Rappelling hardware

[Homebrew454]

I love the Safeguard for SRT but could never get comfortable rappelling with it. I use an ATC by Madrock that is safe for single 9mm rope use. I use an autoblock to control descent with both. I never trusted my hand alone to control the rate of the rope feed.

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[Banded_mallard]

I will share my stuff lol

I started as just rappelling with:

Oplux, grivel 2x8, triangle quick link and hollowblock autoblock

You can use this to 1-stick too. Might add some 6mm TRC to make distel but hollowblock could work.

Then I got into SRT and added:

Canyon c-IV rope and safegaurd to rappel.

Safegaurd is not required unless SRT but it is simple and easy to control descent without autoblock.

I just went to srt. I am using canyon c-IV as well with a mad rock safeguard. Are you backing up that safeguard? Only having it makes me a little hesitant how can I back it up incase the mad rock fails some how?

 

[sdoyle1]

Dano, "Eastern Woods Outdoors" for all your saddle related equipment needs.

I couldn’t agree more. He answered all my beginner questions to help me order exactly what I needed for rappelling and oplux tether and linemans. I don’t shop anywhere else unless I can’t get it from Eastern Woods Outdoors now.


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[dalton916]

Oplux, ATC, hollow block.

 

[Aaronpaul14]

I just went to srt. I am using canyon c-IV as well with a mad rock safeguard. Are you backing up that safeguard? Only having it makes me a little hesitant how can I back it up incase the mad rock fails some how?

I’ve started to shy away from the backup the more I’ve become used to controlling the safegaurd. I’m not sure if I will when hunting or not. The extra weight of gear might make the descent a little quicker than desired.

 

[Shane6491]

I'm trying to put together a rappelling setup, and I'm seeing a wide variety of options. I assumed that I'd need a figure-8 and then something like a Ropeman, Kong Duck, Madrock Safeguard, or even a prussik for safety and as a parking brake (e.g. for removing my stick). Any guidance for a late-onset hunter just getting into saddle and one-sticking? From what I can tell, Garrett (DIY Sportsman) rappels with just a Madrock Safeguard. Can you really use these devices to achieve a safe, steady descent? As for ascenders in general, you can buy rock climbing ascenders for a little under $30; so why are these much more expensive devices so popular? Thanks!

Safe guard is the only way to go in my opinion super small light weight one device not 3-4. I used it with my 11mm and now I’m using it with the 8mm and it’s great. It does take a bit to get use to controlling it. With the 8mm I def use a glove Bc it’s harder to control then the 11 I had before

 

[Banded_mallard]

I’ve started to shy away from the backup the more I’ve become used to controlling the safegaurd. I’m not sure if I will when hunting or not. The extra weight of gear might make the descent a little quicker than desired.

so if I’m thinking correctly without a backup if the safeguard where to fail you have nothing to catch you correct? I just started repelling so I want to make sure I’m safe as possible.

 

[Aaronpaul14]

so if I’m thinking correctly without a backup if the safeguard where to fail you have nothing to catch you correct? I just started repelling so I want to make sure I’m safe as possible.

Correct you would be taking the express elevator to the ground.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

so if I’m thinking correctly without a backup if the safeguard where to fail you have nothing to catch you correct? I just started repelling so I want to make sure I’m safe as possible.

I think the safeguard when used properly is likely fine on oplux. But I always recommend a auto block just in case it is not used properly and because it is a tiny bit out of spec. I like to recommend it because of lawyers and because it is likely a new rappelling hunter will not get hurt when he has a back up.

I also marked on my safeguard what is up when not loaded and put arrows on it for rope direction to reduce hunter error

The arrows are on the back side of the device.

The gri gri was in there for a previous comparison


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[bj139]

I think the safeguard when used properly is likely fine on oplux. But I always recommend a auto block just in case it is not used properly and because it is a tiny bit out of spec. I like to recommend it because of lawyers and because it is likely a new rappelling hunter will not get hurt when he has a back up.

I also marked on my safeguard what is up when not loaded and put arrows on it for rope direction to reduce hunter error

The arrows are on the back side of the device.

The gri gri was in there for a previous comparison


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Since I climb SRT, I can't load my Safeguard in the wrong direction or I'll never leave the ground in the first place. That is actually a safety feature. Good idea on marking yours if you are attaching it 30 feet up and rappelling down.

 

[Gregg D Vance]

let me hear some thoughts - worked well for me last year a few times. SRT using a hand foot ascender and a ropeman1 that way i can stop on the way up and set platform and hunt. when ready to rappel down i lineman to tree to swap out ropeman to figure 8 and i keep a 2 eye prussic on saddle to tie a distel to tag end so i can stop on way down to undo platform and help to control descent. also have a prussic on saddle to be able to have an adjustable bridge. cheap method and already had stuff and descenders are costly. i could just use a distel to rappel but i had a blakes slip some one time and kind of freaked me out a little and the figure 8 is smooth,

 

[ThereWillBeSpuds]

let me hear some thoughts - worked well for me last year a few times. SRT using a hand foot ascender and a ropeman1 that way i can stop on the way up and set platform and hunt. when ready to rappel down i lineman to tree to swap out ropeman to figure 8 and i keep a 2 eye prussic on saddle to tie a distel to tag end so i can stop on way down to undo platform and help to control descent. also have a prussic on saddle to be able to have an adjustable bridge. cheap method and already had stuff and descenders are costly. i could just use a distel to rappel but i had a blakes slip some one time and kind of freaked me out a little and the figure 8 is smooth,

I would not be comfortable climbing SRT with no devices that are intended as primary life support.

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[bj139]

let me hear some thoughts - worked well for me last year a few times. SRT using a hand foot ascender and a ropeman1 that way i can stop on the way up and set platform and hunt. when ready to rappel down i lineman to tree to swap out ropeman to figure 8 and i keep a 2 eye prussic on saddle to tie a distel to tag end so i can stop on way down to undo platform and help to control descent. also have a prussic on saddle to be able to have an adjustable bridge. cheap method and already had stuff and descenders are costly. i could just use a distel to rappel but i had a blakes slip some one time and kind of freaked me out a little and the figure 8 is smooth,

That sounds like a modified Texas Kick climbing system. It sounds like you have it all figured out. If you are comfortable with I see no need to change. I don't like changing device configurations in the tree but I still think it is safe as long as you are attached to the tree while doing it.

 

[DanielB89]

I did have an incident last weekend where i was showing my brother my saddle stuff and when i went to rappel with my safeguard, i must've pulled the handle too far, or not focused enough because i fell about 8 ft to the ground and had a nasty rope burn on my tag end hand. I think i will switch to backing up my safeguard with an autoblock in the future.

Luckily the ground was real mossy and i didnt break my ankle because i landed with my entire weight on my left foot.

Be careful out there and stay safe

I learned that very lesson quickly with the safeguard. It is a great tool and after practice it does become much more user friendly, BUT even with several descends under your belt, one small hiccup and you could be headed to the ground a lot faster than you anticipated. For me, I never made it to the ground. I pulled the lever too much and began going much faster than anticipated. When I let go of the handle and the sudden stop it, it felt like I hit the ground.. lol. It hurt terribly for several days. lol. An auto block is too light and easy to not use imo.

 

[Shane6491]

One of you guys have video or instruction on auto block placement. Never used one but if I could snag for a decent price mite start using one.

 

[Banded_mallard]

I just ordered some Beal Jammys to use as an auto block. Totally relying on the mad rock safeguard just makes me nervous. At least if I have the Beal jammy on my linesman Koop I can re-attach my hand ascender and get down safely.

 

[bj139]

One of you guys have video or instruction on auto block placement. Never used one but if I could snag for a decent price mite start using one.

Any cord will work for an autoblock. I measured the force on the tag end and it was less than 10 lbs.

 

[Shane6491]

Any cord will work for an autoblock. I measured the force on the tag end and it was less than 10 lbs.

Thanks bill

 

[LoadedLimbs]

Any cord will work for an autoblock. I measured the force on the tag end and it was less than 10 lbs.

@bj139 - Great info for all the folks who want to be safe ... with a key tip on how to setup to ensure the protection of your autoblock isn’t compromised by poor placement with respect to your belay device. Crucial info to help keep everyone safe when rappelling.


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[bj139]

@bj139 - Great info for all the folks who want to be safe ... with a key tip on how to setup to ensure the protection of your autoblock isn’t compromised by poor placement with respect to your belay device. Crucial info to help keep everyone safe when rappelling.


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The nice thing about our saddles is the long bridge is already setup perfectly for a rappel extension.