In canyoning, [why] do people skip a backup prusik?
I am used to abseiling with a prusik cord, which gives me protection for the case I lose control of the descent speed.
However, I have heard that in canyoning, in some situations, using the prusik is considered undesirable. So people descend on ropes with just a braking device, and without a prusik.
Is it really the case? If yes, what makes it a valid technique specifically in canyoning, and not in e.g. rock climbing?
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Canyoneering presents different risks than rock climbing because water is involved This comment on another post shows why water is an important factor (emphasis mine):
Canyoneering with an autoblock actually has the potential be fatal. Wet ropes have a lot more rope-on-rope friction, if your autoblock locks up while you're in a waterfall, then you're at risk of drowning. That same risk is also why it's recommended that you carry a knife with you, so you can cut yourself loose if you get stuck under a heavy flow of water. when I rappel with my kong hydrobot, I can let go of the rope completely and it will take me down the the bottom at a reasonable constant speed.
As Shem notes in the comment above when canyoneering near water you have to weigh the risk of not falling. He mentioned on situation where not falling is potentially more risky than falling, (drowning halfway down a waterfall). It is safe to say that most rock climbing doesn't involve rappels down or through active waterfalls....
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Canyoneering has one major danger that is not (normally) one in mountaineering: water. If you get stuck abseiling along/in a waterfall and end up hanging in the waterfall, you can drown. An "engaged" friction knot can be difficult to loosen, especially when in an averse environment like a waterfall.
The only time I did canyoning an experienced party member went down first. After him everybody that finished abseiling down secured the one following him by holding the rope. In case the person abseiling lost control, you would pull on the rope thus stopping the descent. Apparently this technique is known as "fireman backup".
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