🔍 Key Concepts

• Synthetic vs. natural fibers and how they behave in water • The typical use of throw lines / heaving lines on boats and what they’re made of • Relative density/specific gravity of different rope materials compared to water

💭 Think About

• Think about which rope material you most often see used for lifelines, life rings, and rescue lines that must stay on the surface of the water. • Ask yourself: are traditional natural fiber ropes generally heavier or lighter than water when they are waterlogged? • Consider which common synthetic ropes are known for absorbing water versus repelling it and how that would affect whether they float.

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which material is commonly used for rescue/throw lines because it floats and is easy to see. • Recall which materials tend to absorb water and sink once saturated (especially natural fibers). • Before choosing, ask: does this material have a lower density than water (more likely to float) or a higher density (more likely to sink)?