Uploaded instructions for Basic Rappelling Methods using the Totem.
The Totem is a very versatile rappelling device. This Tech Guide describes a few of the most common methods – standard figure eight, vertaco and throttle modes – plus how to add friction on the fly and how to lock off mid-rappel
These photos show the Totem in use in a lowering system during a practice rescue operation conducted as part of a Rigging for Rescue course in Ouray, Colorado.
The rope was rigged on a Scarab in low-friction mode with a Totem rigged behind it in plaquette mode. The Totem provided an auto-locking mechanism. Hands off and the Totem locks off. Lever the bottom end of the Totem to release and lower. Lowering speed can be easily controlled using the lever.
The blue rope in the photos is the anchor rigging. The dark blue cord on the lower left in the upper photo is a prusik standing by for converting the lowering system to a haul.
Uploaded instructions for Rigging a Releasable Block using the Totem.
Rigging the rappelling rope with a releasable block provides some distinct advantages: (1) setting the rope length allows for simple disconnects at the bottom of the rappel, (2) the releasable system can be used to lower a rappeller from the anchor if the rope is not long enough to reach the bottom, or if hair or other material becomes stuck in the rappelling device.
Article by Rich Carlson
No, this thread is not about bootleg or counterfeit carabiners. This is a gear review of the Pirate Carabiner made by Rock Exotica.
Rock Exotica, if you haven’t heard of them is the company in Clearfield, Utah, famous for manufacturing the Rescuescender, the Arizona Vortex Rescue Tripod and the Omni Block Pulleys used in Aztec Rescue Kits. They are also the company that makes Petzl’s carabiners and now my Totem rappelling and rigging device. The company has its own line of carabiners; most of them steel for rescue applications. They asked me to give their aluminum Pirate carabiner a try for canyoneering. I did and I like it.
The Pirate closely resembles a Petzl Attache. Beefy stock, 0.47 inch diameter. Attache is gold. Pirate is copper-colored. Along the major axis, the Attache is rated to 23 kN, while the Pirate is rated to 26. On the minor axis, the Attache is rated to 7 kN, while the pirate is rated to 11. The Pirate is slightly longer — 4.2 inches — compared to the Attache at 3.9 inches.
While both carabiners are HMS (pear-shaped) the Pirate is slightly longer on the spine side, giving it a bit more D shape. This allows more of the load to settle along the spine, thus the extra major axis strength.
Extra strength on the minor axis can likely be attributed to the fact that the gate barrel screws farther up the nose than the Attache’s barrel.
The Pirate’s gate is slightly offset, allowing for a greater gate opening than the Attache. It also has cute features like a padlock image with an arrow showing the correct direction to turn the gate barrel to lock it and a skull and cross bones that is visible when the carabiner is not locked.
I believe the Pirate is destined to become my new favorite utility carabiner for canyoneering. I have but one reservation in recommending it … At the end of the day when we’re sorting gear it is easy for me to spot my copper-colored Pirate carabiners. It will get complicated again when all of you start using Pirates, too.
Article by Rich Carlson
 Proper racking of gear on your harness can make a big difference in efficiency and safety. The photo on the right illustrates poorly racked gear.
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