Learning the SPRAT Curriculum: Descending With a Descender and Ascender

Being able to control your speed and stop as required while descending the ropes is a core technique you’ll use nearly every day as a rope tech. All levels are required to demonstrate competence descending the ropes, stopping and locking or tying off the descender (as appropriate), and ascending using a descender for at least 2 m.

With the oral part of your examination, each level has different evaluation requirement. Refer to the end of this blog, for some additional resources to review.

1. Check the anchor points before descending down the ropes. 
2. Safely access the ropes from various positions, such as from a safe platform or the ground, from fall restraint or work positioning, or from an aid climb.
3. Attach and correctly thread your descending device. FYI, at Pacific Ropes, we use the Petzl I'D. This descender has a safety feature that will lock you in place if you thread it backwards. So, in training, if your I'D is not working the way you think it should and you aren't sure why, most likely you've threaded it backwards.
4. Make sure the connector you are using (the carabiner attached to the descender) is secured. At PacRopes, the carabiners you'll be using will automatically lock. However, there are many carabiners out there that require you to twist them locked. So, get into the habit of checking to make sure your connector is locked and loaded correctly before you start to descend. 
5. Attach your back-up correctly and check the position and function of your backups. Make sure your back up isn't sitting too low before you descend. At PacRopes, we train on the ASAP Lock and the KONG backup. Before you descend, make sure the ASAP lock is not on the locked function otherwise you'll be stuck. If you're using your KONG, be sure to tow the string, and never bring it below your harness attachment point.
6. Check for any obstructions below you before beginning to descend (this is your pre-descent safety check).
7. Safely control your descent. No fast drops!
8. Practice safe control of the ‘tail’ rope (the rope that is exiting the descending device) as you’re descending. You’ll want to avoid creating tangles in the ropes, as well as in the lanyard.
9. Demonstrate how to stop and lock off the device. Locking off your device seems like a simple thing to do but it is easy to forget, especially when you're the middle of some complicated maneuvers.
10. You must also know how to add a friction device in certain situations, namely; rescue.

Something else to keep in mind is the weather. Rain and other harsh weather conditions could have an impact on your descent by affecting the properties of the ropes in your system. We’ll go into further detail on this during your training week, and you won't have to worry about inclement weather in the training yard.

Descending Using an Ascending Device

It is also possible to descend the rope system on an ascending device while in suspension. This maneuver uses a very specific re-positioning technique that is only used for very short descents (generally no more than a few meters), and is done without ever removing the ascending device from the rope system.  

To demonstrate competence with this maneuver, follow through on all of the points listed above, and also make sure that the ascending device is never removed from the ropes during the entirety of the maneuver. 

We will go into further detail on all of these skills and techniques during your training week.

In summary, the main things your Evaluator will be watching for are that you correctly attach the descending device and back up to the rope system, that your descent is controlled, and that your backup is correctly managed.

Most Common Discrepancies to Avoid:

1. Failure to properly lock or tie off descender as required by the manufacturer
2. Rope not routed properly over rolled plate
3. Excessive slack of more than 1ft above the descender 
4. Forgetting to add a carabiner to the descent line in a two person rescue
5. Uncontrolled or dangerous descent or swing (fail)
6. *Descender threaded incorrectly and used in that manner (fail)

*We put together a blog about the most common discrepancies L1 techs make during their assessment, and one of them is threading the ID backwards and not realizing your mistake. This discrepancy is worded in a very specific way, because if you realize that you’ve threaded the ID backwards, fix it, and then continue on with your current maneuver the right way, you may be able to avoid that discrepancy. Stay on your toes!

Additional resources to check out

7.6 of the SPRAT Evaluation Guidelines for the source material for this blog.

7.6 of the SPRAT Certification Requirements for a concise evaluation summary. 

Appendix 1 from the SPRAT Evaluation Guidelines for the Equipment Criteria for Field Oral Evaluation -- descender.

This is part of an ongoing series, where we’re breaking down the SPRAT Syllabus and clarifying exactly what will be expected of you on your evaluation day. To continue exploring this series and learn more about SPRAT's Technician Evaluation Form, please click below: