Technical information Checking your equipment

During progression in a canyon, the equipment undergoes extreme use. The harness and all the equipment is put to a rough test:rubbing and repeated impact against the rock cause significant abrasion, particularly on slides. Alternating between immersion in water and then drying accelerates the wear on the fabric. Retire your harness or descender: - if the results of your inspection are not satisfactory - after a significant shock load or impact - if you have any doubt about their reliability After each outing, clean and dry all equipment carefully according to the instructions in the technical notices. www.petzl.com/ppe

Harness
Before each use, inspect the general condition of the harness, the webbing at the tie-in points, the leg loops (check the webbing hidden behind the rear protection carefully) and the safety stitching. Check for cuts, wear and damage caused by use (look out for cut or torn threads). Verify the functioning of the buckles and look for corrosion.

Descender
On the body of the descender (PIRANA or HUIT), check for excessive wear, cracks, or deep grooves caused by passage of the rope (maximum 1mm). Also check for the presence and attachment of the plastic piece that keeps the carabiner in position.

Information is non-exhaustive; consult the details of the inspection procedure to be carried out for each item of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) on its technical notice or at www.petzl.com/ppe

Technical information Basics

Prepare carefully for your activity

Consult the guidebooks and get information from other canyoneers. Evaluate the risk of flooding based on the weather and the chosen canyon. Leave early. Identify possible escape routes. Be aware of the risks of a dam being released. Prepare your equipment carefully, measure the ropes (take a rappel rope that is twice the length of the longest rappel and a rescue rope equal to the length of the longest rappel). Spread the equipment and supplies among the team members so that it can not all be lost in one bag. Use waterproof containers to protect your belongings. Dont forget the mask, the bolting kit and the headlamps in case you return late. Pay particular attention to rescue ropes and equipment, and know where they are.

Know how to move through whitewater

Canyoning is fun, but water is nevertheless the biggest danger. Assess the water volume before committing to a descent. Be certain you know the high-risk zones:whirlpool, sump, suction, compression, fast current. Be careful with ropes, slings, packs and anything else that could get caught underwater. Warning:If theres a problem, you only have a few seconds to intervene. Dont lose sight of the rest of the team, specially the member at the back.

Install lifelines and rappels with care

The aquatic environment is very hard on equipment, so verify the strength of the anchors, which could have been damaged by floods or corrosion. Beware of old slings and spinning bolts. Rappelling under waterfalls is a technical maneuver; always install a releasable system. Practice rescue maneuvers and releasing rappels ahead of time so that you can intervene immediately if one or more team members are trapped underwater...

Always remain vigilant

Study the bottom before jumping or going down a slide

Avoid stupid accidents... an often-forgotten basic. The leader descends with a rope and inspects the landing zone with a mask. He can then confirm the absence of hidden obstacles in the water. Beware of high jumps even when the water is deep (an incorrect landing position can create a violent shock to the thorax and literally take the canyoneerss breath away).

Safety management is a team sport! All team members are involved. With routine and fatigue, we become less cautious. Remain attentive and check each other when installing ropes, attaching a descender... Determine the rules for visual communication (diving hand signals) with the entire team before setting off.

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Technical information Tips

A. Rappelling
Braking positions

Voyage to the center of the earth: Jules Verne would have loved it

Releasable rappel These systems allow the friction point of the rope on the rock to be moved or to release a stuck team member. Two solutions: - Munter hitch with mule knot and locking knot

Releasing a stuck partner.

Min.

Max.

Additional friction

Min.

Max.

Stopping position

- releasable block using a Figure-8 device

Blocked rappel Technique allows the knot to be easily untied.

B. Communication

Make sure the length of the rope is correctly adjusted.

Information is non-exhaustive. Refer to the other pages as well as to the user instructions and technical manuals. Technical training is essential.

OK ?
Jocelyn Chavy

Ok!

Stop

Dangerous obstacle

Rope is too long, take up slack.

Rope is too short, pay out slack.

Release! Rope is too short or your partner is stuck.

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OK?

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C. Horizontal progression
Installing a retrievable fixed line. The belayer should have enough rope (minimum twice the length of the fixed line). The last team member recovers the carabiners in the anchor; he is tied into the rope above that runs through the anchors.

D. Guided rappel
The leader descends and sets up a hauling system to tension the guide rope (blocked end). It is blocked with a Munter hitch, mule knot and locking knot. The team members above wait for confirmation from the leader before descending (OK!= set-up completed).

E. Look before you leap

Before jumping or sliding down, always inspect the landing.

OK ?
2

F. Protecting the rope

OK !

Tensioning the guide rope with the hauling system

Valrie Lematre starting to enjoy the wet rappels of the Jordanian canyons.

G. Bagging the rope

Information is non-exhaustive. Refer to the other pages as well as to the user instructions and technical manuals. Technical training is essential.

Jocelyn Chavy

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Canyoning