Abseiling

Activity Description: Abseiling is a way to descend from a height using a rope. In this activity, we were taught by a few experts from the Fijian Army Planned hours: Creativity: (2 hours) incorporating my knowledge of the various knots used whilst repelling, as well as safety measure taken so as to not endure bodily harm. (4 hours) repelling down a platform with your feet on the side of the wall, and freefalling (1 hour) the student learnt how to tie various knots related to abseiling, as well as repel from a platform, and freefall

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Commencement date: 14/06/12 Planned finish: 14/06/12 Supervisor: Peni Vaciloa

Today the Year 11s along with the year12s had the opportunity to learn about abseiling from a few experts in the army. In the MPH (multi-purpose hall) we found many pieces of rope lying on the floor. We were to assign ourselves a piece of rope. From then on we were taught how to tie these knots; a bowline knot, a figure eight, a butterfly knot and a tape knot. We were also taught how to create our own harnesses if ever we were faced with a situation in which we had no professional harness to repel down a platform or structure. Ok so this is what I consider a professional harness:

At the time, the school did not have the proper harnesses. To make up for that, the men from the army taught us how to craft one from a piece of rope. After that they demonstrated to us how you repel from a platform. If you want to repel downwards with the least amount of problems, your feet have to be flat against the wall, and you have to lean all the way back, like youre standing straight, but the person holding the rope beneath you must stretch the rope till its taut before you can repel. They showed us how you can stop yourself halfway, or at any point really. After that a few of us were chosen to repel from the metal bridge above the MPH, where all the lights are for the stage. It was like bungee jumping but less death defying, we didnt even have any safety mats to catch us. Free-falling was the most terrifying. The few students that were chosen were expected to incorporate what they had just learnt. Unfortunately I was one of them. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever done, but in the end I was actually glad I had done it because of the overwhelming feeling of pride and accomplishment I had afterwards.