Auto block with safeguard

[Whiskeytrain]

Good afternoon,

I am getting very interested in the rappelling aspect and am thinking about purchasing the equipment. After doing some research I cannot seem to find any information on this topic. For people using a mad rock safeguard, do you use an auto block or any other type of backup in case the safeguard fails? Also, do you leave the safeguard on the rope while hunting so you can use it as an ascender device to replace the long duck?
Thanks for any info

 

[kenn1320]

Madrock says not to use an autoblock with it from what I read on here. I use the safeguard to hook my bridge into to hunt, then just rappel down.

 

[KYRanger]

It’s always a good idea to evaluate backups for systems to the point you are comfortable and safe with your equipment. There are some posts about the Safeguard and the use of an auto block. Some people back up the Safeguard with an auto block. There has been some discussion about making sure nothing gets pulled into the Safeguard as it could potentially cause the Safeguard to fail. Yes, many people use the Safeguard on their tether in place of a Kong Duck, Ropeman, CT Rollnlok or Prusik. Some prefer to climb with a short tether and transfer to the Safeguard at time of rappel. It’s really a personal preference.

Using the Safeguard and your rappel rope for your tether can eliminate the need for another device and tether. But some carry the shorter tether to climb with and/or to have a backup if needed. If you use the short tether you do have to transfer to the Safeguard and rappel rope at height. This can be done safely, but you need to be cautious and systematic. @boyne bow hunter makes a good point about keeping your rappel rope stored until needed to prevent it from getting wet and potentially freezing. Can make rappelling exciting to say the least.

Personally, I do backup my Safeguard at height. I have climbed just with the Safeguard / rappel rope and with the shorter tether and CT RollnLock. I am currently using the rappel rope and Safeguard to climb and hunt, then rappel. But I do alternate. If rain is in the forecast, I follow boyne and use the shorter tether and RollNLock and keep my rappel rope stored inside a pouch or backpack to keep it dry.

 

[bj139]

I don't use any backup for the Safeguard when one sticking. Except for the slip knot I show in this video.

 

[Bango Skank]

Could just put some kind of midline stopper knot right under it. Alpine butterfly or a slip knot or clove hitch. Any of those can be spiked with a carabiner to keep from untying until you want it to.

 

[bj139]

Could just put some kind of midline stopper knot right under it. Alpine butterfly or a slip knot or clove hitch. Any of those can be spiked with a carabiner to keep from untying until you want it to.

Yes. That's what I did in the video I posted above at 4:00.

 

[larasea]

Madrock Safeguard with auto block here.

 

[Whiskeytrain]

Thanks for the replies !

 

[Pilk64]

It’s always a good idea to evaluate backups for systems to the point you are comfortable and safe with your equipment. There are some posts about the Safeguard and the use of an auto block. Some people back up the Safeguard with an auto block. There has been some discussion about making sure nothing gets pulled into the Safeguard as it could potentially cause the Safeguard to fail. Yes, many people use the Safeguard on their tether in place of a Kong Duck, Ropeman, CT Rollnlok or Prusik. Some prefer to climb with a short tether and transfer to the Safeguard at time of rappel. It’s really a personal preference.

Using the Safeguard and your rappel rope for your tether can eliminate the need for another device and tether. But some carry the shorter tether to climb with and/or to have a backup if needed. If you use the short tether you do have to transfer to the Safeguard and rappel rope at height. This can be done safely, but you need to be cautious and systematic. @boyne bow hunter makes a good point about keeping your rappel rope stored until needed to prevent it from getting wet and potentially freezing. Can make rappelling exciting to say the least.

Personally, I do backup my Safeguard at height. I have climbed just with the Safeguard / rappel rope and with the shorter tether and CT RollnLock. I am currently using the rappel rope and Safeguard to climb and hunt, then rappel. But I do alternate. If rain is in the forecast, I follow boyne and use the shorter tether and RollNLock and keep my rappel rope stored inside a pouch or backpack to keep it dry.

Perfect thorough answer IMHO...with my own experience

 

[duadare8]

Plenty confident in the Safeguard... no autoblock here. I used one while using it on oplux (only because it was out of spec) but not on the the Canyon CIV. Actually more confident in the Safeguard then I am the Petzel ZigZag that I have for 11.5 poison ivy.

 

[jgss2]

It’s always a good idea to evaluate backups for systems to the point you are comfortable and safe with your equipment. There are some posts about the Safeguard and the use of an auto block. Some people back up the Safeguard with an auto block. There has been some discussion about making sure nothing gets pulled into the Safeguard as it could potentially cause the Safeguard to fail. Yes, many people use the Safeguard on their tether in place of a Kong Duck, Ropeman, CT Rollnlok or Prusik. Some prefer to climb with a short tether and transfer to the Safeguard at time of rappel. It’s really a personal preference.

Using the Safeguard and your rappel rope for your tether can eliminate the need for another device and tether. But some carry the shorter tether to climb with and/or to have a backup if needed. If you use the short tether you do have to transfer to the Safeguard and rappel rope at height. This can be done safely, but you need to be cautious and systematic. @boyne bow hunter makes a good point about keeping your rappel rope stored until needed to prevent it from getting wet and potentially freezing. Can make rappelling exciting to say the least.

Personally, I do backup my Safeguard at height. I have climbed just with the Safeguard / rappel rope and with the shorter tether and CT RollnLock. I am currently using the rappel rope and Safeguard to climb and hunt, then rappel. But I do alternate. If rain is in the forecast, I follow boyne and use the shorter tether and RollNLock and keep my rappel rope stored inside a pouch or backpack to keep it dry.

When backing up the safeguard at height, How are you doing this? I use an auto block with an ATC sometimes when rappelling. Do you back up your Safeguard the same way while stationary and hunting? Or do you put something above the safeguard. I love using my safeguard as both tether and rappel as I use my rappel rope while climbing one stick. I currently just hunt with no backup but feel I am taking an unnecessary risk by doing so. Thanks. A Pic would be awesome if you have one as sometimes I struggle with the terminology. lol Thank You

 

[KYRanger]

When backing up the safeguard at height, How are you doing this? I use an auto block with an ATC sometimes when rappelling. Do you back up your Safeguard the same way while stationary and hunting? Or do you put something above the safeguard. I love using my safeguard as both tether and rappel as I use my rappel rope while climbing one stick. I currently just hunt with no backup but feel I am taking an unnecessary risk by doing so. Thanks. A Pic would be awesome if you have one as sometimes I struggle with the terminology. lol Thank You

I am backing up the Safeguard with a Sterling hollow block or prusik, below the Safeguard and clipped to my lineman’s loop with a carabiner. See photo. This can be used during the climb, at height (hunting) and when rappelling. This provides some level of backup for several points of failure. Some people prefer a rope prusik over the hollow block, but I am comfortable with the hollow block.





I do not put anything above the Safeguard. That may work, but I’m not fond of extra clutter up around the Safeguard. Unless you plan to remove it during rappel, one hand would need to be above your Safeguard releasing the auto block. This would prevent you from having a brake hand on the loose end of the rope. You need a hand on the rope in a rappel breaking position and the other on the Safeguard lever.

You can always run a secondary tether, by using your linemans rope to serve as a backup to your primary tether and Safeguard.

 

[cpeaden]

I don't use any backup for the Safeguard when one sticking. Except for the slip knot I show in this video.

I watched your video posted elsewhere last night and did not realize why you tied that knot in your rappel line. Now I realize you are using it is a safety stop so your madrock won't slide past that point. Thanks for sharing that idea and the video.

 

[bj139]

I watched your video posted elsewhere last night and did not realize why you tied that knot in your rappel line. Now I realize you are using it is a safety stop so your madrock won't slide past that point. Thanks for sharing that idea and the video.

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