Safety warning for ascenders

[Tom Dunlap]

This is from the Petzl website but the cautions are VERY valid for any brand ascenders. Note that they recommend two ascenders with separate lanyhards.


http://en.petzl.com/petzl/ProNews?News=142

 

[glens]

Tom,

There are two distinct notions presented there. The first is obviously correct and backed-up with the diagrams: provide a proper rope path through the mechanism. The second is that two such units each with its own attachment to the load somehow is necessary or at least desirable: no basis for this statement is even hinted-at. They must have had some idea in mind the explanation for which got omitted for some reason.

Two hands on the two-handed Kong (doesn't somebody else make one similar?) almost ensure the proper rope pathway is maintained, at least in the most important direction.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

CMI is now making a two handled, one ascender unit. I haven't held one but the picture of the CMI unit has promise.

Backing up attachments has merit.

 

[Tino]

When ran a rope course I used a Petzel ascender as a safety line for climbing a rope ladder. I would run a prussic cord, tied off with a prussic, from the top hole in the handle to the rope above the ascender as a back up. Secondly I would use a small mallion rapid attached to the lower hole under the handle to maintain a parallel track. It work well and I never had any problems. I have never tried it while climbing trees but would think it would work.

 

[semprebene]

hi Tom
we use a little carrabiner in the little hole near tha cams so they cannot open...plus lock one of the two ascending rope with a carrabiner near the branch..and we putting a prussig on the locking rope so we can also in emergency case descending...