When securing a load, where should the bow be placed on the shackle?

• A. In the Fixed Side of the Choke
• B. On the Rope
• C. In the Running Side of the Choke
• D. On the Pin

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how the load is distributed when a rope is choked around a shackle. The bow of the shackle is the curved, load-bearing part, and the running side is the side where the rope pulls as the load is applied. Placing the bow on the running side means the rope bite sits against the curved body of the shackle, letting the load be distributed through the shackle rather than stressing the pin. This gives a tighter bite, reduces rope wear, and minimizes the chance that the pin will loosen or fail under tension.

If you were to put the bow on the fixed side, the tension would tend to pull more directly on the pin, increasing the risk of rotation, loosening, or damaging the rope where it contacts the pin. So the bow belongs on the running side to keep the load path smooth, secure, and aligned with the shackle’s strongest surface.