Ascent using descending devices

Overview

Using the descending device to climb the working line can be a useful technique in a variety of situations, such as; short ascents to avoid changeovers, self-rescue and de-weighting “stuck” devices or lanyards.

Important Considerations

• Device is correctly attached to the working line

• When using a device that has to be unlocked to ascend, it is essential to ensure the tail rope whenever the device is not locked

• Ascent using a descender is more physical than the traditional method of ascending – distance to ascend and the physical effort should be taken into account

Method

1. Ensure there are no tangles in the working and back-up ropes

2. Attach the back-up device to the back-up line, function check and then place in a high position

3. Attach the descending device to the working rope, function check and pull through any excess slack

4. Attach hand ascender to working rope above the descender – taking care not to tangle with the tail rope of descender

5. Place your foot in the foot loop and one hand on the hand ascender

6. Ensure descender is unlocked (if necessary)

7. Simultaneously, stand in the foot loop and pull up on the tail rope to move the descending device up the working rope

8. Maintain back-up device in a high position

9. Reposition hand ascender and repeat step 6-8