Rappel Gear

[ferret_guy]

Has anyone considered somthing like this?
I think it would have limited applications but it might be something worth having because if you need it you really need it

[KentsOkay]

I just keep enough paracord about for such uses. A doubled over strand or two plus an improvised harness would be enough for me (in theory, haven't tried it yet).

[Aikibiker]

I have been looking at fire fighter bail out kits since they seem a bit more multifunctional WRT methods of securing the line and I like the simple desenders rigs they come with better then the figure 8 loop, but I like the idea of a dedicated molle pouch for the kit. The firefighter kits are meant to attach to their bunker gear and I don't have any of that stuff, but I have a ton of tactical gear hanging around.

[maldon007]

There are lots of ways to form a decent harnes from 1" strapping or even rope, paracord... ouch. I wouldnt use paracord as line, unless it was a real life/death emergency, get your 8 or bener hot, it would melt that thin stuff quick... Be easy to overload too, if you slip a bit & catch... Plus I live in florida so...

[KentsOkay]

I would never use paracord for rappelling except in a life or death situation. As much as I wish I rappelled out of buildings on a daily basis, I simply don't.

[Aikibiker]

Here is one of the devices I am talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=463ERVmt ... re=related

Video of techniques to use such a device in a typical US house:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K38As-h ... re=related

Edit I can't seem to embed the videos, but here are the links.

[Barr]

Paracord is the worst thing you could use to make an improvised swiss seat/rappelling rig, it's just to thin and it will cut off circulation to your limbs (and your yam sack).



Maybe you could weave one from paracord, maybe. Even then I probably still wouldn't use it.

[maldon007]

I loved the climbing up a wall, by kicking holes in it & using them as steps, sweet.

I had to do a similar thing recently when I dug myself too deep in a hole (one of my dogs passed & I wanted her deep)... Had to dig foot-holes in the side of the hole to climb out... Should have hung a rope from a tree nearby, before getting it that deep, but forgot (mind wasn't on practical things).

[Redbad]

You can violate the laws of your community and live to tell about it, but you can't violate the law of gravity and live to tell about it ...

Of all the activities in rock or high angle climbing, rappelling is the most dangerous, so be VERY careful about how you approach it.

If you need an emergency harness and belay device, you can use a runner (a sewn loop of nylon webbing that is purpose built for high angle work and which can be purchased at a climbing shop) and a locking carabiner. These take up little space.

However, you really will want to have a proper rope, which will take up space and the knowledge of how to set a bomb proof anchor. 550 Cord should NOT be considered unless the alternative is certain death.

What you might want to get is what is called an etrier (or several of them). This is a kind of webbing ladder which is light weight and packable.

[ferret_guy]

I would personally use one of these (as long as they were high quality witch it looks like they are) because it would pack smaller for a given decent leangh also you could attach it around an anchor back to a harness and descend (with half the effective rope length) to the ground and then unclip and pull down the rope (hopafualy without snags) you would just have to put something on the ledge to prevent rope damage.

[flsgear]

Sorry, first thing that came to mind

[Doctorr Fabulous]

I just keep enough paracord about for such uses. A doubled over strand or two plus an improvised harness would be enough for me (in theory, haven't tried it yet).

Paracord rappelling is a recipe for suicide. Trust me, drunk Marines try it all the time, woven, single strand, some really creative stuff too. It's just not cut out for that use. Instend, spend a hundred bucks (at most) and learn to make a swiss seat from climbing rope, a carabiner, and a lockign carabiner.

If you feel you might need emergency rappelling gear, get the gear and get the trainign. Otherwise just buy yourself a .45LC derringer to shoot yourself and your buddy when you need to rappel. It's a cleaner, less painful death, lighter, takes up less space, and it's quicker overall.

[Maverick299]

I'll second paracord as a really bad idea for any use in rappeling or climbing.

Those kits seem way over priced, you can get 100' of static 10 or 11mm rope, a carbiner and a figure 8 for less than $150. Just remember, static line is for rappeling, not climbing.

[emtmark]

Strictly speaking static line is for Decending and acending, the lack of stretch helps you to climb efficiently. Lead climbing is where the dynamic line comes into its own as an impact impulse absorber. Try jugging up one than the other and you will see what I mean. All those little bail out kits are static lines. 1" webbing is your friend almost as useful as paracord! Anchor slings haul slings hasty harness etc. great stuff! Rough figure from classes was 4,000 lbs. per wrap.

[sigboy40]

I can see making one of these for myself, using 8mm rope. This would allow you to pack a bag with enough line, and still have reasonable distance. You wouldnt wat to make a habit out of using it, but could. Include some 1" webbing too make a swiss seat out of and you are set.

Or just learn to do it without a harness (may not be applicable for buildings) http://www.backpacker.com/june_2008_technique_emergency_rappel/skills/12457

And use something similiar to this: http://unofficialnetworks.com/2011/05/08/8mm-30m-beal-rando-dry-cover-rope-gear-review/

If you have two or three ropes in a group of people, there isnt much you couldnt do.

[jamoni]

Guys, this is a thing you do not want to do without training.
Firefighters and .mil who use this stuff train with it, and hope they never have to use it. It's for "Dear god the stairs just exploded", not, "Hey, hold my beer and watch this!"

[KnightoftheRoc]

I've done a fair amount of tree work involving a harness, often suspended only by the rope I rigged further up in the tree. When your life literally hangs by a thread, you don't dick around with cheap thread. Buy quality rope and gear for it, learn how to use it properly, or just save time, and shoot yourself like doc said. You'll save everyone the hassle.

550 cord, as much as I like it, would have no place on my harness for anything other than tool lanyards. Making a bosun seat or other type of harness from it would be like using piano wire, with the only difference being that piano wire would probably last longer. Not that you'd want it to. I've seen how-to's on using 550 for making ascenders, harnesses, etc., and they've all had one thing in common- diagrams, not pictures. This is because these are designed by people who never go out and actually try to DO this stuff. Would/will 550 cord work? Sure- but the level of suck involved makes the expense of real gear seem like nothing, IMO. The level of suck involved when improvised gear fails is even higher, especially if you manage to live.

I notice that no one in the videos seemed to have a line connected to the middle of the belt line at the back- possibility there of perpetual suck if anything happens. Connecting to the front of a belt line, or the side, for weight bearing can result in a snapped spine real fast if you fall and get caught up short by the line. Rigging that to the middle of the back on the belt line allows the spine to bend in the only direction it's built to- still painful, possibly an injury as a result, but the odds of still being able to walk, feel your legs, and do all the other fun stuff below the belt line is a lot higher this way.

[KentsOkay]

All valid advice. I shall look into procuring some Bronson-spec rope.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

All valid advice. I shall look into procuring some Bronson-spec rope.

Ye and yer bloody rope...

Look into getting some practice with a Swiss seat as well. 10' of static line and two carabiners, and you have the rig that's helped hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Marines rappel down the dynamic line of the dreaded rappel tower, as well ad the mountain courses of California.

[sigboy40]

All valid advice. I shall look into procuring some Bronson-spec rope.

Ye and yer bloody rope...

Look into getting some practice with a Swiss seat as well. 10' of static line and two carabiners, and you have the rig that's helped hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Marines rappel down the dynamic line of the dreaded rappel tower, as well ad the mountain courses of California.

I know the proverbial, 10' of rope is awesome, but you can do the same thing with 1" webbing and be more comfortable.

[Projo]

As said above, use the right equipment. Most of the equipment we use can be found here.
http://www.lifesupportintl.com/catalog/Rescue_Swimmer_Gear-202-1.html

[Arkane]

I just keep enough paracord about for such uses. A doubled over strand or two plus an improvised harness would be enough for me (in theory, haven't tried it yet).

Paracord rappelling is a recipe for suicide. Trust me, drunk Marines try it all the time, woven, single strand, some really creative stuff too. It's just not cut out for that use. Instend, spend a hundred bucks (at most) and learn to make a swiss seat from climbing rope, a carabiner, and a lockign carabiner.

If you feel you might need emergency rappelling gear, get the gear and get the trainign. Otherwise just buy yourself a .45LC derringer to shoot yourself and your buddy when you need to rappel. It's a cleaner, less painful death, lighter, takes up less space, and it's quicker overall.

This. Back in the 80s we lost a Rappelmaster at Campbell who was skunked and tried to aussie with some kind of rigged up paracord on a bet off of a barracks. It was all good until that first brake. Think about it this way: Rappel rated rope is rated at 4500 lbs. of tensile strength and will stretch up to 1/3 it's length. Paracord ain't doing that.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

I will say I'd rather have a web harness than a Swiss seat, but the seat is cheaper, and it's what I have more time on right now. Then again, there's a lot that has to go wrong for me to end up rappelling for my life.

[TheWaker43]

By far not the best way to rappel, but knowing the Munter Hitch can be a very useful thing. It requires a locking pear/ HMS biner. But as others have said only use with the proper training and only in a life or death type deal.