Singing rock DSDplus Manual Del Usuario página 9

be pushed in its extreme open position and the jamming cleat has to be dra-
wn out of the descender to its terminal point. Now the bight can be pushed
in between both flanges at their lower end (fig. 1/ A), that is, between the
attachment point and the jamming cleat. Care should be taken that the
working (load carrying) end of the rope exits the device by the jamming
cleat and the free end of the rope by the carabiner. Then thread the bight
around the jamming cleat, between the upper parts of both flanges and
finally catch the jamming cleat with the bight. Eventually move the jamming
cleat back in the descender so that it engages the rope. If the rope has not
been inserted correctly the descender will not be able to perform its function
and will hence be of no use.
Figure 3: OPERATIONAL CHECK
Before each use carry out an operational check of the device by testloading
it with your body weight while secured by other means. Additionally it is
essential to assess the reliability and security of the entire safety system you
are relying on: adequate resistance of the anchors (EN 795 or ANSI/ ASSE
Z359.1 for fall-arrest and 3100 lb for static loads) and their correct (higher)
positioning to arrest a fall and prevent pendulum effects, correct positioning
of the ropes – e.g. protecting sharp edges or points of rubbing, preventing
ill running of the descender, redundancy, etc. – and to tie a stopper knot at
the free end of the rope. Any overload or dynamic loading of the descender
may damage the rope. Avoid descending into electrical, thermal or chemical
sources or hazards.
Figure 4: DESCENT
While loading the system, the user should hold with one hand the free end
of the rope and with the other hand gradually push the handle against
the descender's body (fig. 4/ A). This unblocks the rope and allows for a
controlled descent. The maximal permitted speed of descent is 2 m/s. By
increasing pressure on the handle the user will activate the descender's
second braking position (anti panic) and when the pressure is high enough
the descent will be stopped entirely (fig. 4/B). By releasing the handle alto-
gether the descent is stopped automatically (fig. 2/ A). Use a second braking
carabiner to lower from a fixed position (fig. 4/C). To prevent accidental
uncontrolled descents, the descender may be locked-off entirely by forming
a bight in the free end of the rope, passing it through the connecting carabi-
ner and catching with the bight the entire descender (fig. 4/D).
Figure 5: ACCOMPANIED DESCENT
This method of evacuation may only be adopted by rescuers specifically
trained in this technique. No impact loading is tolerated. The rescuer fastens
the descender to his harness and connects the injured person by means of
an additional lanyard. Obligatory is the use of a supplementary braking
carabiner as well as the use of gloves. The rescuer and the injured person
must be secured with an additional independently anchored safety line.
WARNING: With speeds above 1 m/s during rescue operations the descen-
der may get hot enough to damage the line.