SMART MEANS OF ESCAPE: 10th March, 2009

What's going on?

Descending from a height by rope need not involve the skill of abseiling (rappelling) much longer. Several years of research and development between Suco in Germany and Spidescape in America, have culminated in a hand sized device which can either by attached by a karabiner to an individual or secured at a high point to facilitate supervised descent of individuals.

Descending by rope in an emergency should not be dependant on an individual applying a previously learnt abseiling technique especially in the “heat” of the moment! As a result, this unique design combines inherent friction similar to the figure-of-eight device with a centrifugal or overspeed brake to automatically limit the rate of descent (c.2metres per second). In addition, the brake can be locked or adjusted to override the overspeed brake by hand. It is not necessary to thread the rope from one end, just engage it at any point and close the cover before attaching a karabiner (see photo). Hands free descent is also possible and, because it can operate in both directions, alternate rope ends can be used to speed up descent cycle time.

Applications are anticipated within the rescue services, the armed forces, the recreation industry and in any situations where means of escape would be enhanced by this product.

Worth noting!

Currently the device has been approved to American standard NFPA 1983(06-ED) and a similar model will be checked for compliance with ANSI, CSA and EN standards also by TUV in Munich. Arrangements are in hand for inspection and basic demonstration at Combidrive by the end of May.

Suco ( Robert Scheuffele Gmbh ) was formed in 1938 manufacturing centrifugal clutches, brakes and pressure switches. Special designs now include combined centrifugal and electromagnetic failsafe systems. Combidrive has represented Suco since 1978.