What should be done to prevent rappelling off the end of a rope?

• A. Tie a stopper knot at the end of the rope
• B. Tie an overhand knot
• C. Use a carabiner keeper
• D. Tie a figure-eight knot

Answer: (D)

When rappelling, you need a solid end stopper to stop the rope from slipping back through the device or past the rope end. Tying a figure-eight knot at the end of the rope creates a reliable, easy-to-verify stopper that won’t pull through under tension. Its larger, distinct shape makes it resistant to slipping and easier to untie after loading, compared with simpler knots that can jam or be hard to loosen. The figure-eight end is a standard, dependable way to ensure you don’t rappel off the end.

The other options don’t provide the same combination of security and ease of release: a simple stopper knot can be less reliable under load and harder to untie after use, a carabiner keeper doesn’t address the rope end slipping, and an overhand knot is more prone to jamming.