Rappelling Instructions

Rappelling is a way of sliding down a rope using a special device that is attached to a climbing harness. It is used by climbers to descend from the tops of mountains and cliffs, cavers to enter caves, and rescue workers who need to reach people in dangerous situations. There are many different rappel devices, and many ways to set them up, but the basics remain the same, regardless of what and how you are rappelling.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope
  • Rappel device
  • Locking carabiner
  • Harness
  • Anchor
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the rappel by first sliding one end of the rope through the anchor, then pairing the rope end with the other rope end and pulling it through the anchor chain or anchor carabiner until the midway point of the rope is reached.

    • 2

      Tie the ends of the rope together, then coil the rope and toss it well out from the cliff face, yelling "Rope" as you do so to warn anybody below.

    • 3

      Attach the rappel device to the belay loop of your climbing harness with a locking carabiner. A belay loop is the sewn loop on the front of a climbing harness that you clip a belay/rappel device to for either catching a climber's fall with a belay device or rappelling from the top of a cliff with a belay/rappel device.

    • 4

      Connect the rope to the rappel device. This is usually done by taking a bit of rope, pushing it through the rappel device and clipping it to the locking carabiner, but it can vary depending on the device used. Regardless of how you connect the rope to your rappel device, set it up so that the downhill part of the rope is next to your dominant hand.

    • 5

      Grasp the rope with your dominant hand and hold it down against your thigh. This is your brake hand, and it is imperative that you never let go of the rope with your brake hand. Most people use their free hand to hold the rope above the belay device, but you can place it on the brake hand side underneath your dominant hand if you feel you need more friction.

    • 6

      Lean back until you are almost perpendicular to the rock face and walk your feet down, allowing the rope to smoothly slide through your brake hand and the belay device. If you need to stop, simply hold the rope with the brake hand.