Rappel Devices for Canyoneering

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1 Intro
2 Figure-Eight Devices
3 Tube Style
4 Rack-Style devices
5 Alternatives
6 Links

[edit] Intro

Typical rigging of a Figure-8 for double-rope rappel on an anchor. The right rope pair is the brake.

Typical rigging of an ATC for double-rope rappel on an anchor. The right rope pair is the brake.

There are many devices used to rappel. They all basically have the same functionality: slow the descent.

[edit] Figure-Eight Devices

The Figure-8 is a common and classic rappel device.

It can be used either for single- or double-rope rappel.
It can be locked off.
It can be rigged in a varity of configurations applying different friction.
It can be rigged as an ascender.
It comes in a number of design variations including:

Rescue Eight
The Petzl Pirana

[edit] Tube Style

The ATC was the first of a number of tube style rappel devices to be invented. These are usually an improvement over the standard stitch plate.

They have a straight rope path and tend not to twist the rope like the Figure-8.
They can be used either for single or double-rope rappel.
They can be used with two ropes of different sizes.
They work best with an HMS carabineer on double-rope rappel. This prevents the retention wire from being caught up in the ropes.
While it is possible to lock off a tube style device, it is a little more tricky.
Design variations that add friction for more control on thin or single-line rappels include the:

[edit] Rack-Style devices

The basic rappel rack is commonly used in caving, but rarely used in canyoneering.

[edit] Alternatives

These are useful if you dropped your device and your extra device slipped off in the last floating disconnect. These techniques are not recommended for everyday use, but will get you out of a pinch.