Safety Tips for Your Low Ropes Program
/Safety Tips for Your Low Ropes Program
By Kathy Haras, Ph.D
My past few weeks of travels have focused on low ropes
course trainings – helping instructors (both new and experienced) great ready
for the fall season. As you enjoy this great weather with your first groups of
the season, I’ll remind you about five (5) safety rules that apply regardless
of the element.
- People’s heads should remain above their
knees. Particularly in the final stages of the Initiative Wall but also
during the Eagle’s Nest and Boom Crossing.
Similarly, people being passed thru a Spider’s Web or Porthole should be
set (gently) onto their feet.
- Do not wrap ropes around body parts.
Doesn’t matter whether the rope is attached to a Bullring, a Trolley (aka Land
Ski), or A-Frame. It is similarly a bad idea if it’s a Cable Traverse handline,
a Tension Traverse rope, or the haul rope on a Cargo Crossing. This rule helps prevent
rope burn and joint dislocations.
- No dynamic movement. This means that
the participant must be able to stop moving instantly. The rule eliminates
diving thru Spider’s Webs and Hex Holes, flying thru the air for the Nitro
Crossing rope, jumping for stumps and platforms, and leaping for the finish
line. Swinging elements are not exceptions – participants’ motion on the
element should still be controlled, it’s just that the element moves too.
- No running. Really. Not on cables,
boards, or poles. Not when they are wet and not when they are dry. Remind
participants that hurrying doesn’t improve balance. It also leads to violations
of Rule #3.
- Ask participants to announce “moving
equipment” before moving heavy items. This rule applies to boards on
elements like the
In addition to these rules 5 rules make sure
that your staff have been adequately trained and are familiar with the Local
Operating Procedures that have been provided by the professional installer of
the course.