Do you get down with the ZIG-NESS?! Petzl Zig Zag Pt.2

This blog is a continuation of “First you Zig & then you Zag”. There was just too much information I wanted to cover in the first blog, so I decided to break it down into two sections. This second half will contain what Petzl regards as “expert only” techniques and some other stuff that gets stuff done!

Rope Installation

As I go around and ask other Petzl Zig Zag users what they would change about it, there is one request that sits at the top of the list – a midline attachable Zig Zag! However, I don’t foresee Petzl attempting to engineer a version that meets that request. This is an issue for the climbing arborist who wishes to explore new ropes and take their system off on demand. On the flip side, because the device is so user-friendly and no friction adjustment is required, many have overlooked this “issue” and continue to climb with it. To install the rope in a traditional manner, the user would begin by aligning the arrow diagram on the friction links and collapsing the friction links, followed by feeding the bitter end through the links, and passing the rope until it reached the rope's eye splice. Now, many rope manufacturers are splicing their ropes with a slim eye splice that can be fed through the Zig Zag, this could be looked at as the solution for the midline connectivity issue. 

Technique #1 – Ascent with Petzl’s Ascentree

It is worth noting, that this technique is considered technical and may not be for everyone. I stumbled upon this technique in the summer while exploring Petzl’s website and it sparked my curiosity. The gear it required: an Ascentree (double-hand ascender, which I already had), a Zig Zag, webbing sling (to be used as a tether), carabiners, and climbing rope. I’ll do my best to explain the setup:

1. Install the rope at the desired anchor point while making sure the Zig Zag is on the running leg of rope.
2. At the working end, tie an end-of-line Alpine Butterfly while capturing the running leg of the rope.
3. Take the bitter end of the climbing rope and connect it to the end of the Alpine Butterfly. This creates a retrievable canopy anchor.
4. The Petzl Ascentree attaches to both legs of the rope.
5. At the bottom of the Ascentree, attach a carabiner with a sling (the sling can vary in length to accommodate the climber's preference) and attach that sling back to the Zig Zag. This specific configuration is considered a backup for the Ascentree while ascending, and it is not intended to work from. 
6. In the event the climber must descend due to an emergency, it may be done so but with caution. Detach only the running leg of rope from the Ascentree (the leg of rope running through the friction links of the Zig Zag). 
7. Leave the working end of rope in the cam of the Ascentree and lock the rope into place by attaching a carabiner through the carabiner slot.
8. Begin the descent. 

Ascending in this configuration can be done by dual foot ascenders to mimic foot locking or by actual foot locking. Foot locking is a dying art, but there are certain individuals keeping it alive! This ascent technique is made to keep gear to a “minimum” but if you are a person who practices leaving an ascent rope in the tree, this technique kind of screws you on that end. Once you have reached your anchor point, reconfiguring to a traditional moving rope is quick and simple.

Technique #2 – Load Transfer in Rescue.

This technique, as with any rescue technique, requires intense practice to familiarize with how the systems will react. This rescue technique may be applied when compromised gear is present. An important precaution, the Petzl Zig Zag is designed for a single user either on moving rope or stationary rope but may be used for an accompanied descent with both rescuer and victim supported by a single device, with extra friction. This technique is also known as a pick-off or lift and drift. No two rescues are the same, different obstacles may be present, tree structure, location of the climber, hazards present, etc., so ALWAYS assess before attempting a rescue. 

1. The Zig Zag is installed onto the rope, no special step here. 
2. Rather than attaching the eye splice back to the return connection of the Zig Zag, instead take a prussic cord attach it to the working end and attach THAT to the Zig Zag. This prussic configuration takes place of the eye splice.
   1. Attach the prussic configuration to the Auxiliary connection point (this is the exception and only time the Auxiliary connection point can be used as the primary attachment. 
3. The length of rope from the added prussic and the eye splice can be left long or short, depending on how high one is trying to lift a victim. I typically Daisy Chain it and place it in a way that will not cause interference during the ascent.
4. Once the rescuer reaches the victim, continue with the assessment of the victim and equipment. 
5. If a load transfer is warranted; ensure the anchor point is suitable for both rescuer and victim, attach the eye splice of your rope to the ventral D of the victim’s climbing harness.
   1. The slack must be eliminated before proceeding, either by ascending until taut or by sliding the prussic down.
6. Once slack is no longer present:
   1. Collapse the prussic,
   2. Lift up on the working end and sit, 
   3. Repeat the process until the victim is plucked from the stuck position. 
7. Before descending, friction must be added to prevent device overheating and/or loss of control. Friction may be added in the following configurations:
   1. If a Chicane is at your disposal, attach it to the main connection hole of the Zig Zag and place the rope inside of the Chicane – it can be added while the rope is weighted.
   2. Friction can be created with the use of an anchor ring and spare carabiner. By taking the fall of the climbing rope, passing a bight of rope through the anchor ring, and capturing that bight with the carabiner you’ve just created a stitch plate. All that is left is to attach it to the Forward D and control it like a belay.
   3. When only a spare carabiner is available, a Munter hitch will get the job done. Tie the Munter with the fall of the rope and once again, attach to the Forward D ring. But why attach to the Forward D and not the ventral D? To avoid a potential jam that can interfere with descent.
8. The final thing to do, descend.

Practice, practice, practice! We don’t practice aerial rescue because we expect something to go wrong, rather so we are ready for the unexpected. Knowing different techniques is simply not enough, we must also take some time to familiarize ourselves with the tools our coworkers use, reducing that margin for error.

Auxiliary Attachment Point

The auxiliary attachment point on the Zig Zag is meant for so much more than just slack tending on ascent. If one desires, a secondary climbing system or a work positioning lanyard can be attached to said attachment point giving the tree climber “complete freedom”. It’s described this way because when two systems are attached to a ring or onto a secondary bridge (if present), the systems may cross. When the second system is on the auxiliary attachment point, the climber can pivot with no worries but there is no true secondary attachment when configured this way. Another use, M-Rig! Rather than bringing up a secondary system or utilizing the bitter end of the climbing rope, when the climber has reached point B, the climber then secures their position with a lanyard and detaches the splice from the Zig Zag. Pass the splice around the friction saver or branch union and reattach to the device but at the auxiliary point. Take an ANSI-approved carabiner and capture the leg of the rope that is spanned between the main anchor and to second anchor and attach to the main attachment of the Zig Zag. A Pinto pulley can be added to reduce the slight friction one may encounter, but now the climber can flow between both anchors in a controlled manner. 

Conclusion

I’ve been climbing on Petzl’s Zig Zag for over a decade now and will continue to apply it when the climb calls for it. It’s smooth, reliable, and simple use; what more can one ask for?! It has been my go-to device for all the tree climbing competitions I have taken part of, and I have yet to switch it around. Have you climbed on this magnificent device?