rcwild
07-13-2005, 05:29 AM
Situation: 6' 6", 280-pound, barrel-chested man. Wearing his pack on his back. Nearing the end of the rope on the upper pitch of a multi-pitch rappel. His center of gravity is so high that he flips upside down.
He managed to right himself after releasing his pack, but what could he have done differently to avoid the problem from occurring? There are several solutions. The correct choice will depend on the situation.
Dry and Semi-Dry Rappels
Solutions include hanging your pack from your harness or rappel device, lowering your pack, or wearing a chest harness.
Hang Your Pack
Hanging your pack from your harness or your rappel device lowers your center of gravity and greatly reduces the chances of becoming inverted. There are pros and cons between hanging from your harness vs hanging from your rappel device. Thought should be given to how low it should be hung so it stays out of your way.
Lower Your Pack
You can lower everyone's packs on the end of a rope, but it is more efficient to set up a zip line between a person on top and another on the bottom.
Chest Harness
A chest harness provides a second connection point to the rope, at chest level, that is intended to keep you upright, parallel to the rope.
Wet Rappels
Wearing a pack in a waterfall increases the likelihood of becoming inverted. The force of the water hitting the pack can easily flip you upside down. If you are rappelling in a waterfall or landing in current or a hydraulic, you can hang your pack or lower your pack, but you should avoid using a chest harness.
Hang Your Pack
Additional thought should be given to how low your pack is hung. If there is a serious hydraulic at the base of the rappel, don't let your pack get there before you and suck you under.
Lower Your Packs
You can lower everyone's packs on the end of a rope, but it is more efficient to set up a zip line between a person on top and another on the bottom.
Chest Harness
While addressing the inversion issue, using a chest harness creates other more serious problems. When landing in current or in a hydraulic at the base of a waterfall, it is critical that a person be able to get clear of the rope and their pack quickly. Using a chest harness and wearing your pack on your back can create serious complications.
He managed to right himself after releasing his pack, but what could he have done differently to avoid the problem from occurring? There are several solutions. The correct choice will depend on the situation.
Dry and Semi-Dry Rappels
Solutions include hanging your pack from your harness or rappel device, lowering your pack, or wearing a chest harness.
Hang Your Pack
Hanging your pack from your harness or your rappel device lowers your center of gravity and greatly reduces the chances of becoming inverted. There are pros and cons between hanging from your harness vs hanging from your rappel device. Thought should be given to how low it should be hung so it stays out of your way.
Lower Your Pack
You can lower everyone's packs on the end of a rope, but it is more efficient to set up a zip line between a person on top and another on the bottom.
Chest Harness
A chest harness provides a second connection point to the rope, at chest level, that is intended to keep you upright, parallel to the rope.
Wet Rappels
Wearing a pack in a waterfall increases the likelihood of becoming inverted. The force of the water hitting the pack can easily flip you upside down. If you are rappelling in a waterfall or landing in current or a hydraulic, you can hang your pack or lower your pack, but you should avoid using a chest harness.
Hang Your Pack
Additional thought should be given to how low your pack is hung. If there is a serious hydraulic at the base of the rappel, don't let your pack get there before you and suck you under.
Lower Your Packs
You can lower everyone's packs on the end of a rope, but it is more efficient to set up a zip line between a person on top and another on the bottom.
Chest Harness
While addressing the inversion issue, using a chest harness creates other more serious problems. When landing in current or in a hydraulic at the base of a waterfall, it is critical that a person be able to get clear of the rope and their pack quickly. Using a chest harness and wearing your pack on your back can create serious complications.