Abseiling (German: abseilen, "to rope down"), rappelling in American English,

The primary use of Abseiling is a technique used by rock climbers and mountaineers to descend a pitch or section of climb. The main benefit of Abseiling or Rappelling is speed as once a climber has finished a climb, descent is often the trickiest and most dangerous part.

When we talk about Abseiling or Rappelling with reference to a survival situation then we normally make the assumption that the only commodity we have access to is a rope. Rock climbers and mountaineers have many ways to attach themselves to the rope and slow there means of descent by friction:

• Karabiner with an Italian Hitch (friction knot)
• Karabiner with figure of 8 descender
• Karabiner with Stitch plate
• Karabiner with GriGri
• Karabiner with Petzl stop

Unless you have access to a harness and karabiner or a sling and karabiner, then you are limited to using a body abseil:

Angels wings below:

Classic Abseil below:

South African Abseil below: