figure 8s and rescue 8s

beaker

HI all ,who has either one of these ,are they necessary and if so what type should I purchase, I climb drt using a blakes hitch would a figure 8 be of any use to me, Just a beginner though so have limited funds to spend .

thanks for your replies
cheers

Apocalypsse

As a beginner I don't think you'll need one, if you are climbing with someone experienced they will probably have one. If you are going through TAFE then you will probably be introduced to using them for footlocking. I have my own figure 8 and the only time I've used it is during footlocking, although I don't climb as much as others on here.

TrevMcRev

A basic Fig8 is one of the cheapest pieces of gear you will buy at under $20.

A handy thing to have available on your harness.

If you need to make longish descents to exit the tree at the end of a prune or down a spar before pulling it over the switchover to Fig8 will save you that in worn out friction hitches in time.

It's also just a good extra skill to have under your belt.

mark13y

skip the 8 and get an ATC belay device-like us rock climbers use- it doesn't put twists in your rope, and they cant get tangled or locked off like an 8, they also have a couple of other advantages depending on which one you get, but no, neither of them are necessary, but they save your split tail from all the long high speed descents.

Treebeard

I like the looks of the Rock Exotica Mini 8. Anyone got one?

TrevMcRev

I got one, man it is tiny. So small i really question whether i'd use it!

I'll take a pic tomorrow.

TrevMcRev

Nearly forgot! Here's the Rock Exotica Mini8 shown with 11mm rope.

Cute hey...compact, and can flip round to stow within the D of the biner, but not exactly confidence inspiring.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Tom Forrest

figure 8's are cheap and easy to use and maintain. Get one and learn how to use it.

onrope1911

the one issue with suing an atc style belay device is they can sometimes be a pain to setup in a hurry or if the rope is swollen they are also not designed for the working conditions found in arborist work i was doing an 80' descent from the top of a pine on the edge of a quarry cliff and i literally burned a layer of skin off of my hand because the atc (reverso 3 by petzl) was so hot and it isn't a small device they also cant take the abuse of dangling from a saddle all day they do have the advantage of much better braking and in the case of the reverso it is great fro a ground based belay system but it in the end is a matter of personal preference but really the best way to find out would be to try both if you get basic models they are not too expensive

serialtreekiller

hi all how do you foot lock with a figure eight

onrope1911

you would set the 8 as normal and then prepare a footlock and as you step up you would pull the rope through the 8 and then use it as a progress capture device however i would recommend using a prusik instead because the 8 will only hold you when you are paying attention and it does not provide much friction
if anyone has a better way of doing it with an 8 let me know

NHlocal

Hello, I completely agree with TrevMcRev in post #3. I started using a basic
figure 8 this year for descents, if I knew the wear and tear it would save on
my equipment(and my body) I would have used one from day one climbing.
I had been doing it all with V.T. friction hitch. I'm on a VERY limited budget
so I don't have any experience with mechanical descenders. $10 for a basic
figure 8 fits my budget quite nicely, not to mention how well itworks.
Work safe! NHlocal.

kevin bingham

you dont footlock with an eight, you descend from footlocking with an eight.

paul burns

i have 1 but i dont carry it on my harness,if i need 2 descend on single rope i use a moonta or munta hitch..quick easy n less gear 2 carry.

Tom Watson

I love my Petzl Piranha Descender. always rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
most important thing with descending is to disconnect the 8 from your rope as soon as you are safely down on the ground. the heat from friction can cause damage to the rope, even if you cant see it.

ArbTrain

Gday all.. couple points i would like to make.. 1/ you should NOT be coming down on your figure 8 that it builds up enough heat to damage rope.. 2/ i have never even heard of some one footlocking with a figure 8.. self locking belay devices are the way to go.. prusik.. gri-gr.....ID.,, ect.. footlocking with a figure would be BLOODY DANGEROUS for the inexperienced.. you let go of a fig. 8,,, u fall - real simple.. by complete fluke i was teaching basic climb/ aerial rescue to 3 green horns today and quotes from some OH&s paperwork that i showed them ,that forbids the use of non- locking belay systems,,, i find it hard to disagree... i have a fig,. 8 on my harness,, but i also have a petzl gri-gri,, iknow which one is safer...footlocking is hard enough - especially for the inexperienced.. keep the fig. 8 out of it.

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