Description

A Prusik is a friction hitch or knot used to put a loop of cord around a rope.

Use

Applied in climbing, canyoneering, mountaineering, caving, rope rescue and by arborists.

Releasing

After being put under a great deal of weight, the Prusik can be quite constricted and difficult to untie.
This varies, depending on the diameter of the primary rope.

Security

Prusiks are ineffective upon frozen wet ropes. This is due to the necessity of friction for the Prusik to function.

Other names

Prusik knot, Prusik hitch.

Tying

The Prusik is tied by wrapping the prusik loop around the rope a number of times, usually 3-5 times depending on
the materials, and then back through itself, forming a barrel around the rope with a tail hanging out the middle.
When the tail is weighted, the turns tighten and make a bend in the rope.