Which is a characteristic of a rescue knot that helps it stay in place when not loaded?

• A. Easy to tie
• B. Easy to identify
• C. Easy to untie
• D. Won't work loose when not under a load

Answer: (D)

In rope rescue, the important idea is that a knot stays secure even when nothing is pulling on it. A rescue knot must not loosen on its own when the load is removed, because rope can shift through anchors or devices and the knot could otherwise slip and create a danger. That is exactly what “won’t work loose when not under a load” describes—the knot remains in place without tension, providing security during repositioning and handling.

Being easy to tie helps speed and ease of use, and being easy to identify helps teammates recognize the knot quickly, while being easy to untie is valuable after the system is loaded and then released. However, none of these specifically ensure the knot stays put when there is no load, which is the critical safety trait in this context.