Oct
18
2009
Totem Used in Rescue System
These photos show the Totem in use in a lowering system during a practice rescue operation conducted as part of a Rigging for Rescue course in Ouray, Colorado.
The rope was rigged on a Scarab in low-friction mode with a Totem rigged behind it in plaquette mode. The Totem provided an auto-locking mechanism. Hands off and the Totem locks off. Lever the bottom end of the Totem to release and lower. Lowering speed can be easily controlled using the lever.
The blue rope in the photos is the anchor rigging. The dark blue cord on the lower left in the upper photo is a prusik standing by for converting the lowering system to a haul.
