WHAT’S THE HITCH?

WHAT’S THE HITCH?

TRAINING NOTEBOOK

Equipment failures should never occur during the heat of battle. Given the right circumstances, even the smallest equipment failure can pose a threat to life or property.

In July 1989, units of the Ramona (CA) Fire Department were first-in at a fast-moving brushfire on steep terrain. While brush rigs from the California Department of Forestry (CDF) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) were still responding, three Ramona firefighters donned wildland hose packs and began a progressive hoselay to attack the fire from its left flank. Even though these hose packs were tied with the very best “quick release” knot available, one of the three packs fell apart and had to be abandoned in the ashes—-far short of the fire front. Of the seven remaining hose packs on the brush rig, two more fell apart for the same reason: premature spilling of the hose because the quick-release knots opened.

By their very nature, quick-release knots are not very dependable. So, after reading three knot books and talking with CDF and USFS personnel, 1 set about the task of finding a better knot. I sat down with a piece of nylon cord and began tying knots around my knees. I was ready to give up and reconcile myself to the continued use of the CDF/USFS knot when I chanced upon the knot that I call the Johnson hitch. It is a combination of the becket bend and a little-known seaman’s knot called the toggled bight. It is tied in a loop and has the strength of the becket bend while providing the quick release needed for wildland hose packs. The Johnson hitch is explained and illustrated in its application to the wildland hose pack.

The Johnson Hitch (Used with the Wildland Hose Pack)

This procedure works best with two people, both using pair of needlenose pliars.

After making a 30″-diameter loop of 1 ½” hose, form it into a horseshoe, with the female end pushed up inside the center.

The female has to be slacked by about 12″ to 14″ to allow for shoulder straps.

This loop is created by the 12″ to 14″ slack illustrated above Noice where male and female couplings are.

Continued on page 14.

Cut off an appropriate length of nylon cord (4 or 6 feet long) and tie a bowline in one end (loop #1).

Wrap cord around horseshoed hose at the upper or lower main tie position and pull a loop (#2) through loop #1.

Using a pair of pliars, pull and hold the cord as tight as possible while you tie the rest of the knot.

Once you have passed the cord through loop 2, remove as much of the slack from the knot as possible and then slowly release the pliars. The knot will lock itself. Below is the complete knot.

Note that the ends of the ropes that release the loops have been tied together so that the entire length is freed with just one pull.

A double hose pack before deployment. To release pack, pull straight out on cord holding outside pack and it will fall to the ground.

Pack falls to the ground in a horseshoe configuration.

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