Issue 641 – May 12, 2020

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Hi Andy,

Inspired by Ken King’s recent posting of the famous Ashley Book of Knots, here’s a question…

Let’s say I need to join the ends of two hanks of the same kind (and diameter) of rope. Assuming the rope is woven like parachute cord and not “laid” or a monofilament, which one of these knots would be strongest?
Bowline
Square
Granny
Double fisherman’s
Rethreaded Figure Eight
Rethreaded Figure Eight with stoppers?
Overhand

And let’s assume that mere “convenience” isn’t an issue here? (Mystery Scouter)

I guess I’d have to say “it depends.” Para cord, in the first place, comes in about a half-dozen tensile strengths, so what’s missing in the question is: Why do these two pieces need to be tied together, plus will they ever need to be untied and if so, how quickly?

If we’re talking about two ropes tied around two trees and connected in-between as a temporary wash line, then a square knot would be the strongest “quick-release” knot.

But if we’re talking about hauling an injured hiker up a cliff face, then a double fisherman’s knot might be the strongest knot that won’t need untying anytime soon.

Anyway, it’s a good question and I’d love to know if there’s a definitive answer!

BTW, paracord (any type or color) makes a great-looking Turk’s head neckerchief slide! Get every patrol to make identical slides for each patrol member (but no two patrols the same) plus a totally unique one made by the SPL and his or her team of youth troop leaders, and no slide will ever get lost or misplaced ever again! (PS, Troop Guides wear the same as the PLs their coaching.)
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Hi Andy,

I was puzzled a few weeks back with that “Confused Scout Parent” comment on how their troop requires a Scout to have six months in a given rank before requesting a board of review (which you accurately stated isn’t the Scout’s responsibility to request—a mistake many of us have made).

But ranks other than Life and Eagle can be earned in less than six months, and frequently are. Star requires four months in a position of responsibility. The ranks up to and including First Class don’t have any time-based requirements other than the 30-day period for the Tenderfoot fitness re-evaluation (and plenty of hot air has been expelled debating the meaning of “30 days” in that context!). Making a Scout wait six months between all ranks is absolutely (!) adding to the requirements.

So, when a Scout “believes he or she has completed all the requirements” for his next rank and has a Scoutmaster conference, that Scout can and should be able to scoot right over to the committee for the board of review. The committee’s job is to help make Scouting happen, not to throw obstacles in their way. (Frank Maynard, UC, Mighty Ottawa District, Great Lakes Field Service Council, MI, “I used to be a Bobwhite”)

Yes, you’re absolutely on the money about different tenures for different ranks. Why didn’t I include these? Well, I have a tendency (sometimes but not always) to stick closely to the question and not expound on larger issues relating to it. For this one, I opted to make an enlarged point about the fact that it’s not being the Scout’s responsibility to start the process for his or her own board of review. But I left the point about other tenure lengths alone. So that’s for that further, and important, point.

And you’re also absolutely right about troop committees (and Scoutmasters, too!)… They’re there to be gate OPENERS; not gatekeepers!

(We can thank Frank LoVecchio, BSA National Advancement Specialist, for the opener vs. keeper analogy!)
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Dear Andy,

As the continues to maintain social distancing, Scouting has been interrupted with meetings and campouts cancelled. Scouts (and adults) now have newly-found time that they can devote to Scouting in creative ways. Advancement doesn’t have to stop as long as the Scout and Scoutmaster or merit badge counselor maintain both the pre-COVID19 Safe Scouting and current “safe living” guidelines. Do you have any advice for Scouts, Scouters, and Merit Badge Counselors to keep advancement momentum going?

Wearing my Merit Badge Counselor “hat,” I just put this together for my “home troop” that their Scoutmaster can distribute and use…

Scouts: Among the advancement opportunities you might pursue during this COVID-19 interlude are Merit Badges. So if you’re interested, here’s a way to keep on pluggin’…

You need a “blue card.” So, once you call me to tell me what you’re interested in, I can sign and mail one to you or I can leave it outside my front door for you to pick up (using a glove). I’ll attach a note with the name and contact info for at least one counselor.

Once you have your card, call the counselor as you always would.

Then, you and your counselor can figure out how to safely complete requirements by phone, e-mail, Zoom/ GoToMeeting/ Skype/ Facetime, or a face-to-face meeting with appropriate distance (for instance, on two lawn chairs in public on your counselor’s driveway or front lawn). (Rinse afterward and repeat.)

When you’re done, your counselor can sign your blue card, the two remaining segments of which you can obtain when your counselor backs away from their chair and you collect it. Then you retain your own personal segment.

Next, you can return the “unit” segment to your Scoutmaster by mail, or by leaving at their front door (and letting them know it’s there!).

Checking the Web, it appears that paper isn’t a likely transmitter of COVID-19, but families will want to make their own decisions. If a “virtual blue card” is used, we can clean up the paperwork when we get the all-clear and life resumes to normal. An exception would be a Scout working toward a rank with a deadline (notably, Life Scouts approaching their 18th birthday). (Mitch Erickson, Commissioner & MBC, Patriots’ Path Council, NJ)

This is a well thought-through approach to merit badges—thanks! If some folks find something in there that they think they can do better, well just go for it!

Till next week, please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive!
Happy Scouting!
Andy  (“I used to be an Owl!)

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Write to askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you’d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that’s what we’ll do.)

Although these columns are copyrighted, any reader has my permission to quote or reproduce any columns or column parts so long as you attribute authorship: “Ask Andy” by Andy McCommish.

[No. 640 – 5/5/2020 – Copyright © Andy McCommish 2020]