# Could you rescue yourself from a cliff edge? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 17, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934 "2019-01-17T16:57:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/41 "2019-01-18T03:01:36Z")
I’m pretty sure I could do it, and even more sure I’d ever get close enough to the edge for it to happen in the first place. The first thought I had when I saw this was all the times in Beetle Bailey where Sarge fell over the cliff and hung onto a tree growing out of the side. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/42 "2019-01-18T03:26:32Z")
An adrenaline rush \*might \*be enough of an energy/strenght boost to let me save myself. But otherwise I’m toast. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/43 "2019-01-18T03:32:32Z")
In the days of my youth, I could pull myself up and over once I had my shoulders above the edge. Getting my shoulders up that high from a hanging position has always been impossible for me. Even then, if I could throw an arm over the edge, I’d be so burned I wouldn’t be able to complete the next step. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/44 "2019-01-18T03:35:36Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > We’ll keep it relatively easy. Undercut about 4-6 inches where you’re hanging, so you’ve got a bit of thumb purchase, but vertical and flat below that, at least as far as you could reach with your legs. It’s rocky but not smooth, and dry. It’s like this as far as you can see in either direction, so shimmying laterally isn’t going to get you to a better spot. With those specifics I change from 50/50 to probably can, or maybe even pretty sure I can, more or less likely depending on my shoes. Flat vertical rocky drop can provide decent friction, not quite a toe hold but enough if shoes are rubber soled and my pants aren’t slippery and likewise rough surface on top can give enough friction once one forearm is up. Agree with **beowulff** : this is not a muscle-up (which I also can’t do mainly I think because I can’t master that false grip). ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/45 "2019-01-18T03:36:07Z")
I chose “something else” because the answer for me is, “Under ordinary circumstances I am not strong enough to do a pull-up. However, I do lift weights (not a lot, just enough to keep the batwings at bay with a little muscle definition in my upper arms) and this would be such an extraordinary and terrifying circumstance that maybe adrenaline would give me super-human strength for a few minutes.” I guess that’s the same as “marginally possible.” But honestly, I don’t know if it would be even remotely possible. I hope not to find out. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/46 "2019-01-18T06:58:02Z")
I have an attic entrance where I was able to partially simulate the challenge. I had no problem with it. A difference is that the opening is fairly small, so getting my elbows tucked in to go through the hole was tricky. But then, I kinda had to make use of the fact that untucked, I was able to use some leverage from the sides of the opening. That was a bit of a cheat, but the elbow tucking make it more difficult, and I think the two balance out in the end (also: I tried with a door, and can easily get my elbows over the lip when I have enough clearance). Plus there’s no life on the line factor; no adrenaline, and I was trying not to skin my elbows or damage the drywall. So I say no problem. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/47 "2019-01-18T07:57:16Z")
If I start with my arms straight and no possible footing, no. If my arms are bent or I can get enonugh footing to bend my elbows, I’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/48 "2019-01-18T08:30:17Z")
Probably depends on what I’m wearing. ---
**Author:** ![Wisp00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/977dab/32.png) [@Wisp00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wisp00)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/49 "2019-01-18T09:36:31Z")
I have considered this every time I have seen it in a movie or on TV. The answer is absolutely not, no way, no how, I am dead, dead, dead. I would not be better off if I fell of a cliff and someone else caught me one-handed. A person who hoped I would catch them would be very disappointed. And dead. Also very dead. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/50 "2019-01-18T10:30:07Z")
39 years old. I can’t really do “muscle ups” (chin up directly into dip) but I reckon I could do at least one if my life depended on it. Also the OP did not say the cliff is such that no leg assistance is possible, so a little easier than a muscle up. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/51 "2019-01-18T13:26:06Z")
Just last night I was hanging off the edge of a cliff while clinging to a rock with both hands, while worrying that I hadn’t attended any of the semester’s classes and final exams were coming up. Plus, I wasn’t wearing pants and no one seemed to notice. Rescue came when I woke up. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/52 "2019-01-18T16:12:37Z")
I can do pullups no problem. So I assume if I had a decent gripping surface I could rescue myself. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/53 "2019-01-18T16:31:49Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I can do pullups no problem. So I assume if I had a decent gripping surface I could rescue myself. I don’t question your strength, but I’m wondering why you equate being able to pull your chin up to hand height means you could get the rest of your body up there. How do you envision doing it? At some point do you swing a leg up and over? Is that done via strength or a swinging/momentum maneuver? At some point does the pull-up change to a “push”=up such that you just use your arms to get your midsection above the ledge? Once your head/shoulders are at/above hand level, the mechanics would change considerably. I wonder if anyone here has actually tried this. I’m thinking about the freestanding types of pullup bars you find in some parks - or monkeybars in playgrounds. Should be a pretty straightforward exercise to hang from one of those and see if you can end up sitting on top of the bar. One potential difficulty - I’m tall, and generally have to use those bars w/ my knees bent. My dtr is a pretty serious rock climber, and I’m certain she could do this on most rock faces. But she practices all kinds of 1-hand and fingertip strength moves and other crazy shit. I don’t know how severe the undercut would have to be to render her incapable of doing this. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/54 "2019-01-18T16:35:02Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I wonder if anyone here has actually tried this. I’m thinking about the freestanding types of pullup bars you find in some parks - or monkeybars in playgrounds. Should be a pretty straightforward exercise to hang from one of those and see if you can end up sitting on top of the bar. One potential difficulty - I’m tall, and generally have to use those bars w/ my knees bent. I’m going to find a playground this weekend and try it. I’ll report back. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/55 "2019-01-18T16:38:52Z")
I’ve probably got one really good effort, and it would leave me dangling by my chin as well as my hands. My next effort is to see if I can do a 180 degree spin, kick off the cliff face and level off into a perfect swan dive. I may start flapping my arms on the way down because you never know. But before all that, as I’m dangling by my chin (and hands) I’m thinking, “Well, fuck. Land on your head.” ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/56 "2019-01-18T16:39:24Z")
You know you’ve been reading too much news when you keep seeing this thread title as “Can you **recuse** yourself from…” ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/57 "2019-01-18T16:54:47Z")
My chest muscles aren’t much, my arm strength is good, my finger and hand strength is excellent so I am going 50/50. If there is any way to get my feet and legs into play at all make it more a no problem. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/58 "2019-01-18T18:18:26Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > " > I wonder if anyone here has actually tried this. I’m thinking about the freestanding types of pullup bars you find in some parks - or monkeybars in playgrounds. Should be a pretty straightforward exercise to hang from one of those and see if you can end up sitting on top of the bar. It’s not the same though. The best way to “cheat” at muscle-ups, is to swing back and forth and get some leg momentum involved (when I say “cheat”, it’s still fragging hard). Meanwhile on a rock face you probably can’t swing but are almost always going to able to use your legs to push off something. So either could be much easier / harder, depending on the specifics of the rock face and what rules are being imposed. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/59 "2019-01-18T18:54:05Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I don’t question your strength, but I’m wondering why you equate being able to pull your chin up to hand height means you could get the rest of your body up there. > > How do you envision doing it? … From a pull up it is not so difficult to get both arms to armpits and chin up on the bar/ledge. That I just tested on my indoor pull up bar. From there it is not so hard to alter your position pull the rest of your chest up and once chest is up pushing up with your arms to the point of being able to swing legs uo. That’s just a deep dip. (Ceiling too low to try.) This is in most ways much easier than a muscle up in which the difficult part is the transition from pull up to dip. Having the chance to get your arms horizontal avoids that The hard part for this is that this is not a pull up bar at the start … ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934/60 "2019-01-18T18:58:27Z")
With a good handhold, it would be pretty easy for me to swing my leg up and over the ledge. But, in the real world, I think that it’s unlikely that there is a handy bar at the edge of a cliff. I don’t think I’d want to be swinging too much if I was holding onto a slippery rock… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-rescue-yourself-from-a-cliff-edge/827934.md?page=4)