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V Anchor System for Mirrored and Twin Tension Systems

Written By: Lance Piatt

Anchoring underpins all of our rope based activities and each of these will have varying requirements overlaid with restrictions dictated by the site.

The V-Anchor is a simple a versatile approach to anchoring which can be readily applied to a range of roping contexts: abseiling, rappelling, top-rope top-belay climbing, top-rope bottom-belay climbing, industrial rope access, and technical rescue. It is a basic, building block system that enables the user to choose the exact activity location rather than being constrained by the location of a particular feature.
At its simplest, the V-Anchor needs one length of rope, two locking carabiners, and four figure-of-8 knots.
The components of the V-Anchor are the individual anchor points, the ‘legs’ of the anchor system, and the anchor focal point. The two legs can be simple rethreaded figre-of-8 knots around the anchor points and are brought together at the focal point and isolated using two separate figure-of-8-on-a-bight knots – the spare loop of rope is referred to as an ‘isolation loop’.

A 2-rope or twin tension system (aka mirrored rope system), though at first glance isn’t, is a lot more straight forward a simple than the typical main/belay line systems. The crux is proficiency. The systems are identical and operated the same. We will go into this system at a later date.

The figure-of-8 knot is chosen because of its simplicity, strength, and ease of recognition.
Once the system is established, a final check can be conducted which verifies:
– Integrity of anchor points
– Correct use of equipment
– Appropriate position and stability for the activity

RRG Products Used in this Solution:

[products skus=”272810 P,333000 P,300153 P,D200L0 P”]
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About The Author:

Picture of Lance Piatt

Lance Piatt

Beginning his career in the rescue and rigging world as a “blue collar” SAR member with Deschutes and Jefferson County teams. Lance Piatt owns and operates Red Ibex Solutions, a sales and marketing wheelhouse blending rope rigging education and exquisite imagery with equipment knowledge and understanding; housing Rigging Lab Academy and Rescue Response Gear… Lance is producing high-end video education, working with several experts and instructors to produce unique series of “how to videos” and courses for rope rigging: Such as; the first ever full-length rescue training DVD, 'Tower Rescue', released in fall of 2005. As well as a series of scenario-based rescues ranging from cave rescue to cliff rescue.

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