Triggering the anti-panic handle
Warnings
- Carefully read the Instructions for Use used in this technical advice before consulting the advice itself. You must have already read and understood the information in the Instructions for Use to be able to understand this supplementary information.
- Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised.
- We provide examples of techniques related to your activity. There may be others that we do not describe here.
Working principle
The GRIGRI + has an anti-panic handle that is especially useful in learning how to control a lower.
If the belayer pulls too hard on the handle, the anti-panic mechanism triggers and stops the descent.
To continue the descent, the belayer releases the handle completely, then resumes lowering normally.
Note:
As with all belaying maneuvers, the belayer must always hold the brake side of the rope.
Resuming the descent:
Explanatory drawings:
Inconvenient triggering of the anti-panic handle
In certain cases, the anti-panic mechanism can trigger inconveniently (if there is rope drag, with a lightweight climber, on reaching the ground...).
To unblock the rope and complete the lower, you can pull the handle completely back. This overriding of the anti-panic function is for exceptional use only.
Explanatory drawings:
Particular case:
Warning: in certain configurations (lightweight climber and/or belayer, rope drag, small diameter rope, new rope...), the triggering of the anti-panic handle may be too subtle for the belayer to notice. Even with the anti-panic handle, you must always hold the brake side of the rope to stop the descent.
Remember: novice belayers are advised to avoid using a rope that is too thin.
