What is the knot efficiency of a water knot?

The knot efficiency of a water knot is approximately 64%. This efficiency reflects how much of the rope's original strength is retained after the knot is tied.

When a knot is tied in a rope, it creates points of stress and potential failure within the rope fibers. The water knot, commonly used for joining two ends of webbing, has been tested and shown to maintain about 64% of the original strength of the webbing under load. This is critical for rescuers to understand as it directly impacts the safety and effectiveness of their operations. A higher knot efficiency means better performance and reliability when lives are at stake.

Understanding knot efficiency is essential for assessing the overall safety of equipment and rigging systems in rescue scenarios. The water knot's efficiency is important for scenarios where reliability in joining webbing, particularly in climbing, canyoneering, and rescue operations, is crucial for safe practices.