In a tragic incident during the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans Night, Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio, lost his life. The unfortunate event occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday, as UTSA faced off against Navy.
The fall took place while Patterson was rappelling from the ceiling of the Alamodome. Geary Schindel, a seasoned professional geologist with over 50 years of experience in caving and rock climbing, emphasized that his own demonstration was not intended to replicate the circumstances of the incident. He noted that the available video footage did not provide a clear view of the equipment or setup utilized during the event.
“It’s very early in the accident investigation, I’m sure,” Schindel remarked. “And the videos weren’t clear enough to be able to tell exactly what kind of gear he was using.”
During his demonstration, Schindel walked through the essential checks that he performs before beginning a rappel, including threading the rope through a descent device and ensuring his harness was properly secured. “I’m safe in here; I’ve got my helmet, lights, gloves; all my buckles are backed up here,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of safety in such activities.
Rappelling is a technique used across various fields, including climbing, caving, search and rescue, and commercial rope-access work. Schindel highlighted that the equipment and procedures can differ significantly based on the specific activity. “There are many, many different ways to rappel, and each of the different activities have devices that are really specific to them,” he said.
He demonstrated a safety ascender, a device that can act as a backup by gripping the rope in the event of a loss of control. Schindel illustrated how this device functions, saying, “Now I would slide my safety ascender down, and that way I know if I have lost control, all my weight is now on this and I’ve got this slack. If I accidentally let go, I’d be caught.”
Additionally, he showcased a bottom belay technique, sometimes referred to as a fireman’s belay, where an individual below the rappeller helps to control the descent by pulling the rope tight. He also explained the use of a stopper knot, which can help limit how far someone descends during a rappel.
It’s important to note that not all rappelling techniques incorporate these safety measures. Schindel pointed out that military personnel may adhere to different standards and protocols depending on their mission and the associated risks. “The military has different standards and different reasons for rappelling,” he said. “So, you’re always weighing those issues.”
As of now, the Air Force has not disclosed details regarding the equipment or safety procedures used during the pregame ceremony, nor the specific circumstances that led to Patterson’s fall. Schindel mentioned that the ongoing investigation could shed light on these critical factors and potentially result in the implementation of enhanced safety protocols in the future.
The loss of Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with rappelling and the importance of safety measures in all aspects of such high-stakes activities.
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