What is the girth hitch used for?

• A. Used to anchor rope or webbing as a 'choker' is the preferred method of attaching a piece of webbing to the foot-end of a backboard or metal utter when using a 'diamond weave' to lash a patient
• B. Used to join two pieces of webbing
• C. Used to tie two ropes for load bearing purposes
• D. Hauling, ascending, and self-rescue

Answer: (A)

The girth hitch is a quick way to make a loop that goes around an object and attaches rope or webbing to that object. In rescue setups, it’s used to anchor webbing to the foot-end of a backboard or litter, forming a choker that serves as the anchor point for a diamond-weave lash to secure a patient. It’s favored here because it creates a secure, adjustable anchor around a frame without needing to tie complex knots around the entire object, and it can be tied fast.

Joining two pieces of webbing, tying two ropes for a load-bearing connection, or hauling/ascending/self-rescue all rely on different methods or knots better suited to those tasks, so they don’t fit the typical use of a girth hitch.