Safety Lines for Protecting a Traverse

Summary:

This video covers three methods for rigging horizontal safety lines to protect team members traversing to precarious rappel anchors, with detailed retrieval procedures for each.

Equipment Used:

• Safety line: 7.5mm BlueWater CRT haul line, 36 feet (12m) with sewn termination

• Deployment: Gear Perspective kit bag (dual-opening design for efficient rope management)

• Pro tip: A rope bag that opens at both ends allows you to rig safety from the same rope you're using for rappel setup

Method 1: Pass-Through with Clove Hitch Tension

• First person passes safety line through rappel ring at transition station, connects to their harness

• Rig through rappel device or attach with prusik for security while moving

• Max distance: 36-foot rope = 18-foot traverse

• At anchor: clip safety tether first (add before subtract), then attach rope end to anchor

• Pull tension on opposite strand and secure with clove hitch to same carabiner

• Station manager (optional): stays at transition to verify safe changeovers

• Retrieval: Remove clove hitch, pull rope through safe zone ring; sewn termination passes through most rings

Method 2: Belayed First Crosser

• Pass rope through rappel ring at safe zone first

• Belay first person from safe zone (example: VT Prusik belay from harness)

• Single strand system: rope end at transition station, blocked at safe zone anchor

• Last person brings the rope bag across

• Retrieval: Same as Method 1

Method 3: Self-Belay Last Person

• Rope end connected to safe zone anchor; first person uses rappel device or prusik

• At transition: secure rope with clove hitch on carabiner

• Last person options:

  • Be belayed from transition station, OR

  • Rig running self-belay using an ID (as demonstrated)

• Disconnect from safe zone anchor, connect to harness, cross with backup system

Critical Safety Rules:

• Always add before you subtract: Don't remove one security system until another is in place

• Clip into safety line and get checked before leaving safe zone

• Stay on safety line while rigging for rappel

• Control brake hand on rappel rope (or lock off) before unclipping from safety

• Knot warning: If using a knot instead of sewn termination, untie it before retrieval or it will jam in the ring

Pacing Tip: Don't rush everyone to the transition station if space is limited—establish a controlled flow based on available room and station capacity.