It's
the year of the swivel! Several new pulley
products in the new CMC catalog #125 include swivels. No more frantic
hand signals to the rigger sitting on the anchor beam to re-rig the pulley
180 degrees.
CMC
Patient tie-in system A very fast system
for horizontal or vertical packaging. Don't get me wrong, I love
1" tubular webbing, but I have watched so many teams waste a whole lot
of time trying to remember how to tie the patient into a litter.
Petzl I'D
self-braking descender: Pull the handle for
descent, let go or pull too hard on handle to stop. The straight rope
path avoids rope kinking. I like it for access work when I need both
hands. There are two sizes. They have a recommended
maximum descent distance of 600 feet (200 m ).
New 2.2 oz. headlamp:
This is a personal favorite as a secondary light! The Petzl Zipka is a 3 LED that puts out white
light for 150 hours on 3 AAA batteries. An internal roll-up strap system replaces a elasticized headband system.
5 mm Tech Cord:
Min. breaking strength = 5,000 lbs. - for emergency access, escape,
belays. Kevlar-like core, very tough! So small it will
mess with your mind!
SMC Escape 8: Mini
8-ring - Min. breaking strength = 2000 lbs. Use with escape cordage. "folks
are starting to call my rescue gear cute"
540 Rescue Belay:
Good Job! I've been waiting for
years. For rescue system belays. "able to hold falling
loads quickly while limiting peak force." Then gently
lower. It takes practice to avoid early lock up. Ain't friction grand? -
JP
