Anchor Points
Tie your rope to an anchor point, making sure your anchor point does not obstruct the rope. The anchor point also should not have sharp edges that could cut through the rope or compromise its strength by fraying it. Make sure your anchor point is solid and firmly grounded and that you can retrieve the rope from below. Common anchor points include trees and rocks.
Gloves
Always wear gloves when rappelling to prevent rope burns. Make a slow descent, using small steps, to avoid losing your footing and sliding down the rope. You can seriously damage your hands on the thick ropes used for rappelling.
Rope Inspection
You can't inspect your rope too much. Check for frayed, weakened or worn sections, cuts and burns. Also, never step on the rope, which can cause tiny pieces of rock to gradually cut the fibers and weaken it.
Beginners
Beginners should practice on a short rock face no more than 10 feet high. Make sure there is room for a safe landing if you make a mistake; even a 10-foot drop can be dangerous. Use a rope with a belay device attached around your waist. A belay device essentially acts as a break to stop the friction if you fall. Tie the belay rope with a simple bowline knot or a two-loop bowline knot looped at the end of the rope for increased safety.
Descending
When you first begin rappelling you may swing back and forth. The way to prevent this is to plant your feet firmly apart. Keep your feet flat against the face of the rock and keep your spine straight. Always look down at the route you are following and ease up on your guide hand to reduce friction. Your guide hand is placed above the belay device friction brake.
Speed
Some people seem to glide down the face of a rock while others take much longer. You can control the speed of your descent, but rappelling should never become a race; at least until you are very experienced. Control your speed by adjusting the grip on your brake hand--the hand that grips the rope below the descending device. The hand that holds the rope above the guidance device is used to maintain your balance.
