Which indicators show a properly tied figure-eight knot?

• A. The knot forms a loose loop that can move along the rope.
• B. The knot resembles the number eight, tail goes through, and the knot lies flat with the tail secured.
• C. The tail is tucked inside the harness pocket.
• D. The knot is hidden behind the climber.

Answer: (B)

A properly tied figure-eight knot is secure because it creates a distinct eight-shaped bend on the rope, with the tail threaded through to lock the knot, and the whole knot sitting flat and visible with the tail secured. This combination—the eight shape, the tail passing through, and the flat, secured appearance—shows the knot is dressed correctly and won’t slip under load. The other scenarios describe configurations that are insecure or hard to inspect: a loose loop that can slide along the rope means it isn’t a fixed stopper; tucking the tail inside a pocket or hiding the knot behind the climber prevents easy verification and can hide a fault.