Performing a swimming disconnect on a Pirana.

[Deathcricket]

I noticed some talk on performing a swimming disconnect last week here. And this weekend I captured footage of an almost perfect swimming disconnect from a total noob. This was his very first time performing something like this and I think he did an awesome job. I also talked him through it a bit, so this video might be helpful to others who want to watch and learn. It's not always feasible to have the rope length be right exactly where you need it. I've found it rare you can actually look over the edge and see the bottom where the rope sits in the water. So this is a good skill to have.

1. Rap down to the water's edge, the closer the better. Do not perform step 2 unless you can free-fall safely into the water.
2. While still out of the water, undo any complicated rigging. In this case he had a leg biner and also unscrewed his main one attached to his device so he would not have to do it in the water. Make sure to use only your non-braking hand, otherwise you will keep descending and have to do this while treading water.
3. Fall into water, making sure you fully discharge your weight off the rope and there is slack available. (credit to Tom)
4. Using both hands, remove rope while making absolutely sure your device remains attached to your harness at all times. If it is dropped, you will most likely lose it.
5. Once the rope is clear and you still have your device attached to you, swim out.
6. Celebrate with a high five on your successful water escape and not losing any equipment.



Uploaded in Full HD for your viewing pleasure.

[ratagonia]

I noticed some talk on performing a swimming disconnect last week here. And this weekend I captured footage of an almost perfect swimming disconnect from a total noob. This was his very first time performing something like this and I think he did an awesome job. I also talked him through it a bit, so this video might be helpful to others who want to watch and learn. It's not always feasible to have the rope length be right exactly where you need it. I've found it rare you can actually look over the edge and see the bottom where the rope sits in the water. So this is a good skill to have.

Nice...

It generally helps to plunge into the water fairly deeply (but not over-head), then pull up into an easy floating position, so that there is some slack in the rope above you. I have seen many noobs trying to unhook while their weight is still partially held by the rope going up and that just doesn't work...

T

[canyonguru]

no offense but i would be more impressed with a total noob disconnecting in water with an ATC or a regular figure 8 without dropping it. Piranha's are the easiest device to disconnect from being that the device does not need to be taken off of the Biner. But still good job for the noob getting off rope.

[Iceaxe]

no offense but i would be more impressed with a total noob disconnecting in water with an ATC or a regular figure 8 without dropping it.

An ATC should never come off the biner if you are disconnecting correctly.... and guys that use an 8 normally flip it around and clip the large end into the biner before removing the rope so they don't drop it.

[Deathcricket]

I am not impressed, pirana's are EZ

Looking forward to you starting a superior "How to water disconnect from an ATC or figure 8" thread with high def footage.

[ratagonia]

Looking forward to you starting a superior "How to water disconnect from an ATC or figure 8" thread with high def footage.

[canyonguru]

That is true Ice with most ATC's but i have an Omega ATC that you have to take it off to get the rope off and yes the figure 8 flip is the correct way to discconect in the water but like i said most noobs would not know this. But even with the figure eight flip you are still taking the 8 off of and out of the Biner to clip it into the large hole. I think, if i am thinking of what you are thinking of.

[optikal]

An ATC should never come off the biner if you are disconnecting correctly....

What would the correct way be?

[Iceaxe]

The tube style belay device I have the most experiance with is an ATC, which is a Black Diamond product. All Black Diamond ATC's have a little wire thingy.... and when you disconnect you open the biner and flick the rope out but do not remove the wire thingy from inside the biner....

And yes, the flip the 8 method does remove the 8 from the biner, but only for a moment and while it might not completely eliminate lost 8's it greatly reduces the chance of losing an 8.

Anyhoo.... that's what I do... and I have yet to drop an ATC.... I stopped using an 8 about 10 years ago so I'm probably not the best person to ask about 8's.... YMMV

[optikal]

The tube style belay device I have the most experiance with is an ATC, which is a Black Diamond product. All Black Diamond ATC's have a little wire thingy.... and when you disconnect you open the biner and flick the rope out but do not remove the wire thingy from inside the biner....

aah okay, already been doing that... figured there might have been some trick I wasn't aware of. Thanks

[oldno7]

A figure 8, while removed from your harness attachment carabiner, is still attached to the rope, it is never, not connected, to either the biner or the rope.

As far as a wet disconnect, my preferred method would be to set rope length to a height, slightly above the water level. Then as you rappel to the bottom, the rope runs through your rap device and is already being disconnected(you rappel off the end) as you enter the water, thus avoiding having to swim around and try to disconnect.

As a figure 8 type user(double 8) setting rope length is a good idea on any rappel to avoid the inevitable rope twist brought on by figure 8 type devices.

[ratagonia]

A figure 8, while removed from your harness attachment carabiner, is still attached to the rope, it is never, not connected, to either the biner or the rope.

As far as a wet disconnect, my preferred method would be to set rope length to a height, slightly above the water level. Then as you rappel to the bottom, the rope runs through your rap device and is already being disconnected(you rappel off the end) as you enter the water, thus avoiding having to swim around and try to disconnect.

As a figure 8 type user(double 8) setting rope length is a good idea on any rappel to avoid the inevitable rope twist brought on by figure 8 type devices.

You mean, you like to do the floating disconnect by NOT doing the floating disconnect? Me too, but the posited situation was where the anchor setter was unable to see the bottom of the rappel.

Perhaps worth noting (perhaps not), on this particular rappel you cannot actually see the bottom, you can however see ripples in the water, so you can set the length with great accuracy...

Tom

[oldno7]

You mean, you like to do the floating disconnect by NOT doing the floating disconnect? Me too, but the posited situation was where the anchor setter was unable to see the bottom of the rappel.

Perhaps worth noting (perhaps not), on this particular rappel you cannot actually see the bottom, you can however see ripples in the water, so you can set the length with great accuracy...

Tom

in such a case(can't see the bottom), after the first person raps, he can communicate with someone at the anchor to set rope length. Communication can be, talking, yelling, whistle, hand signals, radio, etc. Setting rope length may or may not be necessary, but it does help improve your image in the community.

AND, it helps the strange folks who use other devices, like you more.(not bitchin' bout twisted rope)

[canyonguru]

i will admit that using any device like an 8 does twist the rope. i am still not a fan of the ATC just because of how you have to load the device with the rope. the piranha is so dang easy to use and with my weight it works great for me. I am looking at getting an ATS one of these days though.

[remoteman45]

Hydrobot is my device of choice if I know I'm gonna be in water

[Iceaxe]

I HATE those dang rope twistin' 8's or any of their relatives..... just sayin'...

[Scott Card]

If i am last down I will usually use an ATC with the specific purpose of untwisting the rope.

[oldno7]

If i am last down I will usually use an ATC with the specific purpose of untwisting the rope.

You can do the same thing with an 8 type device, just clip your longer tether between the 2 strands above your rapelling device. This keeps the strands parallel as the last guy rappels. It does add a slight bit more friction.

[Y2k509]

...a total noob.

You said a mouthful there buddy. I was the other noob on the trip and did it way worse. Hung in the water with the rope tight FOREVER. I like the idea of jumping in the water to give yourself more slack for the disconnect. I'll try that next time.
On a side note, Deathcricket and Deeps really took good care of us. They were very patient, provided good instruction, and made me feel safe.
OK, now where is that pollywog emoticon...

[Deathcricket]

You said a mouthful there buddy. I was the other noob on the trip and did it way worse. Hung in the water with the rope tight FOREVER. I like the idea of jumping in the water to give yourself more slack for the disconnect. I'll try that next time.
On a side note, Deathcricket and Deeps really took good care of us. They were very patient, provided good instruction, and made me feel safe.
OK, now where is that pollywog emoticon...

You did fine as well!!!

I just posted "his" because people here have a short attention span and 2 mins was even pushing it. You'll see when the footage gets to ya. I'm seriously going to make a DVD of only polywog porn and try to sell it on the internet. Someone besides me has to be fascinated with those little buggers.