Appendix 4: Precautions and introduction to risk analysis
Warnings
- Carefully read the Instructions for Use used in this technical advice before consulting the advice itself. You must have already read and understood the information in the Instructions for Use to be able to understand this supplementary information.
- Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised.
- We provide examples of techniques related to your activity. There may be others that we do not describe here.
Attaching the ASCENSION and BASIC for self-belaying:
The device must be installed correctly on the rope, connected by the upper attachment hole, taking care to pass the rope through the carabiner.
In these situations with fall factor less than one, the ascender's teeth do not damage the rope.
Despite their aggressive appearance, the teeth on the BASIC or ASCENSION are not harmful to the rope in normal use.
The spring pushes the cam against the rope and causes it to engage the rope without sliding (and therefore without tearing), especially if the teeth are new and pointy.
Use of the MINI TRAXION pulley:
Warning!
Petzl has studied the current usage of the MINI TRAXION as a self-belay device on a fixed rope. Serious accidents and many handling errors have been reported.
The risk of using the device with the cam held open is significant, as well as the possibility of accidental opening of the cam when climbing.
Consequently, the MINI TRAXION must be paired with a different ascender: ASCENSION, BASIC, MICROCENDER...
Petzl does not recommend using a system consisting of only two MINI TRAXION for self-belayed solo climbing with a fixed rope.
Attention: in this photo, the MINI TRAXION's ascender function is deactivated.
Non exhaustive risk analysis
The risks vary according to the situation: do your own analysis!
Introduction to installation risks:
- Access from above presents a risk of falling before the rope is installed, be vigilant when approaching the anchor
- Beware of rockfall while accessing the route from above, and when the rope is moving
- Anchor or rope failure: adapt your installation to the site, choose a solid anchor on two triangulated points, avoiding rub points against edges or protrusions. A rope protector (PROTEC C45) may be required
- Risk of ground fall: in the first few meters of the climb, even with a properly installed system, you can hit the ground in case of a fall, due to the elasticity of the rope. The static elongation of a rope is around 10 %. If your route is 50 m, there is a risk of ground fall in the first 5 meters of the climb, even from simply resting on the rope
Introduction to handling risks:
- Sliding of the device: improper attachment, opening of the cam during use (rubbing, interference from foreign objects)
- Device loss: when changing systems from ascent to descent, putting the descender on the weighted rope is tricky
- Rope loss: If you are tied off to an anchor on a slab route, do not detach yourself completely from the rope: a slight pendulum can move the rope out of your reach
- Slack rope: if the rope is not sufficiently weighted, the system cannot slide fast enough to keep pace with the climb and loops of slack are created between you and the anchor. The potential fall length will increase
- Passing the belay station and falling = factor 2. Always stay below your anchor point, making sure your setup allows for this during access and return
