Figure of 8

The figure of eight knot is used when you are climbing or abseling. It is when you are fixing your self to the ropes. There are two main reasons why the figure of 8 is used and this first one is that is is impossible to come loose if tied properly and that it can carry the climbers weight and the second resaon is that it can easily be untied by the person at the top once the climber is safe.