| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith, Marion O. | 36 | Male | Compression | Spine |
M. O. Smith (36) and R. W. Schreiber were checking pits in Vaught Cove, Jackson County, Alabama, on December 27. They had just done a 35-foot unnamed pit and were coiling the rope when Smith realized his glasses had been left below. Instructing Schreiber to carry on, Smith rerigged the pit and somewhat hurriedly with "a few coils
of rope thrown down and tied off to a tree. Quickly he rappelled down, and right off the end of the rope which was short of the bottom by 15 feet. Smith landed on his behind and rolled backward, causing pain in his back.
A little later Schreiber returned, lowered the rope and Smith prussiked out without further incident. The ridgewalk was shortened as Smith felt some effects from the fall and the following day X-rays revealed a compressed vertebrae and a backbrace was applied.
Reference: Marin Smith Personal Communication Jan. 8, 1979.
Analysis: Possibly Smith was careless because it was only a 35 foot pit. Even a caver as experienced and knowledgeable as Smith is not immune to mistakes.
Rappelled off end of rope
This record was last updated on 27th Apr 2024 at 23:11 UTC.