For problems related to the rope itself (like rope jams, needing to cut rope, and the like), we can offer a few pieces of advice.
General Advice
- Don’t panic! For tops: move slower than you think you should. For bottoms: don’t struggle if possible.
- Communicate! For tops: let the bottom know what you are doing now and doing next. For bottoms: let the top know what you are experiencing and where you have a pressing need.
- Know who is leading! When a problem arises, the top is not necessarily the best “lead” for addressing the problem. Sometimes, the bottom has a better sense of which needs should be addressed first, or which areas should be released first, in order to best guarantee their safety.
- As you tie, practice always having an emergency exit plan in mind (for tops and bottoms)
Stuck Knots
Prevention: Know how your knots work! (Most knots have better and worse ways to untie them.) Practice … both tying and untying!
- Attempt to untie only in non-emergency situations!
- In emergencies and when not under load, cut the rope (see below).
- If under load, see notes on emergency lowering below.
- Marlin spikes can help with untying knots.
Cutting Rope on the Body
Prevention: Tying well can help avoid this problem, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.
- Consider which lines bring the most immediate relief.
- Consider the easiest access location for those lines (look for gaps / natural crevices).
- Look for squishy skin locations for shears.
- Avoid squishy skin for hooks / knives.
Problematic Harness Shifts
Prevention: Tying well can help avoid this problem, as can understanding how to correctly load a particular harness, and methods to avoid. (The latter point is beyond the scope of this course.)
- If you can lift the portion of the body enough to re-dress or move rope without pain or injury, and if the rope is in a lower-risk location on the body, you can try doing so. The rope may still pinch.
- If you cannot do this without additional pain or risk of injury, then lower (if necessary) and re-tie.
This is not a suspension course. We recommend in-person instruction, extensive practice, and in-person assistance while moving into suspension work.
Rope Jams on Up-Lines
Prevention: Rope control and effective up-line management (beyond the scope of this course).
- Apply your “hand brake” on the up-line
- If possible, relieve pressure on the line (assisted lifting, adding a second up-line, etc.)
- Move the tails through the jam location in the opposite direction of the jam
- Give a strong pull on the up-line counter to the direction of the jam
Line Breaks or Shifts
Once again, this issue is beyond the scope of this course and mentioned here only to provide minimal guidance.
If a line shifts or breaks, the result is likely to result in:
- Compression injuries (see Notes on Nerves & Circulation)
- Bruising, rope burn (see Prevention & Response)
- Falling and other injuries
Therefore, prevention is the key here!
- Reduce forces on the rope (slow and controlled is best)
- Check the condition and type of rope
- Be mindful of bend radius of the suspension point
- Be mindful of the amount of friction / abrasion caused by suspension point
- Use effective lock-offs (get training / extended practice)
- Consider positioning of the bottom and other conditions (avoid head-down, have mats in place, etc.)