Watching: This Is Self Arrest

Overview

Instructional film about a mountaineering technique to prevent falling. Narrated by Jim Whittaker, who describes basic self arrest positions, common mistakes and how to prepare for self arrest while climbing or descending. Several climbers demonstrate falls and safety techniques. This film was made on Mt Rainier, above the east side of Nisqually Glacier, in 1967. The film opens with a scene of a climber falling and sliding out of control after losing his ice axe. The narrator describes the basic self arrest position, common mistakes, and how to prepare for self arrest while climbing or descending.