How to ice-axe self arrest

A practical guide to ice-axe arresting taken from the British Mountaineering Council's 'Winter Essentials' DVD with their kind permission. Full DVD available here: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/Pages.aspx?page=49
For more videos like this, visit www.livefortheoutdoors.com

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• winter
• mountain
• skills
• ice-axe
• mountaineering
• UK
• walking
• hiking
• walks
• rambling
• countryside
• Country Walking
• Live For The Outdoors
• LFTO

[LocutusMIT]

While he is being very cautious, it's probably best not to get into the habit of using your feet. When you slip, you're most likely to do whatever you've practised automatically. If you've practised digging in your toes, and you happen to be wearing crampons, there's a good chance you'll break an ankle.

Besides, knees are always better in case you hit a snag-- your hip is a much stronger joint than either your ankle or your knee.

[snakedike]

Seen that happen on Shasta the first time I climbed. Guy lost it glisading in his first arrest attempt at the top of red banks. Didn't stop for 2500 feet. He was bouncing 6 feet off the snow. Walked away with bruises. Damn Lucky.

[seocom]

Yes technique of last resort!

[lagerbaer]

And remember, it's really important that the ax is below your upper body. If you use it on outstretched arms, there's no weight on it and you'll keep on slipping.

Oh, and once you've come to a reasonable stop, it never hurts to kick your feet in extra deep to make sure you stay where you are.

[lagerbaer]

@flubertin Exactly. If you practice self-arrest, you'll do it, what, like 20 times in a row. So if there's a 5% chance to hurt yourself with crampons, then that's already quite dangerous.

[djapanaa]

good video. doable if there is no panic

[bosbloempje]

Because it's not clear for everyone: About the no crampons and don't attach the axe to yourself: that's for training, there is a chance you hurt yourself with this things. In case of a real dangerous situation, you CAN try to use your crampons if you think it will help you survive your specific situation.

Attaching the axe to yourself may also a good idea, in my opinion. Even when the axe is not attached to you, you can hurt yourself with it during a fall, so why should you risk losing it?

[MelancholicBard]

I was at the mountain two days ago. I didn't have any "Ice-Axe Self Arrest Education". As it was an easy mountain, we we're not supposed to slip, but the guy behind me fell, also causing two other guys with me start falling to, hit me from my back and this video saved me there. Thank you very much, I owe you one!

[socalhockey72]

Great video. Very helpful for a guy who's trying to learn. Thanks!

[datlik9]

the one most helpful video about ice axe. Thanks

[datlik9]

the one most helpful video about ice axe

[theOGslagster127]

last comment i promise

but either you a young swiss or fench or eytie who had a few falls before

or you some old arse fool who tired of his cashiers talking about coronation street and embarrasing you wives at the christmas party so you rather drag her out alps somewhere come chrimbo and have her hope you throw you self dddown the slope too hard that you crampons dont stick/do stick/shater you hip/knee la la la...