Accident Report -- Mexico

[bps]

Hello --

During an expedition to the Cave of the Swallows in Mexico, there was an accident on November 19th involving Dave Flannell. I was present during the accident and the rescue efforts that ensued.

For many of us, it was our first time to the Cave, so all of us were rappelling to inspect the landing area and understand the cave's dimensions before making our first jumps which were to come the following day. We were using a Petzl 5-bar Rack on static rope for the 1,200ft rappel.

Dave was approximately 400ft from the bottom of the cave when for reasons unknown to us, his brake hand came off the rope and he was unable to regain control of his descent.

Three team members who were already at the bottom of the cave reached Dave within 30 seconds and resuscitation efforts began. At the top, we went into immediate action by lowering down another one of our team members who is an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) with all of our emergency medical supplies. He reached the bottom at the 22 minute mark and took over from those who had been performing CPR since the onset of the accident. After 46 minutes, with no sign of recovery, CPR was stopped.

The next 4 hours were spent carefully recovering Dave's body and extracting the remaining team members from the bottom of the cave.

We were not allowed to move Dave from the top of the cave until the Haustecan Indian's priest could bless him with a prayer ceremony. After the ceremony, the Haustecans burned a candle by Dave's side and we remained there in silence until the candle burned out late in the night. The Haustecan's genuine care and respect was very moving.

As a group, all of us have decided to call off the remainder of the expedition out of respect for Dave's family and friends as well as the Haustecan Indians that inhabit the area.

The expedition organizers, along with one of Dave's close friends who is also on this trip, have been working around the clock with the US Embassy to ensure that Dave and all of his belongings reach home safely.

Even though I only knew Dave for a few days, it only took 30 seconds to grow a liking to his smiling face and bubbly personality. We are all saddened by this loss and send deep condolence to Dave's family and friends.

Please understand that I am on the road and in some remote places, so it may be a few days before I can reply.

C-ya,

Bryan

[ImageThisPhoto]

I just met Dave at Bridge Day, while doing photography through the event. I didnt get much time to chat with Dave, but the moments I was around he was a real kind and fun-loving to those amongst him. He left an impression, so when I heard the news I was very upset and wondered what the cause was.
After reading the update, I feal this was something that could have been prevented,,, like most accidents. As a highly experienced climber, I feel I can offer some advice for future expeditions.
The "Rack" is one of the most known about descending devices invented. Its used for long raps and/or heavy loading. *The disadvantage is: You must retain control of your rope at all times.
By a simple slip, you can be in trouble. A big descent like the cave can be tiring even for an 18 year old.
There are two devices I would recommend over the Racks, one is listed below:
#1 is the "Petzle Stop"- This device is controled by a one hand being on the release/lower lever, and the other on the down-end of the rope,, much like a rack. If the lever hand lets go/fumbles the device locks up. The Hand controlling the down-rope is just for secondary control. In other words to stop,,just let go of the "Stop". The harder you squeeze the handle the faster you go down.
If Dave was too tired or had a heart attack, the device would have arrested his fall.
Its unfortunate that something like this has happened, but maybe it will help many avoid a similar accident.
My deapest condolences go to Daves family and friends!!
My next jump is dedicated to Dave!!!

CYA Soon,
Josh Morell

[SenorCuete]

The "Petzle Stop" (sic) should *NEVER* be used for long drops like Golondrinas. The Petzl web site and catalog contain a lot of information about vertical caving as well as Petzl equipment. They will tell you themselves never to use bobbin type descenders for long drops. There are several reasons but the top two are that bobbins don't have variable enough friction and that they can't dissipate enough heat for long free drops. The only device that you should use is a long (six bar) rack. I live in the west and haven't been to bridge day but next time you go you should look at the equipment used by cavers at the event. I would be surprised to see anyone using a bobbin.

Cavers have been going to Golondrinas since the 1960s with no accidents that I know of. Perhaps BASE jumpers should familiarize themselves with the equipment and techniques that they use. Also Golondrinas is probably not the best place for one to learn about vertical Caving.

Cuete

[imported_mknutson]

Are there any online documents/resources you can point me to so I may add some information for users here on BLiNC?

Would you be willing to help create some documents for the rest of the users?

[park1231]

www.petzl.com has a good technical advice section and their products are the industries benchmark equipment. They also have all the product manuals in adobe format on the website. Im not a BASE jumper yet but I do have climbing and canyoneering experience and any descent involving an extended rappel especially freehanging as is the case in this cave should not be trusted to a single point of failure. There should be no excuse not to use a backup braking device such as a Petzl Shunt http://www.petzl.com/petzl/SportProd...t=116&Conseil=

It weighs less than 7 ounces, costs $40, does not heat up on long rappels and is easy enough for a beginner to setup and use.

[Espeleogringo]

I have several questions about the rappeling accident.

1. Was Mr. Flannel wearing leather gloves?
[ gloves are necessary on a pit like this ]

2. What was his total weight including equipment?
[ meaning maybe the rack was overloaded ]

3. Was he wearing a helmet?
[ a helmet is a necesity for such pits ]

4. Was the rope 10 mm or 11 mm?
[ 9 mm is too small for this pit ]

5. Was the static rope a flexible type or a stiff type.
[ the stiffer ropes give you more friction for rappelling ]

6. Were the others in the group also using a 5 bar Petzl rack?
[If so, how hot did their rack get? ]

7. Did any of his gear such as his harness show sign of failure?

8. How fast was he planning to do the rappell. 1 minute? 2 minutes?

9. Had he been drinking or toking or been on medication?
[ meaning could these have been contributing factors ]

10. What was the weather like? Was it real hot and did he have
enough fluids before entering the pit on rope.

David Locklear
Cave Explorer in Houston, TX
dlocklear01@sprintpcs.com

[ImageThisPhoto]

It never fails,,,try to post some advice and someones gotta bash it.
After training with Climbing/Rescue/Rigging equipment for several years (Much of it from Petzl Reprasentatives) I couldnt help but respond!

Below are some responses to Cuetes reply:

The "Petzle Stop" (sic) should *NEVER* be used for long
drops like Golondrinas.
The Petzl web site and catalog contain a lot of information about vertical caving as well as Petzl equipment.
** That they do,, maybe you should read them.

They will tell you themselves never to use bobbin type descenders for long drops.
** Oh Really? Maybe you should look at the Web Site for a description. Quote from Petzl Web Site, for the STOP: "For Long Descents On A Single Rope."

There are several reasons but the top two are that bobbins don't have variable enough friction and that they can't dissipate enough heat for long free drops. The only device that you should use is a long (sixbar) rack. I live in the west and haven't been to bridge day
but next time you go you should look at the equipment used by
cavers at the event. I would be surprised to see anyone using
a bobbin.
** If you must use a rack, use the "Shunt" or a Prusik knot as backup.

Cavers have been going to Golondrinas since the 1960s with no
accidents that I know of.
** Than you just dont know or hear of them. I know of some accidents in the Marbles (Shasta California area)

Perhaps BASE jumpers should familiarize themselves with the equipment and techniques that they use.
** DUH! Any jumper that doesnt do this wont last long.

Also Golondrinas is probably not the best place for one to learn about vertical Caving.
** If you can be a confident skydiver and base jumper a "free rap" is a walk in the park!!

Attached is a picture I snapped of Dave @ Bridge Day.
FYI- All the Bridge Day Photos are posted online at www.bridgeday.info

Sorry to be so harsh Cuete, but you just dont make any sense.

Blue Skies and deep Holes,
JM

[park1231]

I believe Petzle uses the term "long rappel" very loosely and relative to most rappels which involve less than a 150' descent.
According to the manual which comes with the stop and is posted here
http://www.petzl.com/petzl/SportProd...roduitAssocie=

Click on the link under More information the manual is printed in the adobe format and states that the stop should not be used for any
descents longer than 100 meters.

[ImageThisPhoto]

Park1231,

Thanks for the posted info! The Shunt idea slipped my mind when I thought of the STOP.
I have contacted Petzl, and hopefully they will respond to this thread.

In the past when climbing with the petzl reps I discussed rappelling and heat build-up. My buddies and I would wear out figure 8's on speed raps (we enjoyed racing to the bottom). They 8' would have grooves worn through them after a couple trips. The ropes became crispy/burnt.
When petzl labels thier products they must be modest, and fear that the device may be used like we used the 8's.

The Stop will only allow you to go so fast,,its actually really slow. I'd compare it to a figure 8 with double ropes. We do 400' rapps with the Stop, and yes it gets hot,, but every device does.

I dont know how fast they go down into the Cave. This would be the factor I would consider. If you want to go fast use a rack backed up with the prusik or shunt. If you are going a slower steady speed the stop would be fine. If the stop were to get too hot the problem would most likelly result in the "Stop" siezing up. This would stop you in place. Any thoughts?

JM
attached is a photo I shot @ Smith Rock

[crwper]

Edited... I've just realized this thread is probably not an appropriate place to comment on the effects of chalk use. My appologies.

Michael

[basehound]

As I am finally back in the US, and plugged back into the net, I decided to post a message about this tragic accident.
As the group leader and interpreter, I feel very sad to have only known Dave for such a short time. He was amazingly witty and enjoyably to be around. BASE jumping in Mexico I have made many life long friends, and I knew that Dave was going to be one of them . My deepest condolences to all who knew Dave and to his family.
Blue Skies,
Jay Epstein Ramirez

[basehound]

Dave L.-

I'll try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge.

1. Yes, Dave was wearing a near new set of rappelling gloves.
2. Total weight being around 210. The first person that rappelled in weighed approx. 20 lbs. more.
3. No helmet on this rappel as it is a free rappel with nothing to hit your head on.
4. The rope is a near new 400 meter 11 mm static safety rope from PMI.
5. The rope is a stiff type(safety rope on a spool).
6. The other people who rappelled in used identical racks to descend. Their racks did get hot. My rack on that particular rappel has always gotten hot.
7. No failure of any gear type whatsoever.
8. This rappel takes on average 20-45 minutes to complete. The first rappeller took approx 25 minutes. The second rappeller took almost 1 hour 15 minutes to descend.
9. Dave was a very very straight shooter. No drugs or alcohol of any type were involved.
10. The weather was fairly cool as some rappellers chose to wear jackets to the bottom. Everyone was well hydrated, and Dave had water he was carrying down.

The reason for Dave's loss of control of his descent are still unknown to us at this time. We speculate that it was a simple slip of his hand. All five bars were locked securely in place when the other rappellers arrived. We found all other gear to be in proper order.

As stated before....... our deepest condolences to all who knew Dave.

Jay Epstein Ramirez

[mojo]

No message

[Slick]

I am not an expert on repelling but, what it seems to me is that a simple slip of a hand on the control rope is something that can be overcome. If you tape your glove closed around the rope you can not lose, slip, or miss the rope. You can always cut yourself free of the rope at the bottom to get free of the rig.
Maybe thier is a reason why one should not do this, ut it seems to me it would be a simple fix.
Just my .02
Slick

[crwper]

My experience comes mostly from climbing -- I have no experience at all with long rappels. However, for a while now I have used a Prussik knot to back up any rappel -- one time I got complacent (or tired) and accidentally let go with my brake hand, and scared the sh!t out of myself; lesson learned. Is there any reason not to use such a simple knot on a very long rappel?

Michael