Page 98 - Rappelling

the rappel, there will be far less rope weight below overhang. If the overhang forms a big roof or ceil-
you, and less friction at your rappel device. ing, getting past the lip and into a free-hanging
As you progress beyond that first rappel, you’ll position can be awkward. Keep your feet at the very
encounter some common rappelling problems lip of the overhang and lean way back in your har-
that demand special attention. Sometimes you’ll ness until your feet are above waist level, then push
encounter knots or tangles in your rappel rope. off slightly and lower yourself quickly but smoothly
You’ll need to stop, mid-rappel, pull up the rope until you’re hanging in the air. This takes practice,
below you, and untangle it. The easiest way to do and is tricky for a beginner.
this (if you’re not using an autoblock backup) is Once you safely reach the end of the rappel, or
with a leg wrap, simply wrapping the rope around the base of the cliff, unclip your rappel device from
your leg several times. the rope and yell “off rappel” as the signal to let the
Another common problem is negotiating an next rappeller know they can proceed. Walk away
from the immediate base of the cliff so that you’re
not in the fall line in case any rocks are dislodged
by the next rappeller.

Non-Mechanical Rappel Methods

Fast Roping

This simple but highly effective technique is used
primarily in military applications for quick inser-
tion of special forces personnel from a helicopter
to a ship, building, or enemy territory for hostage
rescue and tactical assaults. A large-diameter rope
is deployed (as thick as one you’d find in a gym-
nasium for rope climbing), and the soldier simply
slides down the rope like a fireman sliding down
a fire pole, clutching the rope with both hands
and pinching the rope between the feet. Heat-
resistant gloves are a must. Elite Navy SEALs have
fast roped up to 90 feet from helicopters, although
the technique is considered high risk and has been
responsible for numerous injuries. Safe fast roping
technique is considerably more difficult to accom-
plish while wearing a heavy pack, which is usually
required for special operations. The great advan-
tage of fast roping over other rappelling methods
for team insertion is the speed at which it can be
accomplished, and the fact that multiple personnel
can be on the same rope at the same time, greatly
The leg wrap is useful if you need to stop
temporarily to deal with rope tangles. expediting the insertion process.

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