Switching from an ascension to a basic

[Jon]

Could you point me in the direction of what has replaced  it please? Genuinely interested to know other methods.

I don't agree with your pessimistic view of the current CIC teaching. The method you mention is taught to give candidates a rounded knowledge of rescues, as far as I understand, with a cut and lower being an accepted, quicker method.

 

[cap n chris]

Pessimistic? Where? Certainly didn't intend to be or wish to sound like it. Unconditional apologies for any offence, inadvertently, caused.

 

[cap n chris]

The method you mention is taught to give candidates a rounded knowledge of rescues, as far as I understand, with a cut and lower being an accepted, quicker method.

If there's an accepted quicker* method why teach the other version which relies on a non-modern layout?

* As most cavers will know, a fundamental element of mid rope rescue scenarios is time, QED slower methods will obviously fall to the wayside. 

 

[Jon]

To give a rounded knowledge of different rescues?

I've used the ACT method for a while now and I can't see much advantage to it. It's lighter but if the burden of a metre of 8mm is too much eat one less packet of crisps!
I found that I didn't like the faff at pitch heads making sure I didn't drop it.

Why do you use it? Does it allow you to do anything that having a tether doesn't?

 

[cap n chris]

I found that I didn't like the faff at pitch heads making sure I didn't drop it.

Why do you use it? Does it allow you to do anything that having a tether doesn't?

Weird! I use it because it's less faff.

It results in less likelihood of knitting which is why I like it for newbies.  Plus, it replicates what they see in the book and hence results in less confusion.

Each to their own. 

 

[Mike Hopley]

"Cord of shame" vs. long cowstail: either works fine, and I'd encourage people to use what they find most effective and feel comfortable with.

I prefer the long cowstail, because you have fewer ropes on your harness to get tangled. When I first tried it, I didn't like it, because I was worrying about dropping the ascender; stowing the ascender at pitch heads was a lot of faff.

With practice stowing the ascender is fast and easy, especially if you have compact footloops (i.e. cord & sling, not rope). You also don't have to stow the ascender: with a little care, you can use the long cowstail while the ascender is still attached. Or you could just stick the ascender itself on the traverse line (watch out for angled loading, though). Or stick both on!

Even with the "cord of shame", you have to do something when you come off the pitch, or the ascender will be dragging along the ground. So the difference in faff is rather negligible.

Rescue techniques: there is no good reason for using difficult, physically demanding pickoff techniques. It is much more efficient (and safer!) to cut the rope.

I'd be interested to hear about these new developments in rescue techniques.

 

[Jon]

You also don't have to stow the ascender: with a little care, you can use the long cowstail while the ascender is still attached.

I briefly tried this but found it got in the way of holding the krab. Might try again though.

Rescue techniques: there is no good reason for using difficult, physically demanding pickoff techniques. It is much more efficient (and safer!) to cut the rope.

I sort of agree, but I'm not a massive fan of cutting the rope being my first option.

 

[Jon]

It results in less likelihood of knitting

That's a good point.

 

[Mike Hopley]

I briefly tried this but found it got in the way of holding the krab. Might try again though.

Yes, it definitely does get in the way; you wouldn't want to do it for long. It's more an option for getting away from the pitch head before sorting out your ascender, or if you just want that extra point of attachment right now.

I sort of agree, but I'm not a massive fan of cutting the rope being my first option.

I think this sentiment is pretty normal, and it's good to have some respect for the rope. My (limited) experience says that cavers are naturally unhappy about cutting the rope, but this changes when they have been taught the procedure and practised it in a safe environment.