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protecting the rope from sheath damage
Purpose: To use techniques and devices to minimize sheath damage.

Application: Whenever the rappel line runs over a sharp or rough edge; anytime large parties are rappeling on the same rope.

Fig. 1 - Rope protectors: Many companys manufacture specialized rope protectors that can be attached to the rope. Shown here is the Petzl brand rope protector, which can be slid into postion by the descender and then clipped to the rope with a wire attachment which holds it in place and allows it to be retrieved when the rope is pulled.
 edge protector
Fig 2 - Improvised rope protection: Frequently a pack can be positioned at the edge and the rappel line run over it as a method of protection.

You can also cut short lengths of 1" tubular webbing and slide these over abrasion points. You will have to slide these onto the rope before throwing the loose end to the bottom of the rappel, but they can be easily slid into place and positioned. This is an especially useful technique when fixing multiple drops in a canyon for reascent, as most canyoneers don't own more than one or two specialized rope protectors.
Step 3 - Reblocking the rappel strand: Begin by setting the rope length a dozen or so feet longer than neccessary and blocking the rappel line. After each rappeler completes his descent, release the contingency anchor and take up 1'-2' of rope and reblock the rappel strand. This changes the abrasion point each time, so that no one part of the rope suffers too much wear.
Step 4- Continuous release method:
While the descender is rappeling, have a team member very slowly lower the rappel line using a contingency anchor so that the abrasion point changes continuously over the length of the rappel. This method has become the favored method in abrasive canyons in Switzerland and France.
 
 
 
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