ORCHID PARK SECONDARY SCHOOL

National Police Cadet Corps

Campcraft – Seizing and Whipping (Notes)

Rank & Name: _________________________________ Level: Sec _____ Date: __________

Terms and Definitions

Terms Definitions
Seizing bind two ropes, a rope to an object / two parts of the rope together with a string.
Whipping bind the ends of a rope to prevent fraying (“opening up”) with a string.

Seizing

Method:
1. Divide the string in half by making a loop around one of the ropes such that the string in between the
two ropes is on the inside.
2. Bring the string on the outside of the 1st rope across the two ropes.
3. Coil (inwards) the string neatly and tightly around the two ropes such that the string in between the
two ropes is secured in place.
4. When the width of the coiling is equal to the diameter of the ropes, make a loop around one of the
rope such that the string is in between the two ropes.
5. Coil (on top of the 1st coil) the string neatly and tightly around the two ropes with the other end of the
string such that the 2nd coil lies in the grove formed by the 1st coil.
6. Make a loop around one of the rope such that the string is in between the two ropes and in opposite
direction to the other end.
7. Frap one round neatly and tightly the two ends of the string around the two coils in opposite
directions.
8. Tie half a Square Knot (Overhand Knot) such that the knot is in between the two ropes.
9. Frap one more round neatly and tightly.
10. Tie 2nd half of the Square Knot such that the knot is in between the two ropes.

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Remarks:
• When making the 2nd coil, do not pull so tight that the 1st coil is separated.

• The diameter of the string for seizing should be 112 to 1 8 of the diameter of the rope and its length

should be 36 centimetre for every 1 centimetre of diameter of the rope.

• An Overhand Knot (step 1) with an alternate coiling for the 1st coil (step 3) can be used for extra
security.

• To form an eye, three to four seizings should be used, where the seizing nearest to the eye should be
tied with alternate coiling for the 1st coil.

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Whipping

Simple Whipping
Method:
1. Form a bight at one end of the string.
2. Place the bight on the rope such that it is parallel to the side of the rope (in either direction).
3. Bring the longer end of the string across the shorter end.
4. Coil (towards the bight) neatly and tightly around the rope and the bight with the longer end of the
string.
5. When the width of the coiling is equal to the diameter of the rope, insert the longer end in through the
bight.
6. Pull the shorter end of the string to tighten (until the bight is under the coiling).

Remarks:
• Do not pull the shorter end of the string too tight (step 6) as the bight may end up on the other side of
the coil.

• The diameter of the string for whipping should be less than 1 8 of the diameter of the rope and its

length should be equal to the diameter of the rope.

• Ropes made from natural fibre should be whipped with strings made from natural fibre and ropes
made from synthetic fibre should be whipped with strings made from synthetic fibre.
• For ropes made from synthetic fibre, whipping coupled with fusing is used to prevent the rope from
fraying.
• For fusing, use a candle or small lamps. Do not use a lighter especially when the duration is long.

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West Country Whipping
Method:
1. Tie an Overhand Knot around the rope.
2. Tie another Overhand Knot around the rope on the opposite side of the rope.
3. Repeat steps 1 ~ 2 till the length of the whipping is equal to the diameter of the rope.
4. Tie a Square Knot.

Sailmaker’s Whipping (for Laid Rope)

Method:
1. Un-twist 5 centimetres of the rope.
2. Form a loop around the middle strand of the rope.
3. Re-twist the rope (in the original manner).
4. Coil (outwards) neatly and tightly around the rope with the longer end of the string.
5. When the width of the coiling is equal to the diameter of the rope, place the loop around over the same
strand which it was looped in the beginning.
6. Pull the shorter end of the string to tighten.
7. Bring the shorter end up to the end of the rope, following the groove of the rope.
8. Tie a square knot with the ends of the string such that the knot is hidden in between the strands of the
rope.

Top View

Remarks:
• For a laid rope with four strands, form two loops (step 2) around the opposite strands.

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