Tips & Warnings
When descending more-than-vertical slopes, always lock off the rope using both hands. Move your dominant hand down the rope while you lock it off with the other, then let the rope flow and repeat.
Never loose hand contact with the rope.
A buddy at the bottom of the slope can act as a brake by pulling on the rope below you if he sees you in trouble.
Rap jumping is used by the British Special Air Services to descend from helicopters. Training and skill allows them to use their less-dominant hand to control the rope. They can then dive out fast, fire their weapon and continue to run off the rope upon landing. With skill, a much greater amount of control over a rope descent can be performed by rap jumping.
When descending more-than-vertical slopes, always lock off the rope using both hands. Move your dominant hand down the rope while you lock it off with the other, then let the rope flow and repeat.
Never loose hand contact with the rope.
A buddy at the bottom of the slope can act as a brake by pulling on the rope below you if he sees you in trouble.
Rap jumping is used by the British Special Air Services to descend from helicopters. Training and skill allows them to use their less-dominant hand to control the rope. They can then dive out fast, fire their weapon and continue to run off the rope upon landing. With skill, a much greater amount of control over a rope descent can be performed by rap jumping.
Never repel alone, unless you are experienced. A wrong move could be fatal.
Article Written By Benjamin Williams
Ben Williams is an award-winning reporter and freelance writer based out of Colorado. He has written for conglomerates of newspapers and magazines, supplying news, features, editorial and opinion. While running an Energy Services and Consulting firm, he now writes for multiple websites including the news site, Examiner.com.
