This is the second of the series of 6 webinars. In this 60 minute webinar Cyril Shokoples will spend the first half hour discussing uses for the Purcell Prusik as well as the testing data. The Purcell Prusik was invented in BC but has gained far more traction in the US than in Canada for some reason! He will include discussion of some newer data on how it can simplify companion rock and crevasse rescue systems. In the second half of the presentation there will be an interactive session during which participants will be coached on how to tie a Purcell Prusik. The “old school method” of tying as commonly found on YouTube will be briefly demonstrated but the more versatile “new school” method is what will be covered with the group.

Each participant should attend prepared with a 3 or 4 m length of 6mm cord plus a fat pencil or an ice screw!. A 15cm (4 inch) length of 25mm (I inch) tubular webbing is very useful.

Cyril is an ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide, an ITRA Level 3 Rescue Instructor and owner of the company “Rescue Dynamics”. He joined the ACC in 1975 and has been a member ever since. He was inducted as an Honorary (Life) Member of the Alpine Club and has taught courses and guided for the ACC for decades.

Some technical details every participant needs to know: There will be a maximum of participants admitted to the webinar, so sign up early. If you are not going to attend please cancel your participation so someone else on the waiting list is allowed to attend. If you do not cancel and do not attend you may compromise your ability to sign up for any of the future webinars in this series.

This webinar will be presented using the Zoom platform. To limit the potential for the unfortunate phenomenon known as “Zoom Bombing” where uninvited guests disrupt presentations, Zoom has updated its software and we are undertaking a few additional recommended steps. Prior to joining, you should download the most recent version of Zoom or you may not be able to log in. You must sign up on the Calgary Section website as you would for any ACC Calgary trip. If you name isn’t on the sign-up list you won’t be allowed to connect to the webinar. Once you have signed up you will be sent an email the day before the webinar with the link to attend.

You are encouraged to connect to the webinar 5 to 10 minutes early where you will find yourself in a “waiting room”. A co-host will check your name and email address against the sign-up list before you will be admitted to the webinar. Note that if you attempt to join using a pseudonym other than your real name you will not be admitted. When you connect to the webinar your microphone will be muted and screen sharing and chat will be disabled, so this is not like a zoom meeting in that respect. No logins to the webinar will be accepted after 6:40 PM so please don’t try to sign in late.

There will be specified times during the session where questions and answers will be taken, at which time chat with a co-host may be enabled or your microphone may be turned on at the discretion of the hosts. The last half of the session is intended to be fully interactive.