Emergency Rappelling Gear - Gear Tasting Radio 66

Emergency rappelling involves safely egressing from a building during an emergency, like a fire or other dangerous event. This week on Gear Tasting Radio, we discuss a product from Petzl that’s specifically designed to assist with quickly and safely rappelling from a building.

In addition to emergencies, we also discuss rappelling in normal situations, including things to look out for and the best place for beginners to start learning.

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In each episode of Gear Tasting Radio, we offer an in-depth look into the usage and philosophy behind the equipment in our lives.

[GriffinRampant]

I used the Petzl Exo for 6 years doing structural fire. We had harnesses buckled into our pants and the black rope bag/descender was preconnected and hung from the harness. Kind of bulky and movement restrictive. Eventually they got moved to the airpacks. Our kits hat the long hook like FDNY uses on the end instead of a carabiner. The anchors we used were door hinges, halligan bars across doorways or windows, furniture braced across doorways, corners of windows with the hook dug in.

[enyfd]

Backstory is yes it is purpose built, petzl in conjunction with the FDNY designed it after 2 members were killed and several others injured in a 2005 fire in which they were forced to jump from the 5th floor look up the “black Sunday fire”

[Mechman]

If you are like me Bryan you'd need a trailer to haul all your just in case emergency equipment, eventually the most essential of it has to go into a EDC bag.

[shaneestes]

I always enjoy your content on ITS. However, for $35-50 you can buy an emergency ladder from your local hardware store good for 13' (1 story + a little) but it also comes with hooks to attach to the window sill. I am curious what anchor point you intend to attach your rappelling line to. If you happen to get a 3rd floor hotel room, buy two :-) With the ladder, everyone can escape the room without climbing experience or additional gear.

[Mechman]

Brian do you not use a friction hitch like a klemheist or autoblock in conjunction with an ATC for repel?

[James-kesx]

I think those are called snap-gate carabiners. I bought 4 at $11 each on Amazon Canada. Then the price shot way way up next day. Methinks someone made a price error. I put together my own kit. 3, 000lb paracord, Omega Pacific caribiners, Sterling webbing, Rescue 8 descender etc. Just waiting for a Sterling Lightning Hook on backorder. Picked up the Grabber grappling hook, a bit expensive but you only live once. It's not for fire escape, just general rescue, plus I watch too much youtube. You guys get me buying stuff. Youtube to Amazon, press easy button.

[Omega_G]

Is there a shelf life on the Kevlar rope?