Importance

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Abstract

A descender (1) for controlling the descent of a climber down a rope (2) fixed to an anchor point (P), the descender comprising a primary rope-engaging means in the form of a cam lock (3) and associated rope entry guide (10), the camlock having a rope braking surface co-operable with the rope entry guide to partially or wholly lock the rope in response to movement of the rope, and handle means (9) to adjustably unlock the camlock to thereby wholly or partially release the rope and thereafter allow further descent from the anchor point, CHARACTERISED IN THAT the descender also includes a secondary rope engaging means (15) disposed in advance of the primary rope engaging means (3,10) and having an additional rope-engaging braking surface (16) adapted to, in use, selectively impart additional or alternative friction to the rope before it enters the primary rope-engaging means.

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First Claim