Forestalling falls and broken lines

Any time you’re falling repeatedly there’s a danger of hurting yourself, but slacklining enthusiast Daniel Carnahan says new slackliners can take steps to fall more safely.

When you feel you’re about to fall, step off the line deliberately. This prevents slipping off haphazardly and landing on your side.

Carnahan is operations manager at Little Rock Climbing Center, and he recommends trying out the activity for the first time at an indoor climbing gym. Climbing gyms have padded flooring to cushion falls, and more experienced slackliners and staff can help keep newbies safe.

If you’re slacklining on your own, equipment maintenance and site selection matter. Carnahan says you should choose a spot with level ground and check the area for rocks and sticks.

Also, check your line for wear before and after you set up, and replace lines that are worn. A slackline is “basically like a rubber band - it’s very tight, there’s a lot of pressure on it. So when it does pop … if it catches any of your body it’s basically just like getting whipped,” he says.

ActiveStyle, Pages 28 on 07/08/2013

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