It’s unclear how accurately the article describes what the Sergeant was doing. But whatever it was, it was part of the normal training repertoire for TACP members.
My original comment, before it turned into an essay (as so often happens with me 
) was directed at some folks just upthread from there who expressed confusion that any USAF troop would ever have reason to do rope descents in any form.
No. They are completely different techniques with completely different ropes. You cannot fast-rope with a rappelling rope.
Rappelling uses the type of climbing rope you’re used to seeing. Fast Roping uses a much thicker rope.
Actually, the outcome of the game would have had a pretty large impact on the playoffs. If the Bills had won, and won the game the following week (which they did), they would have had a 14-3 record, tied with KC, and been the #1 seed due to the tiebreakers with a first week bye. Since they ended with a 13-3 record, KC was the #1 seed and got the bye.
Originally, after the ambulance left the field the refs had announced the game would continue after a 10 minute break. Both coaches protested, and after what I’m sure were some heated calls with whichever NFL execs were on duty that night they finally decide to postpone & later cancel the game.
ETA: Also, had the Bengals lost to the Bills, then lost to the Ravens the next week (which they didn’t), then the Ravens would have won the division and the Bengals would have been a wildcard. So the game had no impact on who would make the playoffs, but did have a pretty large impact on seeding.
Double ditto.
You say that like it’s a bad thing. It’s not.
What kills me is when someone asks a complicated question and gets a (dismissive) monosyllabic answer. I hate that IRL, too.
He died hours later, or it was officially announced hours later?
According to the AP story (emphasis mine):
https://apnews.com/article/fall-service-member-died-utsa-rappelling-bb717d8d0e03d9ce11d1da5382c2202e
Thick as a middle-school gym climbing rope?
But “died after being taken to a hospital” often does mean that the person was actually dead on the scene. I don’t know Texas, but in Ohio, EMTs aren’t allowed to declare someone dead except under specific, extraordinary circumstances (such as decapitation, or the body starting to decompose). So they load a corpse into an ambulance, drive it to the hospital, and then a doctor officially declares them dead.
Possibly so. The AP article quoted the official statement. It may be that whether he died immediately, or at the hospital, may never be publicly known, and isn’t really relevant, anyway.
Like the recent unfortunate priest, dying on the spot includes a necessarily limited time suffering. Dying after first aid, EMTs, transport, etc., usually includes a lot more physical misery & mental contemplation of your plight.
If today is my day to die I know which I’d prefer.
A little thicker, actually.