Overcoming the edge : a practical inquiry on abseiling

Abstract

Abseiling may be defined as the controlled technique of sliding down a rope wearing a harness, whilst utilizing mechanical devices. It is the way to descend in a safe manner, whilst supporting one's total weight through the friction produced on the rope. Although abseiling has become firmly established as a non competitive physical activity, few studies have taken place to investigate the subject in depth. The aim of this long essay highlights the emotions experienced during the different phases of abseiling. The research design included fieldwork followed by narratives and a focus group discussion. A group of fifteen students, aged between fifteen and seventeen years, all novices to abseiling, experienced a number abseils. They were required to recount their emotions and present them in narratives. Six of them were then invited to participate in a focus group to delve deeper into their interpretation of these emotions. At the various phases of abseiling, diverse emotions were experienced.