In the context of canyoning, Hands Free Backup (HFB) is something often used in Releasable Systems.
When releasing a system at the rappel station to lower someone, we get into a situation where someone's life is in our hands. It is crucial that we maintain control of the rope. For this reason, when time allows, it is beneficial to add a HFB before releasing the system.
If for some reason we accidentally let go of the rope, the HFB kicks in and stops the rope.
This HFB can be a prusik, or a second pair of hands. But the prusik installation takes time, and sometimes when a team member is under water exposure, or other time sensitive circumstance, we need to forgo the prusik installation. And most of the time, rappel stations are space limited spaces, so an extra pair of hands may not be available.
For these reasons, the FFME Canyonisme came up with alternative ways to implement HFBs about three years ago.
These new HFBs can be implemented in a number of different ways. Even with a Munter hitch.
The wide variety of devices, rope diameters and rope hand variations make it difficult to advocate for a one-fits-all HFB solution.
Given that my preferred rigging device is the Rock Exotica Totem, I implemented a number of HFB versions based on this device and different ropes.
Here is a video of a HFB Totem implementation. In this version, to make HFB adoption easier, it starts like a classic Totem Block, and only until a -release- is needed, the HFB enters into the picture. During future installments of the Technical Series, more HFB implementations will be shared.
References
FFME Canyonisme new HFB disemation 3 years ago.
Karma Rigging Labs is part of the Karma Canyoneering Network via the Instructional Canyoneering Resource Facebook Group.
