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Darwin Awards
2006 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
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Why I'll never abseil again.

2006 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

One of my earliest misadventures was as a young boy of 11, on a school trip in our last year of primary school to Kingsmead, in Wales. On the second to last day of the week, we did abseiling, on a 40 foot high wooden tower, specially constructed for the purpose. With 6 instructors at various locations to ensure safety, and a talk on the subject (which I deigned to listen to, instead 'accidentally' pushing someone head over heels into a bin), it was finally my go. Full of childish bravado, i decided to 'do it like they do on the Discovery Channel'. No, not like that. I mean bouncing down in that strange way they have. Anyway, as I set off, the first two bounces worked fine, but on the third, disaster struck. The rope caught on a doohickey (I never found out what it was...) and jerked me to a halt, 30 feet up, with gravity and the tight harness between my legs doing their dastardly work. Fortunately, my 'equipment' remains in working order to this day, but I was bruised in that area for 2 weeks solid.

Submitted on 11/22/2006

Submitted by: James Greene
Reference: January 2003

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

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>> Moderator Scores <<

Graham said:
Neutral: Personal Account
I heard it takes 'balls' to abseil. I just didn't realize they meant literally! Glad you're still OK and the Family Jewels are intact. Thanks for the submission, James

James said:
Neutral: Personal Account
I'd say it was certainly a harrowing experience, especially for a young lad of 11, but there was really no stupidity involved. Just the same, there's no reason why we can't share your adventures with the readers! Thanks, James!

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Oh yes! Having done more than a bit of abseiling during my time in the Rangers, I have seen this happen before! Often, the young man winds upside down, which adds another element of excitement to the situation. You should consider enlisting for the Paras, James... <grin>

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