ng and easy knot advancement. If a good compromise cannot be found, the cord or loop being used is not suitable for use. Most likely, it is too stiff. To tighten the knot, shorten the cord or loop, or add another warp or braid.Lightly squeeze some of the warp of the knot as the knot is being weighted. This creates sufficient contact and drag between the knot and the climbing line to allow the knot to tighten.Overly rapid descents:Don't pull the knot down too far. The actions that are most likely to result in this problem are pulling down hard on the know and pulling down quickly on the knot. Don't do those things. Instead, use a soft touch and apply pressure to the knot gradually. Pull the knot down only far enough to allow a slow descent. Keep in mind that the Machard tresse is a very responsive knot. Using it for descents is like driving a car with power steering. Little easy movements yield big results. Big quick movements will send you lurching all over the place.Practice with the knot while on the ground. Become thoroughly familiar with it before using it aloft.To stop a descent, pull up on the wraps of the knot, squeeze the wraps against the climbing rope, or simply let go of the knot.Specific Recommendations for Tying the KnotUse 5/16 inch Ultra-Tech to tie the knot. Ultra-Tech is a high performance, double braid sailboat made by Samson. The characteristics of 5/16 inch Ultra-Tech make it extremely well suited for use in a friction hitch.Use a cord , not a loop, to tie the knot. The knot will be more compact and easy to reach. It will also be easier to tie. The length of the untied Ultra-Tech cord should be 49-50 inches. The jacket of the cord should be milked tight, and the cord's ends should be tightly whipped. This will prevent the core from poking out between the jacket strands.Tie a double fisherman's loop in each end of the cord. (See Figure 2.) The length of the cord with these two knots should be 27-31 inches when the cor...
