King County Explorer Search and Rescue was kind enough to let me film one of their trainings and demoed a lower and raise with me in the litter. SAR systems are fully redundant and have a large safety ratio they stay within. It's interesting to observe how they maintain that the entire time because as a highliner (the slackline kind), I'm redundantly safe with a 3:1 safety ratio...most of the time; but occasionally I'm standing near a cliff edge not tied in. SAR doesn't want more people injured when they help an injured person. I also learned how much people give of themselves as it is all volunteer based and you can find out how you can volunteer or donate to KCESAR http://kcesar.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/kingcountyesar. Also check out your local unit and get involved. 10% supports us Behind the Scenes Joseph Cruikshank connected me with Valon so we could plan to film one of their training outings. We didn't just want to talk about search and rescue but demo it. This video was intended to be an official introduction into a new activity we will be intentionally doing test videos for. This is actually the 2nd video as I dumped the previous one after I filmed and edited it because it wasn't up to the quality of my episodes. I end up tossing about 1 out of every 20-30 videos because we try to make them great, but sometimes they just don't work out. Couldn't rescue that first try! After Posting Thoughts We had a lot of positive feedback the the trolls kept it to a minimum which really helps other SAR units want to share things they may not have posted publicly before. Most SAR systems are kept close to the vest because there are a lot of opinions about any system chosen by a unit and it's hard to get the job done and manage those opinions. Subscribe to see more SAR episodes as we are currently planning more. Check out this episode with a fire fighter.

How safe is your webbing if you permanently leave it set up. Wade Desai and Marshall Leaver from Steel City Slackers have a perma-line up in west virginia and when they replaced the webbing, Wade sent it to me and I tested it. It had a segment connection in the middle, it was up for 2 full seasons, I tested the sewn loops and the most used parts of the webbing. Until I finish the website with the new blog system, here are the results: OUR RESULTS FYI: In all samples, the webbing broke in the back of the weblock. #1 - Backup 17.32kN #2 - Backup 17.34kN #3 - Backup 13.37kN!?!?! #4 - Backup 20.64kN #5 - Untensioned main line 20.53kN #6 - Main Line 20.42kN #7 - Main Line 17.82kN #8 - Main Line 18.44kN #9 - Main - part in weblock 20.26kN #10 - Main - most used part 20.31kN GEAR BUYING GUIDE LINKS - Clicking these links to buy gear supports us 👉👉👉Balance Community https://bit.ly/351FSFO Paradigm https://bit.ly/3AsTqe8 Paradigm Signature https://bit.ly/3NFefWJ Spanni https://bit.ly/357OCKh Jelly Pro Webbing https://bit.ly/3NLWJQC Weblock 6.0 https://bit.ly/3Asm5A4 Soft Shackles https://bit.ly/3nDcgru Follow Ian at https://www.instagram.com/ian_eisenberg/ 👉👉👉Spider Slacklines / Slack Inov Vortex 2 https://tinyurl.com/4uwfwtxn Leash https://tinyurl.com/ywh6jjf9 High Ring https://tinyurl.com/7m8njh3b Soft Shackles https://tinyurl.com/y3pvhj88 Rollex https://tinyurl.com/8nr45bbt Sky Diamond https://tinyurl.com/3scm6sab Infinity 2.0 https://tinyurl.com/yckmtfbn Tapeless Technology https://tinyurl.com/ynpkjfpm Joker Webbing https://tinyurl.com/a4wt3hwt Behind the Scenes This episode took an entire year. Wade was busy then sent it. I was busy when I got it. The backup breaking lower took a while to confirm that was labeled correctly. I didn't explain things in the lab so it needed narration which takes a lot more work and a pre-edit before I can do that. Wade filmed and sent the intro you saw in the video 3 different times because audio issues. However, it was a good test and worth sharing. In our testing, it's not as exciting as discovering something dangerous or confirming you are absolutely safe, but it's nice to see that it slightly degrades after a few seasons and it's prudent to replace the gear occasionally. This is one of many tests that have been done on permanent slacklines and most of the time, they are super good enough. After Posting Thoughts The buying guide in the 2nd half was an experiment to see if that was worth attaching to the end of a video vs making its own video about it. 20% of people ended up watching until the end which is more than I expected. I typically have 33% watching all the way through. The comments have more weight that then analytics so be sure to leave your feedback. More people said to separate it than to combine it and I feel the same way. I was willing to try the combo because I had too many videos I had to get out and I try not to post more than 2 or 3 times in a week. Check out this video where we tested slacklines contaminated with 16 different things.

Walking a giant highline is very very different than a highline 300 meters or less. Here are 12 different perspectives from people who cruise across it, to people who only stood up and walked a short distance. Sky Diamond from Spider Slacklines and Slack Inov was the webbing on this highline. They have some of the best gear on the market for slacklining. https://spider-slacklines.com/shop/en... We also interviewed the team at the last world record in Asbestos, Quebec, Canada. https://youtu.be/e4zcUdelz4Q This was the first slackline project to be sponsored through crowdfunding. We made soft shackles with the dyneema tag line as a gift to them and you can see more about that at https://youtu.be/BWA3BTmkLiE ➜➜➜Athletes: David Sjöström - (team leader - crossed) https://www.instagram.com/northernlin... Quirin Herterich (sent - full man) https://www.instagram.com/quirinherte... Ruben Langer (sent) https://www.instagram.com/ruben_lang_air Friedi Kühne (sent & BASE) https://www.instagram.com/friedikuehne Lukas Irmler (sent) https://www.instagram.com/lukasirmler Grzegorz Hoffmann (crossed) https://www.instagram.com/grze_hoff Martin Gravdal (crossed) https://www.instagram.com/gravdalmartin Annalisa Casiraghi (crossed) https://www.instagram.com/_lipsie_t JoEight Creations https://www.instagram.com/joeight_cre... Mathias Rohdin https://www.instagram.com/mathiasrohdin Cesare Mazzocchi https://www.instagram.com/cesaremazzo... Allez Rombergo https://www.instagram.com/rombergo Benjamin Brinch https://www.instagram.com/hitch.viking Annica Lundqvist https://www.instagram.com/jakarandaa Ryan Jenks https://www.instagram.com/howNOTtoHig... Behind the Scenes It was always a mystery to me what the experience was to walk such a big line before I got the chance to stand on one and witness people doing it in real life. I think this type of video can really inspire new highliners stoked on the hope they will get a chance to do this someday. After Posting Thoughts This is one of my lowest viewed videos in a long time, but it really puts a nice bow on the sweden project that we invested a lot of time and energy into. The real gold is seeing the actual project in this video

Canyon Rope Systems Canyon Rope Systems - Definitions and Terms Episode 1 of 10 This is a free course featuring Brent Roth about different ways to set up rappels through a canyon. This considers ease of rigging, abrasion, ease of rescue and how efficient it is to move people through the canyon. Our courses are A-Z content in blog format, glued together with an overarching blog we call a textbook. A blog format is easy to read, easy to update, and easy to translate. Be sure to begin at the TEXTBOOK and at the end of each episode we'll point you to the next. This episode is an overview of the different rappelling systems you can rig depending what your needs are. There are single rope, twin rope, double rope and doubleD rope systems Definitions of Terms Used in this Document Static - Once the system is weighted (someone on rappel) it can not be adjusted in rope length. Releasable - The rope can be lowered after the system is weighted (someone on rappel). These system should be used if on of three conditions exist: The rappel is in considerable flow or an immediate option to lower is desired. Precise rope length is needed to avoid excess rope for a swimming disconnect. Excess rope in a pool of moving water is a severe hazard that must be avoided. An abrasion point is identified. Lowering the rope while a person is on rappel mitigates rope damage to one spot. Retrievable - The rope can be retrieved (pulled) without changing the rigging system. The answer to "how am I going to get the rope back?" is make it retrievable. 😉 Considerable Flow - This is when the water flow during rappel can have an increased force on a person while on rappel. Courtesy Rigging - This is when a person builds a system to make the movement easier for everyone in the group. This type of rigging will usually have to be changed before the LAst Person At Risk (LAPAR) descends. For example, rigging the master point away from the edge for an easier start for the group then changing the master point (ring) to over the edge for an easier rope pull. Rig for Rescue - Rigging that supports immediate rescue or support to the person on rappel. Also known as contingency rigging. Ghosting Techniques - These are considered advanced techniques due to the required attention to detail when rigging. They provide less wear and tear on the rope and the natural anchors during a rope retrieval pull. They can be constructed with special devices or just rope. Parts of a system: Strand - Indicates one part of a rope going down a pitch. i.e. When a rope is pulled through an anchor to the middle and the ends tossed down there are now two strands. Rappel Strand - Primary rope used for vertical rope movement Pull Strand - Rope used to retrieve a rope or anchor material Frontside - The point of the anchor the rappel strand is on. Backside - The point of the anchor the pull strand is on. Sometimes referred to as the break strand. Hanging or Suspended - When a system is rigged using the Rappel Strand at the anchor. A good example would be rappelling from a Munter Mule Overhand. Blocked - When a system is rigged on the Pull Strand and is pulled against the anchor ring or quick-link. Traverse Line - Rope used for horizontal movement. Sometimes referred to as a handline. 10% Supports HowNOT2 They sell canyon gear and ship internationally Hierarchy of Rescue Self-Rescue - When a person has the skills and ability to perform their own rescue. This has the least impact on team safety. Indirect Rescue - This is when a person at the anchor has the skill and ability to aid in the rescue of a person on rappel from the anchor. This has a low impact on team safety but requires training and experience. Direct Rescue - A direct rescue requires a person to descend to a person in need of help. This could range from simple coaching to a direct pick-off. This puts a second-team member at a higher risk and requires a higher level of training and practice. Team Rescue - This is a rescue that requires several team members with a high level of coordination, training, and experience. This has the most potential for putting multiple members at risk but is often required for an evacuation. HowNOT2 SWAG System Ratings Each system is rated using four categories. Use these categories as a guide to better understand the pros and cons of each system. The pros/cons are in the form of a checklist to show what I consider when choosing a system. There are many things to consider when rigging a system at an anchor, but I feel these are the most important… Ease of Rigging - Efficient and simple are very important for a group with diverse rigging capability. This category is also important when team members are cold, tired, or under stress to minimize rigging errors. Little or no hardware Easy to identify Easy to learn It does not have to be re-rigged to retrieve Fast to rig Rig for Rescue - Some situations require a quick and immediate response to prevent an injury either by Direct Rescue or Indirect Rescue. For example, a foot entrapment in considerable flow. Properly identifying and rigging for these types of situations requires training and experience. In other situations, when a rescuer has time and there is no immediate threat to life, time is afforded for additional rigging when needed. No additional rigging is required for rescue Option to lower (Indirect Rescue) Option to rappel (Direct Rescue) Easy to self-rescue Easy to ascend Efficiency - The ability to move a group through a pitch is an important factor in overall canyon movement efficiency. The type of system used can greatly reduce the time spent on each pitch. Two people at a time It does not have to be re-rigged to retrieve Abrasion - This rating helps identify a system’s ability to manage rope abrasion excluding adding a deviation, rope protection, or eliminating abrasion points. One moving strand Two strands for rappelling Two moving strands Redundancy HowNOT2 Contribute If you have something to share, we'd love to add it. Please be kind by delivering something ready to add, whether that is a video or an image or a written piece, and tell us where you think it best fits. It doesn't have to agree with what we included, but it does have to be respectful and professional. There are a lot of great ideas out there and this is a place they can be shared. ryan@slackline.com What's Next? This course is free but not free to make. If it really helped you, please consider SUPPORTING US.

Canyon Rope Systems Single Rope Systems Episode 2 of 10 This is a free course featuring Brent Roth about different ways to set up rappels through a canyon. This considers ease of rigging, abrasion, ease of rescue and how efficient it is to move people through the canyon. Our courses are A-Z content in blog format, glued together with an overarching blog we call a textbook. A blog format is easy to read, easy to update, and easy to translate. Be sure to begin at the TEXTBOOK and at the end of each episode we'll point you to the next. This episode talks about a single rope system. That is when you can only rappel one strand of your rope. It needs to be set up to be RETRIEVABLE, but you can rig that to be STATIC or RELEASABLE. Single Rope Systems One strand for rappelling from the anchor Static - Once the rope is weighted it cannot be adjusted. When is this used? - Emergency rope access (Direct Rescue), Courtesy Rigging for a jump or down-climb, using more than half of your rope length for rappel, ghosting. When should you not use this? - In considerable flow, hydraulic or difficult swimming disconnect when an exact rope length is desired. When high abrasion points are identified and cannot be avoided. Examples - Basic: Figure 8 on a bight clipped to the anchor, knot block, carabiner block Advanced: Stone knot with a fiddlestick, CEM, macramé knot. Retrieval - For blocked configurations, simply pull on the strand with the block. For others, you must regain access to the anchor by ascending the rope, climbing, or use a ghosting technique. Releasable - The person on the rope can be lowered from the anchor. This can be achieved with a friction device or Münter on the rappel strand or using a blocking method on the backside. When is this used? - Rappelling in considerable flow, to set precise rope length, manage abrasion, indirect rescue. This is the most commonly used system in aquatic canyons. When should you not use this? - When the potential of high abrasion cutting a single strand exists. Examples - F8 block (EMO), Munter (MMO) Retrieval For MMO -> convert to knot block or carabiner block For F8 Block -> Remove backup, pull strand with block 10% Supports HowNOT2 They sell canyon gear and ship internationally If you have a bunch of rope in the water, you can get tangled up in it. A releasable system allows you to set a precise rope length just above the water so you are not swimming with your rope. At 1:14 in this video you can see what happens if you do! Single Rope Systems Rating Static System Ease of Rigging - Better This system is one of the easiest to rig. It can be a simple Fo8 clipped to the anchor (direct) or a blocked system. Some systems require extra equipment knowledge, like using a toggle, but are still easy to rig. ✅Little or no hardware ✅Easy to identify ✅Easy to learn ✅Fast to rig ❌It does not have to be re-rigged to retrieve Rigged for Rescue - Not really These systems have no immediate form of rescue without advanced training or extra rigging. This is why caution should be taken when rigging a static single system in a complex environment or traveling with beginners. Self-rescue is easier on a single strand, you potentially have some rope in reserve, and a single strand is easier to ascend so I gave it two stars. ✅Easy to self-rescue ✅Easy to ascend ❌No additional rigging is required for rescue ❌Option to lower (Indirect Rescue) ❌Option to rappel (Direct Rescue) Efficient - Not completely One person at a time on rappel is not efficient for moving a group. Depending on the type of system (direct or blocked) the rigging will not have to be changed for retrieval. This saves some time and reduces the opportunities for error, but doesn't equal the time needed to move more than four people. ✅No additional steps are required to retrieve ❌Two people at a time Abrasion Protection - None Since the rope can not be adjusted once it is weighted, there is no way to manage abrasion from the anchor. Other measures must be taken (ie deviation, rope protection, or elimination) to manage rope abrasion. ❌One moving strand ❌Two strands for rappel ❌Two moving strands ❌Redundancy HowNOT2 SWAG Single Rope Systems Rating Releasable System Ease of Rigging - Better With little training, this system is the go-to for many canyoners. The two most commonly used are based on the Munter Mule Overhand (MMO) or the Figure 8 device. Both can be quickly tied and are easily recognized with some training and practice. ✅Easy to identify ✅Easy to learn ✅Fast to rig ✅It does not have to be re-rigged to retrieve ❌Little or no hardware Rigged for Rescue - Better Since these systems are releasable, there is an immediate option for an Indirect Rescue by lowering the person on rappel. In a swiftwater (class C) canyon, more training is highly recommended to identify hazards and how to appropriately use a releasable system. ✅Easy to self-rescue ✅Easy to ascend ✅No additional rigging is required for rescue ✅Option to lower (Indirect Rescue) ❌Option to rappel (Direct Rescue) Efficient - It depends… One person at a time on rappel is not efficient for moving a group. Depending on the type of system (direct or blocked) the rigging will not have to be changed for retrieval. This saves some time and reduces the opportunities for error, but doesn't equal the time needed to move more than four people ✅No additional steps are required to retrieve ❌Two people at a time Abrasion Protection - Good Since this system can be lowered, the rope can be allowed to move while a person is on rappel. This moves any abrasion to the rope down while the rope is under tension. This is an effective way to manage multiple moderate abrasion points on a single rappel. ✅One moving strand ❌Two strands for rappelling ❌Two moving strands ❌Redundancy HowNOT2 Contribute If you have something to share, we'd love to add it. Please be kind by delivering something ready to add, whether that is a video or an image or a written piece, and tell us where you think it best fits. It doesn't have to agree with what we included, but it does have to be respectful and professional. There are a lot of great ideas out there and this is a place they can be shared. ryan@slackline.com What's Next? This course is free but not free to make. If it really helped you, please consider SUPPORTING US.