The CMC Clutch by Harken Industrial is a revolutionary piece of equipment designed for a wide range of rescue and rope access operations. Known for its versatility, durability, and safety features, the Clutch has become a trusted tool in both urban and wilderness rescue scenarios, as well as in industrial settings. It excels in tasks requiring precision, such as lowering, hauling, belaying, and personal descent. The Clutch is favored for its ability to seamlessly integrate into Twin Tension Rope Systems (TTRS), mechanical advantage systems, and midwall pickoff rescues, providing users with unmatched control and efficiency.
Certified to meet NFPA, ANSI, and EN safety standards, the CMC Clutch is built with a machined aluminum chassis and stainless steel wear guards, ensuring its longevity even in demanding environments. Its unique features, including the anti-panic brake, force-limiting mechanism, and ergonomic design, make it suitable for high-stress rescue operations where safety is paramount.
1. Twin Tension Rope Systems (TTRS)
The CMC Clutch is heavily used in Twin Tension Rope Systems (TTRS), where two independently tensioned ropes provide redundancy and load-sharing during rescue operations. Unlike traditional systems where one rope bears the load and the other is a safety backup, TTRS allows both ropes to share the load equally. This system improves control, reduces risk, and enhances safety by minimizing dynamic load shocks during rope rescue (Rigging Lab Academy) (Rigging Lab Academy). It’s ideal for lowering and raising operations, especially in high-angle rescues, confined spaces, and challenging terrain.
2. Mechanical Advantage Systems
With its integrated becket, the CMC Clutch can be seamlessly integrated into mechanical advantage systems (e.g., 3:1 or 5:1 systems). These setups are crucial for creating hauling systems that multiply the force applied to a rope, making it easier to lift heavy loads. The Clutch’s ability to combine with pulleys enhances its use in scenarios requiring efficient hauling and lowering, such as in rescue operations where precise load control is necessary (Rigging Lab Academy). The Clutch’s lightweight, durable design and ergonomic handle make it perfect for these operations.
3. Midwall Pickoff Rescues
The Clutch is integral in midwall pickoff rescues, where rescuers need to retrieve or lower a subject from a wall, cliff, or building. In these scenarios, the Clutch’s ability to smoothly transition between lowering, hauling, and rappelling operations is critical. By using a pickoff strap or harness, rescuers can securely attach and lower the victim while maintaining control throughout the process (Rigging Lab Academy). Its anti-panic brake and force-limiting features ensure safe, controlled descents even in high-stress situations.
4. Belaying and Personal Descent
The Clutch is also widely used in belaying and personal descent situations. Its ergonomic control handle allows for controlled descent under various loads, and its anti-panic feature ensures that if the user pulls the handle too hard in a panic, the device will automatically brake. This makes it ideal for both belaying and individual rappelling in rescue or rope access work, ensuring the safety of both the user and the person being lowered (Rigging Lab Academy) (Rigging Lab Academy).
5. Fall Arrest and Force Limiting
The Clutch’s force-limiting mechanism plays a vital role in fall arrest systems. This mechanism prevents excessive dynamic forces during a fall, allowing the Clutch to slip slightly and dissipate energy, reducing the risk of injury or equipment damage. This feature is essential in environments where fall arrest systems are deployed, such as during vertical rescue, confined space entry, or tower work (
Rigging Lab Academy). The device is certified to multiple safety standards, ensuring reliability under the most demanding conditions.
6. Urban and Wilderness Rescue
Due to its versatility, the Clutch is used in both urban and wilderness rescue settings. It is compact, lightweight, and easy to operate, making it useful in rescue operations in confined spaces, industrial settings, and natural environments such as cliffs or canyons. The Clutch is particularly valuable in scenarios requiring rapid transitions between different rescue techniques, such as lowering, hauling, or performing a pickoff rescue (Rigging Lab Academy) (Rigging Lab Academy).
Summary
The CMC Clutch offers a comprehensive solution to various rescue and rigging challenges, making it an indispensable tool for professionals in technical rescue and industrial rigging. Its ability to function in Twin Tension Rope Systems (TTRS) ensures load-sharing and redundancy, improving both safety and efficiency during operations. Additionally, its use in mechanical advantage systems enhances hauling and lowering capabilities, while the force-limiting mechanism ensures safety in fall arrest situations.
From midwall pickoff rescues to urban and wilderness rescues, the Clutch’s versatility shines. It transitions smoothly between different rescue techniques, allowing operators to perform complex tasks with minimal setup. Whether used in belaying, personal descent, or fall arrest, the Clutch consistently delivers precise control and reliability, making it a cornerstone of modern rope rescue equipment (Rigging Lab Academy)(Rigging Lab Academy)(Rigging Lab Academy).
This tool’s robust design and multiple certifications make it ideal for rescue teams, industrial technicians, and anyone involved in high-angle environments where control, safety, and durability are critical.
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