Which device type should allow for controlled descent and braking?

Which device type should allow for controlled descent and braking?

• A. Ropes
• B. Descenders
• C. Harnesses
• D. Carabiners

Answer: (B)

Controlling descent and braking requires a device that can grip the rope as you lower, letting you modulate speed and hold your weight when needed. A descender is specifically designed for this purpose: you feed the rope through the device and apply brake with your hand to slow or stop, using friction to control your descent. Ropes are the line itself, not a braking mechanism. Harnesses are worn for support and attachment points, not for braking control. Carabiners are connectors that join components, but they don’t provide sustained braking on their own. So the device type that enables controlled descent and braking is the descender.

Controlling descent and braking requires a device that can grip the rope as you lower, letting you modulate speed and hold your weight when needed. A descender is specifically designed for this purpose: you feed the rope through the device and apply brake with your hand to slow or stop, using friction to control your descent. Ropes are the line itself, not a braking mechanism. Harnesses are worn for support and attachment points, not for braking control. Carabiners are connectors that join components, but they don’t provide sustained braking on their own. So the device type that enables controlled descent and braking is the descender.