Learn to Abseil Safely 

It's amazing how a short video can bring out so many armchair know-it-alls.

Thanks for the video. A couple of things that I've noticed: that's a Machard and not a Prusik, and in Europe we don't tight Machard or Prusik on the leg in case you need to stop at half way for any reason. Just to avoid to put all your body weight on a weak part of the harness. I know in this case there's no reason to stop during the abseiling, but you never know. Thanks again, nice video!

2:43 ffs........i hope thats not your knackers youve trapped right there?

2:47 there go his kids...

Yes, I should have tied a knot at he end of the rope and this is good practice. As I could see the bottom and I could see that the rope had not reached the ground i did not. All the comments that say there should be a knot are correct. The loop on the harness for clipping the french prussic on is a feature of the DMM harness and it is designed for that use. Using this feature stops the prussic jamming in the belay plate. Clipping onto the leg loop can be a problem is you have the 'fast track' buckle system and not the traditional harness buckle which is why DMM created this special loop. As fair as the name of the knot goes, I know a prussic knot is something slightly different and this is actually a French prussic. I am sure people from the USA will call it something different.

Two points (one mentioned already by many viewers), First, the backup hItch used is an AUTOBLOCK. Secondly, its cleaner (and safer) using a rappel extension which will place both hands below and away from the belay device. Two general methods: 1. Girth-hitch a 60cm sling through the hard points of your harness (the same points that your belay loop goes through) and clip your belay device to this sling instead of your belay loop. 2. Feed the sling through the hard points of your harness, tie an overhand knot in it and then clip both ends of the sling to your belay device.

Good vid though I sometimes wonder why tf people like you bother (but glad you do) after reading some of the comments below,jeez always peeps who just want to tear holes in things, sad really,maybe they should divert us to their vid's then we all know the correct way to rock.

i was gonna give this a go on the weekend but i think ill buy 1 of those red bollock protectors like the dude from camero wore in the word up video......would look much better on the video...........

Learn to abseil "safely" LooooL!! Where are safety knots on the end of the rope???!!!!! And prusik in leg loop???

The "special loop" is to hold the excess of the strap from your leg loop. Not for clipping on!!!

To all the losers who are dissing him regarding not tying off the end and and throwing rope off and clipping prussic into leg loop etc... get some experience. Horses for courses.. if you can see the rope at the bottom is no need to tie off. Sometimes throwing rope off is better as it will not get tangled and will pick up less grit etc then feeding it off. For a short belay like thay there will be little friction so any device is fine. If you have any experience you will know that we use prussic to define the technique not the actual knot. Leg loop is fine for slow and short as not enough momentum to pull it out. Plus it would jam that device even if it did detach. Grow up haters.

Old style, prusik connect to leg.

That was pretty helpful

he did mention that he could see the rope reach the bottom.!

Great video although not the best way to tye a Prusik knot lol

surf_abseil by mudkipsss

you should tie a knot at the end of the rope

Unsafe as fuck

this is not a prusik knot 😂 this is a kreuzklemm knot youre using.

Abseilen is a german word but in germany they say Fast Roping idk why 😂

Since you're using one hand on the prusik, would it be acceptable to put the prusik above the belay plate? It would just mean reaching up instead of across the body to bring the prusik along. Is the method you're using to use the second hand as a back-up as well? Thanks for the video.

you can attach the prussik loop to the legstrap itself and not the loop its alot stronger

And how do you get back up? 😄

how do you rack your prussics seen at 3:13

No stopper knots for good measure?

That is not Prusik! Is a Machard! Please please do not attach a carabiner on your leg loop!!!

Wasn't that more rappelling than abseiling?

What harness did he use

Yea safe that's why the bele broke hmmm

I know how to absail

Hi. good video. Where is this place?

Gloves?

Good

That's not a prusik and there isn't any stopper knot. Wrong information from a "climbing instructor".

Skills and drills. What kills/injures people in climbing/abseiling is usually bad luck - and poor drills creates a lot of "bad luck". Good habits saves a lot of heartache... Mate, I like that you're enthusiastic and are trying to promote safe abseils/rappels but - in my opinion - your Marchard/Kleimheist (not actually a Prusik) should go ABOVE your descending device. Keeps you upright if you take any fall or sharp stop. The "stylish" legstrap idea likely would injure your leg or make it difficult to use if not actually spin/tilt you into a difficult position - bodyweight + gravity will be trying to pull your leg up into the descender. Who was the cowboy that devised that? Best get a second opinion on EVERYTHING he/she recommends. Their next "cool" tip might be a paracord necklace that acts as safety brake... A belay as a descender is doable but, surely, a figure of eight is easily better suited for a host of reasons? I don't often use a safety brake when descending (using an 8) but, if I used a belay device (Sticht plate or tuber), I'd say it's essential. I like to abseil AS FAST AS POSSIBLE when the pitch is safe enough - belay devices just don't cut the mustard. You ought to knot the end of a doubled rope EVEN if you think it's reached the ground, that's a BASIC. It's not just about stopping you from abseiling off the end of it, if one line gets caught up below you and you needed to shake it free, there's no possible chance of one line slipping through the descender, making the rope unevenly hung - which, in extreme but realistic circumstances, could result in everything coming undone as you approach the bottom of your pitch - RIP. Try it and you'll see how easy uneven hangs can occur. Another basic is wearing a helmet. You ARE demonstrating learning to abseil "SAFELY", after all... And you should "feed" the rope down to prevent twisting, kinking and knots. Or use a rope bag (military use, covert or heli).

the leg loop may be ripped from the harness itself. Four: where is your helmet. Five: don't throw ropes down cliffs, feed them down. Six: you had no brake person or belay person to safe guard your decent. Seven: where is your helmet?

Wtf? This is not safe!! No Stopper knot!!

A couple of things omitted : No tether to anchor to test before abseiling. No knots on ends to make sure you dont pass the rope through your belay device. I know the rope touched the bottom but it would be good practice. Apart from that good video.

This is a simple guide as to how to NOT abseil safely. One: a belay plate is designed for belaying, not decending, there is not enough metal in a belay plate to disperse the heat created by friction by the rope. Two: a prussik loop is not meant to be shock loaded because it may slip if shock loaded. Three: A leg loop is not designed for any other purpose apart from holding your leg in the harness. If you fell with your prussik loop which you are not meant to shock load in the first place

thats reppeling. NOT ABSEILING, ABSEILING IS GOING UP, REPPELING IS GOING DOWN.

That's Not a prussik