Editing Fast-roping (section)

{{Short description|Military technique}}[[File:Defense.gov News Photo 080518-M-7519G-088.jpg|thumb|[[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] from the U.S. [[31st Marine Expeditionary Unit]] fast-roping from a [[Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight|CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter]] during a training exercise in 2008.]]

'''Fast-roping''' is a technique for descending a thick [[rope]], allowing troops to deploy from a helicopter in places where the aircraft cannot touch down.<ref name="marinesjournal">{{cite web |last=Bianco |first=Michael |date=21 June 2009 |title=31st MEU Marines Fast Rope and Hook N' Climb at Sea |url=http://www.31stmeu.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleView/tabid/7377/Article/48143/31st-meu-marines-fast-rope-and-hook-n-climb-at-sea.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218083044/http://www.31stmeu.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleView/tabid/7377/Article/48143/31st-meu-marines-fast-rope-and-hook-n-climb-at-sea.aspx |archive-date=18 February 2013 |access-date=11 July 2014 |publisher=[[Marines.mil]]}}</ref> 

The person holds onto the rope with gloved hands (with or without using their feet) and slides down it. Several people can slide down the same rope simultaneously, provided that there is a gap of about {{convert|3|m|0}} between them, so that each one has time to get out of the way when they reach the ground.

Fast roping is quicker than [[abseiling|abseiling (rappelling)]], although more dangerous,<ref name="marinesjournal" /> particularly if the person is carrying a heavy load, because the rope is not attached to them with a [[Climbing equipment#Descenders|descender]]. The technique is particularly useful for [[Marines|naval infantry]], who can use it to board ships at sea.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harrer |first=Jacob |date=17 October 2013 |title=Fast roping prepares Marines for rapid ship-to-shore deployment |url=http://www.1stmardiv.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/8585/Article/542100/fast-roping-prepares-marines-for-rapid-ship-to-shore-deployment.aspx |publisher=[[United States Marine Corps]]}}</ref>