Page 24 - Rappelling

Helmets the warning comes from 100 feet or more away,
you may want to look up, judge the trajectory, and
Rockfall is a constant threat while rappelling and is move aside accordingly. If the signal comes from
caused by your rope coming into contact with the just above you, and you haven’t seen it happen, you
cliff, particularly if you swing from side to side and might just want to hunker down and not look up,
especially if there is loose rock on the cliff. Be par- so as not to get hit in the face. Obviously, wearing a
ticularly aware when you are at the base of the cliff, helmet is a good idea when rappelling and hanging
especially if other rappellers are at the top, rigging out at the bottom of the cliff.
anchors and setting ropes, as rocks are easily dis- Whether or not you choose to wear a helmet
lodged by ropes being pulled around. If you are on is up to you, but be aware that many fatal climbing
the cliff or at the top of the cliff and dislodge a rock incidents could have been prevented by wearing a
(or any object), the universal signal is “ROCK!” helmet. Rockfall, whether caused by other rappel-
How loud the signal is yelled usually signifies the lers, the rope, or natural causes, is always a danger.
size of the rock. My closest calls in over thirty years Top brands of climbing helmets include Petzl, Black
of climbing have been with near-miss rockfalls. If Diamond, Mammut, and Camp USA.

Helmets increase safety in a cliff environment.

Equipment 13

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