Abseiling

Level: 1

Requirements

Section 1

Safety

• Do the following:
  • List and explain the safety rules
  • Explain the “dangers of falling” chart
• Explain the uses of the following knots:
  • Tape
  • Alpine butterfly
  • Figure of eight loop
  • Double fishermans
  • Prussik
  • Bowline

Setup

• Draw the diagrams for the setting up of the following abseil descents:
  • Single rope technique
  • Canyoning setup
• Know the ways to identify safe anchors in various circumstances, e.g. trees, boulders, bollards. Belaying
• Explain the various verbal calls.
• Explain the principle of belaying and the three methods used, and give the advantages and disadvantages of each method:
  • Body belay
  • Mechanical belay
  • Base belay

Care of Equipment

• List the rules for care of ropes.
• Explain the difference between dynamic and static rope.
• Know the right type of equipment needed for abseiling.
• Know the best way to store your ropes, e.g. coiling and chaining.

Descenders

• Do the following
  • Know which descending device to use in different abseils.
  • Give reasons why you chose that device, e.g. on/off time, security, heat, versatility, etc.

First Aid

• Know about how to treat a patient for the following injuries:
  • Sprains
  • Concussion
  • Hypothermia
  • Broken bone
  • Shock

Cliff Rescue

• Explain how to perform the following rescues:
  • The pulley system
  • The change-over method

Section 2 

• Pass the abseiling exam with a pass mark of 60%. The exam is available from the conference youth ministries office, or through the instructor.

Verbal Testing

• Answer the questions on the following topics:
  • Uses of the six abseiling knots
  • What are, and give the meaning of the standard climbing calls
  • Uses of various descenders
  • Give seven rules for are of rope
  • Give seven rules for safety
  • Know about first aid and how to treat patients
  • Give five ways to detect faults of ropes

Practical Testing

• Perform the following tasks:
  • Tie the six knots
  • Set up the single rope setup and canyoning setup
  • Witness a cliff rescue demonstrated by the instructor
  • Coil and chain a rope
  • Set up the belay methods

Abseiling

• From a minimum height of 10 meters, complete two abseils on each of the following devices, and know how to attach them to the rope:
  • Whale tail
  • Robot
  • Harpoon (easy access)
  • Figure of eight
  • Piton-brake bar
  • Rappel-rack
  • Harpoon (conventional)
  • Cross karabiner
• Explain how to do the classic abseil, and over the shoulder abseil, for emergency use.
• Be able to prussik a ten-meter cliff