During a self-rescue, a retreat is indicated if...

• A. If the partner asks you to stop
• B. If you are bored
• C. If you can ascend quickly
• D. If you cannot safely lower or haul the climber

Answer: (D)

In a self-rescue, you carry out the rescue using your own setup, and retreat is the decision to back off when the rescue move would be unsafe. If you cannot safely lower or haul the climber, continuing could cause a loss of control, compromise anchors, or put both climbers at greater risk. So you retreat to regroup, secure the situation as best you can with the available gear, and seek additional help or a safer plan. The other options don’t reflect a safety-based reason to abandon the move: a partner’s request, boredom, or the ability to ascend quickly isn’t about whether the rescue can be performed safely. The key idea is prioritizing safety of the rescue operation itself.