How To Ascend & Descend - Rope Access Refreshers

Training Manager Simon shows you how to effectively ascend and descend a rope.

Simon Thomson is an experienced IRATA instructor, having trained over 1200 technicians at all IRATA levels. He is also a certified IRATA assessor who regularly assesses trainees from other IRATA training member companies to ensure the IRATA standard is consistent across the industry.

[joelprestonsmith]

This is ChatGPT's translation, into English, of one of the exchanges below: Regarding "It's actually the Duck, not the shunt and common practice within the industry, for both the Duck and the Shunt, is for the cow's tail to be attached to the ventral attachment. You can connect to either the ventral or the sternal as the Duck's instructions shows both are acceptable." GPT's translation: "In this rope rescue conversation, they're discussing the proper use of a device called a "Duck" (similar to a Shunt) in a climbing or rappelling system, specifically in relation to its attachment points on a harness. Here’s a breakdown of the key terms and concepts:
Key Terms
1 Duck: The Duck is a compact ascender/rope clamp used in rope access and rescue operations. It is often employed for ascending or for backup in a fall arrest system.
2 Shunt: Similar to the Duck, the Shunt is another type of rope grab device used as a backup during rope activities. It acts as a mechanical prusik, gripping the rope if a fall occurs.
3 Cow's Tail: This is a lanyard used in climbing and rope access. It is a short piece of rope or webbing with a carabiner at the end, used to attach the climber to an anchor point or a device like the Duck or Shunt.
4 Ventral Attachment Point: This is the lower attachment point on a climbing or rope access harness, typically situated at the front near the waist. It is often used for attaching descenders or other devices.
5 Sternal Attachment Point: This is the chest-level attachment point on a harness. It is usually used for attaching fall arrest devices and sometimes for ascending devices.
6 A Point**: Likely referring to a specific attachment point on the harness.
Explanation
• The commenter is asking why the person isn’t using a specific attachment point ("second point 'A'") on their harness for the Shunt (or Duck in this case).
• @simonthomson1631 clarifies that they are using a Duck, not a Shunt, and that it is common practice to attach the cow's tail (the lanyard) to the ventral (lower front) attachment point on the harness when using either a Duck or a Shunt.
• He also mentions that according to the Duck’s instructions, it can be attached to either the ventral (lower) or sternal (chest) attachment points, and both are acceptable.
Application
• In rope rescue or rope access, using the proper attachment points on a harness is crucial for safety and efficiency. The ventral attachment point is typically used for devices that manage weight and descent, like descenders or ascenders, because it provides a lower center of gravity and more stable positioning.
• The sternal attachment point is more common for fall arrest devices, which engage in the event of a fall to keep the person upright and distribute forces more evenly across the body.
By adhering to these attachment points, climbers and rescuers ensure that their gear is used in the most effective and safe manner, as per industry standards and manufacturer instructions."

[jimharris]

Hello Simon, will there be any new videos coming out? I was looking for your playlist, but could not find one. How do I access your level 3 rescues? Thank you, Jim.

[Timma]

Hey mate put the ascender below the rocker and you don’t need to grab the rope with your feet as your foot pressure holds it taut

[josephtmerli]

What type make and model of defender are you using?

[egorsebelev]

Bro) Why are you use not second point 'A' on your harness for the SHUNT?