I was a Specialist in the ARMY, during the years 1994-1997. I was stationed in Alaska. Around June of 1995 or '96, we were brought in by our 1st Sergent, and had a "safety briefing" about the dangers of rappelling down some of the rock faces of the local areas. Seems that one of our soldiers, after much alcohol to boost his courage, decided that he was going to go rappelling in what is referred to as "Ausi Style". This means that he would jump off the cliff, and run down forward, stopping himself close to the bottom of the cliff. After "psyching" himself up, he took a run and jumped. Everything was working out well, till he got to the bottom, and tried to arrest his fall by applying the braking maneuver. When he pulled the rappelling rope across his body, he had a brief moment to realize he wasn't stopping. The soldier slammed into the ground, 120 feet from the top, causing himself a fractured pelvis, and both legs.

The soldier was med-evacuated to the closest hospital, where he survived. When they went back to determine what happened, the found out that the soldier had done everything right... EXCEPT tying off the rappelling rope.

As the soldier survived, I know he isn't up for a Darwin Award, but I feel that he should at least be given an Honorable Mention, as he did TRY to remove himself from the gene pool... But it seems that sometimes, even with the odds against it, the stupid ones remain.

Submitted on 08/31/2009

Submitted by: John
Reference: 1995-96 Ft. Wainwright Ak.

Copyright © 2009 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Forgetting to tie off the rappelling line is definitely worthy of consideration. I certainly don't think I'd ever try any sort of rock climbing or rappelling after drinking though... Thanks, John!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
How thick can you get, even plastered? Thanks, John.

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