It's been suggested we start a thread, passing on tips and ideas to help the next generation of cavers.
What's obvious to the more experienced caver may not have occurred to someone new to the sport, may not have been pointed out - or if it has not yet taken on board....we all learn in many varied ways, hopefully reading a cautionary tale on UKC may pass on some caving wisdom
One of my first SRT trips was down Bar Pot. I went down first and was barely a couple of meters above the bottom of the first pitch when my hair got caught in my rack (yes it was a long time ago!). It hurt like hell. I didn't have my up gear on (something I never do these days) and I couldn't stop myself slowly creeping down the rope, my hair getting more entangled....urrgh it was awful. Those above me couldn't help, no I didn't have a knife and despite frantically trying to stop myself slipping down the rope further, I couldn't. I didn't know what to do.
....and then from below two cavers appeared. They quickly saw what the problem was, one sat me on his shoulders and the other untangled my rack and hair - grateful doesn't cover it., if you happen to be reading this, once again, thank you, Guys
So my advice is tie your hair back, out of the way of your descender and personally I don't abseil without my prussiking gear on (I know plenty on here will and maybe I'm over cautious however the above episode left a lasting impression, so up gear it is for me ).
What's obvious to the more experienced caver may not have occurred to someone new to the sport, may not have been pointed out - or if it has not yet taken on board....we all learn in many varied ways, hopefully reading a cautionary tale on UKC may pass on some caving wisdom
One of my first SRT trips was down Bar Pot. I went down first and was barely a couple of meters above the bottom of the first pitch when my hair got caught in my rack (yes it was a long time ago!). It hurt like hell. I didn't have my up gear on (something I never do these days) and I couldn't stop myself slowly creeping down the rope, my hair getting more entangled....urrgh it was awful. Those above me couldn't help, no I didn't have a knife and despite frantically trying to stop myself slipping down the rope further, I couldn't. I didn't know what to do.
....and then from below two cavers appeared. They quickly saw what the problem was, one sat me on his shoulders and the other untangled my rack and hair - grateful doesn't cover it., if you happen to be reading this, once again, thank you, Guys
So my advice is tie your hair back, out of the way of your descender and personally I don't abseil without my prussiking gear on (I know plenty on here will and maybe I'm over cautious however the above episode left a lasting impression, so up gear it is for me ).