Pendulums/Line Crossing
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 4:16PM Pendulums and Line Crossings are useful Rope Assisted transport techniques. We often use them to avoid longer more hazardous swims. Attention to the small details can help us maximize our benefit and reduce our potential struggles while using rope assisted rescue techniques.
Pendulum Techniques
Classic Pendulums
Use a solid Anchor/Belay position (Hip Belay, Back Up Belay, Friction Belay, Dynamic Belay)
Use a minimum of 1 less Anchor/Belay person than # of people being transported
The pendulum slows down and is harder to hold as the angle to the current vector decreases (try standing further back from the shoreline for quick and easy pendulums (somewhat counter-intuitive)
Those being transported need to grab hold the rope in their "in river" hand opposite the direction of travel
Assisted Pendulums
Add a Helper line to "deflect" the angle open (for quicker more efficient pendulum)
Tensioned Diagonals allow us to transport from upstream on one side of the river to downstream on the opposite side of the river.
Weak side anchor is usually a Tensionless Hitch (No Knot)
Strong side anchor can be a a 3:1 tensioning the line with the tension captured by a prussic, tandem prussic and/or on a load releasing hitch such as a Mariner's Hitch, Radium Release Hitch or Munter Mule.
Progress Capture anchor can be backed up by putting a No Knot on a separate anchor point.
Anchor can also be hand tensioned or hand held.
When joining 2 lines together use a flat overhand that a large carabiner can pass over
Hold the transport mechanism with the proper hand to put your body on ferry angle
Transport mechanism can be retrieved by affixing a retrieval line.
Direct Line Crossing
Set a line directly across the river to use as a wading or swimming assistive line. Be cautious that after reaching 1/2 way the crossing may become more difficult as now you will have to work somewhat upstream against the current.
Teaching Tips
Students enjoy setting up Tensioned Diagonals despite the fact they are rarely used. Take the opportunity to make it into a team work, line ferry and MA exercise rather than just a line crossing technique. These are fun activities to practice for students.
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