A user-controllable braking system, including a descent tether connectable to a support and configurable for descending a user; a rigid body configured to be connectable between the descent tether and a user for enabling control of the descent by the user; a pulley rotatably positioned on the rigid body, the descent tether positionable around the pulley; a brake member yieldably positioned on the rigid body adjacent the pulley; a bias member operatively associated with the brake member to bias the brake member away from the pulley; and a lever pivotally connected to the rigid body and operable to bear against the brake member to controllably overcome the bias member and controllably bear the brake member against a portion of the descent tether. Operation of the lever by the user enables the user to controllably bear the brake member against the portion of the descent tether positioned around the pulley to provide a braking force.

A user insertion system, that includes (a) a belay tether connectable to a support and configurable for descending a user; (b) an attachment device installable onto the support between the support and the belay tether; (c) a user braking device connectable between the belay tether and the user; and (d) a tip resistant system.

A user insertion system, that includes (a) a belay tether connectable to a support and configurable for descending a user; (b) an attachment device installable onto the support between the support and the belay tether; (c) a user braking device connectable between the belay tether and the user; and (d) a tip resistant system.

An improved firefighter SCBA harness is provided. The harness has a backplate for supporting an air cylinder. A waist belt extends from the backplate to secure the backplate to a waist of a firefighter wearing the SCBA harness. Shoulder straps extend from a top of the backplate connecting to the waist belt. A seat harness extends from a bottom of the backplate to a front of the waist belt for positioning through the legs of a firefighter. A bailout cable kits provides a spool on the waist belt for extending a cable from the harness to enable the firefighter to perform a bailout, used in a retrieval or as a fall restraint. A battery powered winch may also be integrated in the harness.

An improved firefighter SCBA harness is provided. The harness has a backplate for supporting an air cylinder. A waist belt extends from the backplate to secure the backplate to a waist of a firefighter wearing the SCBA harness. Shoulder straps extend from a top of the backplate connecting to the waist belt. A seat harness extends from a bottom of the backplate to a front of the waist belt for positioning through the legs of a firefighter. A bailout cable kits provides a spool on the waist belt for extending a cable from the harness to enable the firefighter to perform a bailout, used in a retrieval or as a fall restraint. A battery powered winch may also be integrated in the harness.

Embodiments include a system for controlled release of a descent line that can include a shaft secured to a first end of a descent line. Embodiments can include a magnet cradle housing fixedly coupled with the shaft, a first magnet retained by the magnet cradle housing, a coil assembly secured in magnetic proximity to the magnet assembly to generate an electric current by magnetic interaction with the magnet when the shaft is rotated. Embodiments can include a braking assembly powered by the magnet and coil assembly such that the decent of a user is slowed to a safe rate of speed.

Disclosed is a pulley assembly in a roped access system including first and second plates and a sheave carried for rotation about an axis normal to the plates. An aperture passes through each plate parallel to the axis. The plates have a closed condition when the apertures are coaxial with one another and the plates are in contact near the apertures, forming a rope passage extending between the plates adjacent the sheave, having an upper part smaller than parts of the passage below that upper part. A roped access system includes a climbing rope passing through the rope passage and a tether connected to the climbing rope above the pulley assembly by a friction hitch and an aperture of the pulley assembly, the hitch. The hitch grips the rope upon downward force to the tether, releasing its grip upon upward force to the friction hitch by pulley assembly plates.

Disclosed is a pulley assembly in a roped access system including first and second plates and a sheave carried for rotation about an axis normal to the plates. An aperture passes through each plate parallel to the axis. The plates have a closed condition when the apertures are coaxial with one another and the plates are in contact near the apertures, forming a rope passage extending between the plates adjacent the sheave, having an upper part smaller than parts of the passage below that upper part. A roped access system includes a climbing rope passing through the rope passage and a tether connected to the climbing rope above the pulley assembly by a friction hitch and an aperture of the pulley assembly, the hitch. The hitch grips the rope upon downward force to the tether, releasing its grip upon upward force to the friction hitch by pulley assembly plates.

A portable power-driven system, such as an ascender/descender arrangement, ensures that a rope used in relation to the portable power-driven system is securely handled when in an operational state.

A portable power-driven system, such as an ascender/descender arrangement, ensures that a rope used in relation to the portable power-driven system is securely handled when in an operational state.