"This manual is a guide and basic reference for personnel whose duties require the use of rigging. It is intended for use in training and as a reference manual for field operations. It covers the types of rigging and the application of fiber rope, wire rope, and chains used in various combinations to raise or move heavy loads. It includes basic instructions on knots, hitches, splices, lashing, and tackle systems. Safety precautions and requirements for the various operations are listed, as well as rules of thumb for rapid safe-load calculations."-From the Preface.