French Wrap Rappel Safety Myths Debunked
Posted: May 31, 2007 12:43 pm
The French Wrap rappel safety has been the subject of much discussion and many incorrect opinions have been expressed about its use or application. I have been using and promoting the use of the French Wrap for 6 years and would like to provide insight on several of the myths associated with previous discussions.
The French Wrap is an auto block knot placed below the rappel device attached to the leg loop of your harness. I have successfully used the French Wrap with racks of all types and sizes, figure 8's, munter hitches, and bobbin type devices.
The French Wrap is not a silver bullet approach to rappel safety. It's use is no substitute for proper training, practice and experience with the rappel device you choose to use. The French Wrap must be properly attached to you harness and adjusted properly depending on rope conditions, harness configuration, rappel device used, and rappel conditions for it to function properly.
Use of the French Wrap is as much as a rappel technique as it is a rappel safety device. Proper use of the French Wrap must be learned and practiced to be effective. When used properly by an experienced rappeller, it will arrest an out of control rappel and prevent you from falling to your death should you become injured or incapacitate on rope by illness or rock fall. The French Wrap will also prevent an out of control rappel should you experience unexpected rope or rappel conditions during your descent.
The French Wrap is a second life support attachment while rappelling. Should you experience a rappel device failure or become detached from your rappel device, the French Wrap will keep you attached to the rope and prevent you from falling to your death.
The French Wrap will engage stopping your rappel in you panic and let go of it. The French Wrap will engage stopping your rappel if you panic and squeeze it tightly. The French Wrap does not interfere with normal use of your brake hand when properly placed in your rappel system. Both hands can be used to manage your rack or rappel device during your rappel when using the French Wrap.
The French Wrap will effectively provide a soft lock off of your rappel device when rope weight prevents a hard lock off on long rappels. Proper use of the French Wrap to provide a soft lock for your rappel device on long drops requiring management of rope pads makes these lips easier to cross.
The French Wrap can be used with over the hip rope placement or between the leg rope placement. The French Wrap can and has been used on long drops up to 2650' at El Cap. The French Wrap can and has been used on tandem rappels up to 2650' at El Cap and triple tandem rappels of 1150' at Golindrainious.
The French Wrap has been demonstrated effectively stopping rappel weights of 400 lbs without damaging the rope. The French Wrap will not cut a rope when engaged at high rappel speeds like mechanical devices will under shock load conditions.
The French Wrap WILL NOT allow you to change rope position during a rappel from on side of the body to the other to fully capture the bottom bar of a rappel rack. It will not prevent use of the bottom bar even when the bar is not fully captured by the rope and in my experience does not hinder the proper operation of a rappel rack.
When used properly by trained, practiced and experienced rapellers, the French Wrap will prevent injury and save your life in an emergency rappel situation.
The French Wrap is an auto block knot placed below the rappel device attached to the leg loop of your harness. I have successfully used the French Wrap with racks of all types and sizes, figure 8's, munter hitches, and bobbin type devices.
The French Wrap is not a silver bullet approach to rappel safety. It's use is no substitute for proper training, practice and experience with the rappel device you choose to use. The French Wrap must be properly attached to you harness and adjusted properly depending on rope conditions, harness configuration, rappel device used, and rappel conditions for it to function properly.
Use of the French Wrap is as much as a rappel technique as it is a rappel safety device. Proper use of the French Wrap must be learned and practiced to be effective. When used properly by an experienced rappeller, it will arrest an out of control rappel and prevent you from falling to your death should you become injured or incapacitate on rope by illness or rock fall. The French Wrap will also prevent an out of control rappel should you experience unexpected rope or rappel conditions during your descent.
The French Wrap is a second life support attachment while rappelling. Should you experience a rappel device failure or become detached from your rappel device, the French Wrap will keep you attached to the rope and prevent you from falling to your death.
The French Wrap will engage stopping your rappel in you panic and let go of it. The French Wrap will engage stopping your rappel if you panic and squeeze it tightly. The French Wrap does not interfere with normal use of your brake hand when properly placed in your rappel system. Both hands can be used to manage your rack or rappel device during your rappel when using the French Wrap.
The French Wrap will effectively provide a soft lock off of your rappel device when rope weight prevents a hard lock off on long rappels. Proper use of the French Wrap to provide a soft lock for your rappel device on long drops requiring management of rope pads makes these lips easier to cross.
The French Wrap can be used with over the hip rope placement or between the leg rope placement. The French Wrap can and has been used on long drops up to 2650' at El Cap. The French Wrap can and has been used on tandem rappels up to 2650' at El Cap and triple tandem rappels of 1150' at Golindrainious.
The French Wrap has been demonstrated effectively stopping rappel weights of 400 lbs without damaging the rope. The French Wrap will not cut a rope when engaged at high rappel speeds like mechanical devices will under shock load conditions.
The French Wrap WILL NOT allow you to change rope position during a rappel from on side of the body to the other to fully capture the bottom bar of a rappel rack. It will not prevent use of the bottom bar even when the bar is not fully captured by the rope and in my experience does not hinder the proper operation of a rappel rack.
When used properly by trained, practiced and experienced rapellers, the French Wrap will prevent injury and save your life in an emergency rappel situation.