie a prusik knot are those that are using the proper knots for weight bearing in either direction. This is a typical safety practice for those who use ropes in their climbing ventures. The prusik knot is useful because it is knotted around another rope or harness and can actually take weight in either direction as either side of the prusik knot  is as strong as the other.

1. The first step in learning how to tie a prusik knot is to gather the required materials. You will need two lengths of rope. To practice, you may use one length as short as six to eight inches and one length about two feet long.
2. To learn how to tie a prusik knot, you should first be able to tie a double or triple fisherman's knot. If using the practice lengths suggested above, the double or triple fisherman's knot should be tied using the longer of the two ropes. This knot is the knot that is going to form the "prusik loop". The prusik loop must be created in order to be able to create the prusik knot.
3. After creating the prusik loop, lay the shorter rope on a table or ask someone to hold it for you.  Place the longer rope so that it is folded in half over the shorter rope. With the fisherman's knot facing you and centered, the longer rope should fold over the shorter one so that you can hold the fisherman's knot in one hand as well as the opposite loop of the longer rope, with the shorter rope dividing it in half.
4. You may now begin working the prusik knot. To do this, you will pass one loop of the longer rope through the other end. As you pass the loop through, it should snug up on the shorter rope. The fisherman's knot should still be centered and the longer rope should lie evenly on either side of the rope.
5. Continue to loop the rope through. Repeat step four so that you have looped the rope through at least three times. Each time you pull one loop through the other, be sure that the rope is pulled snug and that the rope lies evenly on the sides. The fisherman's knot should stay centered at all times.
6. Check the durability of the prusik knot. Once the loop has passed through at least three times, you may test the load bearing strength by tying the smaller rope onto something and pulling the prusik knot either way. You may loop it through more than three times, but three is the minimum. The key to this knot is the symmetry that forms it. This is what makes it able to bear wear in either direction.