A buying guide for Descenders

A buying guide for Descenders

There are a variety of devices in this category, with different functionality. However, their purpose is to enable a controlled descent from a high place to a lower place.

There are two categories of descender:
Automatic (Type 1) – Controlled Rate Descenders
Manually operated (Type 2)


    Anti-panic is a term used to describe the function when the handle is pulled too hard in descent and engages the cam, thus stopping the descent.


    As the name suggests, the auto-locking function automatically locks the device when the handle is released. This removes the need to manually lock the handle or to ‘soft-lock’ using a mule hitch.


    Operated by a handle, with or without an anti-panic function. For example, Petzl I’D, Camp Druid, Heightec Prism


    Petzl Stop


    Figure 8

Mechanical prusiks

    Petzl ZigZag

Personal escape systems

    Skylotec Milan, Cresto Smartline X, Petzl EXO


    EN 341 - Personal fall protection equipment. Descender devices for rescue.
    There are also four classes which fall under EN 341; Class A, B, C and D. These classes categorise the amount of energy the device is capable of withstanding. A Class D device is certified for a single descent.

    EN 341 is outside the scope of CE.

    EN 12841 - Personal fall protection equipment. Rope access systems. Rope adjustment devices. Type C refers to descenders.

    EN 15151-1 - Mountaineering equipment. Braking devices. Braking devices with manually assisted locking, safety requirements and test methods.