rcwild
06-30-2005, 07:20 AM
A group of five people were descending a canyon in Arizona. At the first rappel the rope was set up with a biner block. The first person rappelled to the bottom without a problem. When the second person stepped off, the rope slipped and he fell 15 feet to the bottom. During the fall, he bumped his head on the wall. He was not wearing a helmet. Injuries included an open "goose egg" above his right eye, skinned knuckles and other minor abrasions.
I heard about the incident indirectly through a member of a group that came behind the first group. This person suspected the accident was caused by a stiff new rope coming out of an unlocked carabiner.
I later communicated directly with the member of the first group that set up the biner block. He wasn't sure if the problem was caused by the stiff rope or if he simply did not tie the clove hitch correctly.
Lessons to be learned:
(1) Clove hitches are secure IF they are set. Once you have tied a clove hitch on the backbone of the carabiner, TIGHTEN IT DOWN! Especially important if you are using a new, stiff rope.
(2) Use a buddy check system. Have someone check your rigging. We're all human and can make mistakes. Give someone else an opportunity to catch any mistakes you might have made. Not a bad idea for each person to recheck the system just before he/she leans back. It's your life. Take responsibility for it.
(3) WEAR A HELMET! A helmet should be one of the first pieces of gear you purchase ... unless you just don't give a damn about your skull or the gray matter it contains.
OTHER NOTES: It was suggested that a locking carabiner should have been used instead of a non-locker. If the clove hitch is tighten down properly, this shouldn't matter, but nothing wrong with a little extra security. Also; I have witnessed a number of people tying clove hitches on the end of a carabiner. Wrong. Always tie it on the backbone of the carabiner.
I heard about the incident indirectly through a member of a group that came behind the first group. This person suspected the accident was caused by a stiff new rope coming out of an unlocked carabiner.
I later communicated directly with the member of the first group that set up the biner block. He wasn't sure if the problem was caused by the stiff rope or if he simply did not tie the clove hitch correctly.
Lessons to be learned:
(1) Clove hitches are secure IF they are set. Once you have tied a clove hitch on the backbone of the carabiner, TIGHTEN IT DOWN! Especially important if you are using a new, stiff rope.
(2) Use a buddy check system. Have someone check your rigging. We're all human and can make mistakes. Give someone else an opportunity to catch any mistakes you might have made. Not a bad idea for each person to recheck the system just before he/she leans back. It's your life. Take responsibility for it.
(3) WEAR A HELMET! A helmet should be one of the first pieces of gear you purchase ... unless you just don't give a damn about your skull or the gray matter it contains.
OTHER NOTES: It was suggested that a locking carabiner should have been used instead of a non-locker. If the clove hitch is tighten down properly, this shouldn't matter, but nothing wrong with a little extra security. Also; I have witnessed a number of people tying clove hitches on the end of a carabiner. Wrong. Always tie it on the backbone of the carabiner.