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Topic Date User

Rescued in Blue Mountains May 31, the analysis 29-Jun-2015 At 12:45:39 PM patto

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On 29/06/2015 Drake wrote:
>I agree with your assessment Kierani that inexperience was the dominant
>factor in these examples, and the many other examples I could dig up. But
>I fail to see how an autoblock could have hurt in these situations, and
>it could have helped.

In three of the four instances there I would disagree that a prussik was an appropriate solution for the circumstances. (The low angle slab i cannot say a prussik was inappropriate.) Like has been said and inexperience abseiler should be protected by a bottom/top belay.

Prussiks can and have cause serious and dangerous issues and have resulted in deaths and rescues. Inexperienced abseilers should not be using them.

On 29/06/2015 Drake wrote:
>My point boils down to this: weird sh*t happens when abseiling, and (correctly implemented)
>autoblocks can help to mitigate the consequences of that weird sh*t. Obviously experience is >incredibly valuable in avoiding or dealing with that weird sh*t too. I prefer to use both.
That sounds like a well informed choice. I have no reason to suggest that you change.