Highline Rescue: A Multi-Directional Access System with Built-In Redundancy

Rescue environments don’t always offer easy access. Whether it’s a ravine, a collapsed structure, or a remote vertical shaft, reaching the subject often requires a blend of horizontal movement and vertical descent.

The Highline Assembly—centered around the REEVE and SPIN pulleys—is designed to handle exactly these conditions. It creates a mobile, load-bearing anchor point suspended between two fixed tensioned lines, allowing rescuers to move laterally, then lower or raise vertically—all while maintaining full system redundancy.

System Overview: A True Midline Rigging Hub

The diagram illustrates a symmetrical highline using the REEVE trolley as the central anchor frame. Load-bearing lines run from both ends, tensioned across span anchors using SPIN pulleys. Two belay devices (ASAP LOCKs) are connected to backup the main load lines independently.

Core Components:

• Pulley System:

  • Central: Petzl REEVE

  • Additional: SPIN L1 or SPIN S1

• Ropes: Petzl AXIS, RAY 11, or VECTOR

• Connectors: AM’D or OXAN

• Belay Devices: Two ASAP LOCKs + ASAP’SORBER AXESS lanyards (one per rope line)

Functional Advantages of the Highline Assembly

1. Supports Both Horizontal and Vertical Access

Unlike static anchors or twin-tension point systems, the REEVE Highline acts as a movable mid-span anchor, enabling teams to shift laterally across an obstacle before transitioning vertically. This makes it ideal for:

• Crossing collapsed buildings

• Spanning ravines or chasms

• Rope access over water or ice features

• Litter movement across multi-axis routes

2. Redundancy Built into Every Component

This system doesn’t just offer a backup line—it provides full mirroring of all components. That includes two primary haul lines, dual belay devices, independent pulleys, and matched anchors. As a result, if any single point fails, the system continues operating safely under load.

Additionally, each ASAP LOCK—paired with a shock-absorbing ASAP’SORBER AXESS—provides instant fall arrest from either direction.

3. Flexible Dual-Line Configurations

The system allows for two setup options using a second REEVE unit:

• Vertical Stacking: One REEVE above another, useful for separate hauling and belay tracks

• Side-by-Side: Parallel REEVEs for separate systems or load distribution across separate tracks

This allows riggers to tailor the configuration based on terrain, rescue plan, and available gear.

The REEVE: Compact, Strong, and Smartly Designed

At the heart of this system is the REEVE pulley, which functions as a midline anchor hub. Its thoughtful engineering directly supports rescue rigging in field conditions where time, space, and hardware all come at a premium.

Key Features of the REEVE:

• Pre-connected SPIN Pulley Compatibility
  SPIN S1 OPEN pulleys can be clipped directly into the REEVE frame prior to deployment. This significantly reduces setup time and avoids fumbling with hardware during rigging.

• Compact Frame with Reduced Height
  The REEVE keeps the highline’s profile low, limiting the number of connectors and minimizing the overall height of the rigged system—ideal for low-clearance environments.

• Simplified Load Distribution
  The symmetrical layout helps distribute load evenly across multiple anchor points, while still allowing center-point mobility.

System Benefits Recap

• Allows multi-directional access for both horizontal span and vertical descent

• Uses ASAP LOCK and ASAP’SORBER AXESS for bi-directional belay redundancy

• Can be stacked or split using a second REEVE for complex systems

• Pre-rigging with SPIN S1 OPEN pulleys reduces setup time

• Compact design improves maneuverability in tight or complex terrain

Engineered for the Real World

The REEVE Highline Assembly represents a shift from static anchors to dynamic, adaptive rigging. Whether rescuers need to cross a canyon, lower into a gorge, or reposition a litter mid-air, this system delivers a mobile, redundant, and operator-friendly solution.

In scenarios where you only get one chance to move the patient—or where every edge, angle, and movement matters—this system provides the flexibility and safety margin professionals demand.

Peace on your Days

Lance