What is a contingency anchor?
In short: Emergency Anchor.
A contingency anchor is a temporary, adjustable anchor system that is widely used in canyoning, caving, and rescue work. It provides a safe and controlled way to set up ropes for descents, with easy and quick rope release in the event of an emergency. A contingency anchor allows rescuers or guides to quickly and safely lower someone who is trapped or in distress without having to resume or reset their descent.
Features and Benefits of a Contingency Anchor
- Quick Release: One of the most important features of a contingency anchor is that the rope can be released quickly. This provides a quick way out in the event of an emergency, such as a trapped participant.
- Adaptability: The system can be adapted to different situations. By hooking in or positioning the rope differently, the system can provide both a belay and an immediate release.
- Safety in Difficult Sections: In canyoning and caving, where you often have to deal with water currents, slippery rocks and narrow passages, the contingency anchor makes it easier to intervene in unexpected situations.
Materials you Use with a Contingency Anchor
- Ropes and Carabiners: A static rope is often used, together with carabiners, to attach and secure the anchor.
- Descenders (such as a Petzl I'D or Petzl Rig): These allow the rope to be tensioned and provide a braking system that can be quickly released if necessary.
- Webbing loops or Slings: Used to attach the rope to an anchor point, such as a tree or rock, without having to wrap the rope directly around the anchor point.
Applications of a Contingency Anchor
A contingency anchor is ideal for situations where guides or rescuers want to maintain full control and be able to intervene immediately if a participant becomes stuck. It is often used:
- In Rescue Operations: To safely and quickly bring an injured climber down.
- In Canyoning Routes: In strong currents or waterfalls where rapid intervention is required.
By using the contingency anchor, guides and rescuers have a flexible and quickly adaptable system to respond safely and appropriately to emergency situations.
Here’s an overview of what an emergency anchor might look like, along with instructions on how to set one up:
Basic Setup of a Contingency Anchor
- Anchor Point: Secure a loop of static rope around a solid anchor point, such as a large rock, tree, or metal anchor.
- Figure 8 or Overhand Knot: Tie a Figure 8 or overhand knot on a bight to create a loop, which will serve as the main anchor point for the contingency system.
- Carabiners: Attach a locking carabiner through the loop. Make sure the carabiner gate is closed and locked for safety.
- Descending Device: Clip an adjustable descending device (such as a Petzl I'D) to the carabiner. Run the rope through the descending device so that it can be controlled from above.
- Quick Release: For quick release, loop the rope back into the descending device in such a way that it holds the weight but can be quickly detached if necessary.
Advanced Setup with a Backup
- Backup Knot: Tie a backup knot (like a prusik knot or autoblock) a short distance down the rope. This will catch the rope in case the primary descending device needs to be detached.
- Adjustable Release Line: Attach a secondary line to the backup knot and secure it to the anchor point. This line can act as a controlled release if the primary descending device needs to be detached.
- Secondary Carabiner Attachment: Use a second carabiner to clip the backup line to the anchor point, allowing for controlled release under tension.
Conclusion
While contingency rigging is probably not necessary in all circumstances, it is a great tool to have in your toolkit. You should know how to rescue someone using mechanical advantage or a pick-off if you consider yourself proficient in the vertical environment.
Overview Knowledge base Technical terms for canyoning and caving (caving): Go back
CanyonZone
-
- Experts in canyoning & caving gear - ship worldwide
-
- NEW - Petzl Canyoning / Caving Line 2024
- New items in assortment
- Special offers
- 2nd hand canyoning caving articles
- Items / packages customer specific
- Pre-ordering 2025
- Giftcards of CanyonZone
-
- Canyoning (basic) equipment
- Canyoning equipment packages
- Luggage / Travel Bags
-
Canyoning Neoprene clothing
- Size charts by Brand
- Aventure Verticale (AV) size charts
- CE4Y neoprene size charts
- GUARA neoprene size charts
- Seland neoprene clothing size charts
- Newex neoprene size charts
- NRS neoprene size charts
- Vade Retro neoprene size charts
- Custom made neoprene wetsuit, required size data
- Canyoning Wetsuits
- Protective Canyoning Clothing
- Canyoning Neoprene Headgear
- Canyoning Drysuit / Undersuit
- Canyoning Neoprene shirts & shorts
- Canyoning Knee - elbow protectors / pads
- Canyoning Neoprene gloves
- Canyoning Neoprene socks
- Canyoning shoes
- Harnesses & Accessories
- Helmets outdoor sports
- Carabiners & maillons
- Descend devices
- Ascending / Rise along rope
- Pulleys
- Rope & webbing slings
- Anchoring & accessories
- Via Ferrata / Klettersteig sets
- Outdoor Gloves / (ice-)canyoning, caving, via ferrata
- Canyoning Back Packs, bags & duffels
- Drybags & Kegs, Boats
- Outdoor Knives & Scissors
- Safety in outdoor sports
- First Aid / Medical Articles
- Rescue in outdoor sports
- Camping, Bivouac & Backpacking
- Winter- / Ice Canyoning
-
Canyoning Books & Topographic Maps
- Map Pouch
-
Canyoning Guide Books
- Australia
- Austria
- France (including Corsica and La Reunion)
- Germany
- Greece (including Crete) / Balkans
- Israel
- Italy (including Sardinia)
- Jordan / Middle East
- Morocco
- New Zealand & Australia
- Portugal (including Madeira and Azores)
- Scandinavia
- Slovenia
- Spain (including Canary Islands and Majorca)
- United Kingdom (UK) / Scotland
- United States of America
- South America
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Canyoning Techniques & Skills
- Canyoning Maps
- Outdoor Children's Books
- Outdoor DVDs
- Via Ferrata / Klettersteig books
- Repair & Maintenance
- Miscellaneous items outdoor sports
-
- Especially for Ladies
- Especially for Children
- Especially for Instructors and Guides
- Especially for Outdoor Sports Companies
- Especially for Underwater / Cave diving / Diving
-
- Caving (basic) equipment
- Caving equipments packages
- Caving Suits / Overalls
- Caving Under Suits
- Caving Boots / Wellies
- Caving Socks
- Caving Knee- and Elbow Pads
- Caving Gloves
- Headlamps & torches
- Caving Bags & BackPacks
- Tents and Bivi bags
- Caving & Potholing Books
-
- Climbing related gear: on request
- Services
-
- CanyonZone New(s)
- CanyonZone Customer Service
- Contact about Assortment
- Business ordering at CanyonZone
- About CanyonZone
- CanyonZone's FAQ
- CanyonZone's Knowledge Base
- About CanyonZone, owner Gertjan van Pelt
- Works together with
- Link exchange
-
- Privacy
- Terms and Conditions
-
Terms and Conditions Rental
-