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Tech
Tips
Second
Can't Cut It?
How to Lower Someone in the ATC-Guide Mode
By Kolin Powick, Quality Assurance Manager
1.
Make sure you secure the brake end of the rope
when rigging the lowering system and make absolutely
sure you have a firm hold on the free end of the
rope with your brake hand before releasing the device
as a locked rope can release quickly.
2.
Thread a sling, cord or Stopper (a) through the
small release hole (b) (fig. 1) on your ATC-Guide. Warning—Never
use the release hole for any other purpose. Always
secure the brake end of the rope when rigging the
lowering system.
3.
Depending on the weight of the seconding climber
and steepness of the terrain, it may be possible
to pull up directly on the device via the release
hole (ensure you have a firm grip on your brake
hand) and override the locking function of the
ATC-Guide (fig. 1), lowering the climber by slowly
releasing the rope with your brake hand. Warning—Make
sure you have a firm hold on the free end of the
rope with your brake hand before releasing the
device as a locked rope can release quickly.
4.
If you are unable to raise the ATC-Guide enough
to release the rope, run the release sling or cord
through a carabiner attached to the anchors and
back down to your harness. Then lower the climber
by controlling the angle of the ATC-Guide (fig.
2), using your body weight and simultaneously allowing
the rope to slide through your braking hand in
a controlled manner. Take
your weight off the release sling or tighten your
brake hand to slow/stop the climber’s
descent.
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