Rope Ascenders & Descenders

Choosing a rope ascender

Ascenders are chosen by where they sit on the body and by rope diameter. A handled ascender does the pulling and takes most of the load. A chest ascender keeps the climber upright and holds position between pulls. A foot or boot ascender drives the leg stroke. Most rope access technicians run a handled and a chest ascender together on 10mm to 13mm kernmantle, and add a foot ascender for long climbs.

Check the rope diameter range against the rope in use before buying. A device rated for 8mm to 13mm will slip on anything thinner and will not close on anything thicker. Handed devices are supplied left or right, and are not interchangeable.

Powered and mechanical ascenders

A powered ascender does the lifting under battery or petrol drive and is chosen where the same climb is repeated, where a load has to be raised, or where a rescue may require lifting a casualty. The ActSafe range covers battery drive for confined and indoor work and petrol drive for remote sites without power. Drill powered ascenders sit between the two, using a cordless drill as the power source.

Mechanical ascenders are the manual devices above. The word describes the cam mechanism, not a motor, and a mechanical ascender needs no charging, no fuel and no service interval beyond inspection.