Leadership Lab: Rappelling

The Rappel Master is responsible for rappeller safety, the serviceability of all equipment, and the personal supervision of rappelling operations. In addition to the Rappel Master, there are other individuals who are key in the safe execution of rappelling activities.

The Rappel Safety Officer serves as the OIC during all rappel operations (E-7 or above). The RSO is responsible for the overall safety of all rappellers and ensures that all safety precautions are followed. The RSO also briefs VIPs, visitors, and inspecting authorities on training, safety requirements, and layout of training areas.

Safety is the Rappel Lane NCO’s number one priority. The rappel lane NCO ensures proper safety procedures are followed, ensures proper hookup once directed to a rope station, and issues commands and maintains eye contact with the rappeller at all times.

Participants in tower rappel training, or individual Rappellers, must complete the following requirements under the supervision of a Rappel Master: identify all rappelling equipment, demonstrate construction of rappel seat; donning of rappel harness; proper use and hook-up of rappel device and rappel rope, identify unsafe attachments, equipment, rope connections, and seat construction, define terms used in rappelling operations, identify knots used in rappel operations, understand and demonstrate rappel commands, demonstrate rappelling positions, demonstrate belaying procedures, exhibit satisfactory performance from the rappel tower, and demonstrate ability to lock in.

The Belayer assumes a position at the base of the lane about one pace away from the tower area, ensures that the rappel ropes are even with the ground during tower rappels, loosely holds the rappel rope with both hands to avoid interference with the rappeller while remaining able to stop the rappeller, immediately stops the rappeller by pulling downward on the rappel ropes if the rappeller shouts, FALLING! or loses control of his brake hand during descent, watches the rappeller at all times, and maintains constant voice or visual contact.