What is the main safety consideration when descending with bagged ropes?

The main safety consideration when descending with bagged ropes is ensuring that stopper knots are present in the rope, specifically located 30cm from the end. This practice is crucial because it prevents the possibility of the rope slipping through a descender or other equipment during descent. The stopper knots act as barriers that secure the end of the rope and ensure that the technician cannot inadvertently descend past a point where they might become unmanageable or lead to a fall.

Having proper stopper knots also serves to enhance overall safety by ensuring that the technician has a fallback mechanism in the event that their rope becomes entangled or there is a sudden failure of equipment. The inclusion of these knots is standard practice within the rope access field, aligning with the protocols that prioritize safety and risk management during operation.

While other factors like weight distribution, the use of gloves for grip, and a visible descent path are also important in the context of rope access and descent, they do not specifically address the critical nature of securing the rope's end with knots. Therefore, the emphasis on having stopper knots significantly underscores the importance of equipment safety and the prevention of accidents during descent.