23102 NE 3rd Avenue, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Voice (360) 887-0702 Fax (360) 887-1930
Email TowMeUp@iesonline.cc

The long awaited release of our custom designed and built belay device, specifically designed to allow a paraglider pilot to safely lower themselves out of a tree is complete. The prototypes are done, and testing has been completed proving they are of ample strength and they work very well. This device is a tremendous improvement over the belay devices we used to include in our tree kits because it is designed specifically for 6mm perlon. It prevents the line from tangling, causing the device to jam, and we were able to incorporate a set of wrench flats into the device to enable a pilot to loosen riser quick links to remove the lines and make extracting the glider from the tree a far easier process.

If you have purchased a complete kit from us and have lost the instructions, or if your simply purchased the device itself and wish to download a set of instructions to print out, please follow this link to view to download our most current tree rescue kit instructions, which shows the device in use. Please note that TowMeUp.com ONLY recomends the use of this device with 6mm perlon, or climbers static cord. There have been a few recommendations by others who suggest that this device will work with 4mm to 6mm perlon. While this is in fact a correct statement (certain military applications use this device with 3mm Technora descent line), it is an extremely unsafe practise. Before you even consider using anything less than 6mm perlon, consider this important fact:

When you knot a cord or line, you will lose 40 - 50% of the rated strength of the line. If you were to use say a 5mm climbers static cord, that means that you will have a breaking strength of as little as 600 pounds. Bounce off a tree limb, or make a quick stop on the descent, and it's quite possible you'll be falling to the ground! At TowMeUp.com we have a special 6mm climbers static cord custom made for us with a breaking strength in excess of 2400 pounds. This provides a safe working load when used carefully to perform a self extraction from a tree.

Please note that you MUST practise with the use of this device BEFORE you find yourself stuck in a tree. This enables you to become familiar with the equipment, and verify the number of wraps used to slow your descent is sufficient. It's also a good time to practise extraction where you can't reach the tree and need to use your glider riser quick links as an attachment point to rapell from.

A few pilots have noted that their current harness design doesn't have large enough side pockets to keep the entire tree self rescue kit stored within reach. The solution is simplicity itself. What you need to do is remove the line, carabiner and LetMeDown device from the bag, and untie the knot that secures the tail of the descent cord to the bag. THIS KNOT AT THE END OF THE LINE IS IMPORTANT, AS IT KEEPS YOU FROM RAPELLING OFF THE END OF THE LINE IN THE EVENT THE LINE DOESN'T MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND. Now take a small soldering iron and melt a hole on the inside of a pocket that is accessible in flight. Pass the end of the line through the pocket and securely tie the line to a reinforced strap inside your harness. Typically the supports for the leg, or across the back are a good place to secure the line. Feed the extra line so it is flaked inside the harness where it will be stored out of the way. Leave the belay device, quick link, and a few feet of line in the accessible pocket. If you land in a tree, secure the cord as normal, then withdraw the entire section of cord from inside the harness before attaching to the LetMeDown device and rapelling out of the tree.

Keep checking this site and we'll update it with photos showing a simple technique to lower yourself down even if you can't reach the tree trunk.

	Top view showing the belay device and the sewn sling. The belay device is CNC machined from 6061T6 Aluminum and is just under 3" x 2" x .375" thick. The wrench flats are clearly visible. The belay device includes the anodized and laser engraved custom machined 6061 T6 Aluminum belay device and the sewn webbing sling. For paraglider use, typically the device is used with both legs of the webbing attached to the harness risers, allowing for a very comfortable descent. For other applications (hang glider pilots, personal self rescue, retreat from technical climbing route, or whitewater rescue) you can use either link, or cut off one link if you are sure you won't need it in the future. Structurally the device functions like a quick draw style attachment with one end permanently affixed to the device.
	Overall view shown threaded with a short piece of 6mm perlon. In use, the quick link to the left is passed around the tree then the cord is passed through it. The gate is screwed shut (the wrench flats in the device can be used if desired) and the line is secured to the tree. The loops in the red webbing are attached to the pilots harness carabiners after the glider risers are removed. The free end of the line is held and fed through the device to allow a controlled decent out of the tree.
	This view shows the wrench flats as they could be used to loosen the riser quick links to allow the glider lines to be removed, making the extraction of the glider from the tree easier. There are 4 milled wrench flats designed to fit the quick link used in the kit, and the most common paraglider riser quick link sizes. It's a good idea to practise with this device before you find yourself stuck in a tree. While practising, you should use the opportunity to make sure one of the wrench flats will fit your riser quick links. If not, use a file and carefully widen a slot to enable it to fit your gliders links.
	This view shows the laser engraved instructions to make it easy for those who are assembling their own kits to ensure the device is threaded correctly.