Developed inthe 1930 by Austrians, body rappeling was state of the art in the 1950s. You could order your cutting edge 60/40 parka with a shoulder patch then. If you didn't you soon added one to cover up the abrasion scar on your shoulder. my very first rappel was 120 feet, dead vertical, and for the first years of my climbing/caving career, it was the only way. I have done several 150 foot rappels, including some with short overhangs. In those days we divided ourselves into those who burned their shoulders and those who burned their butts.

Body rappels have given way to more comfortable, somewhat safer techniques, so I can see why you haven't seen any 150 body rappels lately. But the technique still has utility, because it is about the only way (aside from the French arm wrap technique) to descend with no equipment whatsoever other than the rope. It could be a handy technique in exiting a burning (or otherwise compromised building).

You would be fortunate indeed if the two of us were eying the only set of rapped gear because I would unhesitatingly give you the harness and descender, pad my bod and rap away to safety. Indeed, if we had to get a number of folks out by this technique, I might just step up first and rap away, because I could be finished by the time the next person had rigged up.

I don't body rappel routinely any more, but when I have taught people, I have always at least demonstrated this technique. It does have its uses, albeit limited.

Incidentally, a fellow caver introduced me to my wife about twelve years ago - many neat times in caves since then.

Don - REI #34454 - My NSS number is just about the same, but my card isn't handy (my wife persuaded me to finally join the NSS after all those years