RRC Archives

I got a call last night from someone needing to know how to tie an Austrailian Harness. I asked if they meant a Swiss Seat and they replied that they had instructions to learn how to tie both.

I've never heard of an Australian Harness. Do any of you know what this is and how to tie it?

Thanks,

If I remember right, it's very similar to the swiss seat, but the tie-in (D-ring) will be in the back. It's for rappelling face first. Like when you need to assault an encampment that is down a hill or cliff and you want to be able to shoot at them while rapelling.... (Not that I've ever done that.... or have I??)

I was always told that you just put the harness on backwards and put your belay device through the belay loop like normal, only now it's on the small of your back so that you can shoot a gun. Maybe that's just Aussie Rappelling though?

I really shouldn't stoop to giving sport rappelling advice, but here goes...

Girth hitch a runner (or two to be redundant) to the back of your harness and clip a rappell device into that.

Or, for a completely stupid human trick, turn your harness around backwards. This way you can't see your buckle to know if its doubled back. Then zip face first down the rope.

Enjoy!

Yeah, it's Aussie Rappelling when you're facing the wrong way. My understanding form a former spec ops partner of mine is that it's generally frowned upon. I'm not certain, but I don't think they use harnesses when they do entries from helicopters a lot of the time. Remember Blackhawk Down? They're using a thick rope and gloves since they're only going about 50' and don't want to have to hassle with a biner attaching them to the chopper when there are three other people on the same rope and somebody is shooting at you.

Yeah, what the do now is called fast roping. Lot different without a harness. Can't do aussie fast roping either. Oh, I'm sure some teenage ninja wannabe could figure a way out, but then we'd see him on World's Wildest Videos or something.

Aahhhh.... Fastroping... those were the days. 90 feet of pure adrenaline, followed by your feet hitting the ground, your hands being about burnt off, and the next person's feet hitting your head... Such memories.