New Products Coming from Petzl Professional

Written By: Lance Piatt

So I received some great information from Petzl. Soon, I will release a better and more specific release (pic and vids), but for now… I wanted to address some questions I have received over the last month or so. Currently images do exist out in cyberspace, but we’d prefer to use our own or Petzl’s official collateral… They just look nicer. So, we’ll have that for you shortly. In the meantime… here are the updates. Rescue Response Gear will have all the updates soon and of course, Rigging Lab Academy will be doing some very cool Gear Reviews on them as well. Stay Tuned!!!!

ARB GEAR

The PETZL CHICANE is due to launch mid March, and was a huge hit at the recent Tree Care Industry expo in Charlotte. When combined with either of the new ZIGZAGs (2019 ZIGZAG, ZIGZAG PLUS [with swivel connection]), or with any existing ZIGZAG, the CHICANE allows the user to ascend and descend smoothly on a single fixed rope. On ascent, the user can use our PANTIN foot ascender along with another new product that will launch in March; the KNEE ASCENT, in this configuration, the ZIGZAG + CHICANE acts as a progress capture while each right and left leg motion adds 100% ascent progress on the rope (as opposed to 50% ascent progress in “Double Rope” or “Moving Rope” technique). The CHICANE connects to the ZIGZAG via OK or AM’D connector and is mid-line installable (the ZIGZAG must still be threaded on the rope). The CHICANE is only approved for use with our ZIGZAG products.

INDUSTRIAL DESCENT

The I’D-S is getting an update to include: an AUTO-LOCK feature which returns the handle to lock position (like the 2018 version of the RIG), a stainless steel-reinforced friction plate, an improved cam that eliminates the need for the yellow button on the handle (for light loads), a cam manipulation feature for pulling out slack when necessary, an add-on friction spur (open or closed) for redirecting the rope for additional friction, a stainless steel friction groove on the housing for optional friction management that’s in line with the rope, a second version of the I’D-S called the I’D EVAC that has an approximately 90-degree range of motion on the control handle, thus pulling away from the anchor point while lowering (especially handy on high anchor point applications–this version will be on all new JAG RESCUE KITS) and finally, the I’D-L will have the same improvements made to the ID-S, but also gets a plastic gate on the moving plate (like the ID-S and RIG already have). We are asking for some early production samples from Petzl France to place with key training organizations and influencers.

HELMETS

Petzl is also updating their Pro helmets for 2019 including EASY CLIP accessories just to mention one update. They will also have a new AVAO, ASTRO BOD FAST, and 2 versions of the SEQUOIA harness and will also introduce a new ANSI-rated aluminum carabiner; the B’MD. ]

THE BIG QUESTION

No word yet on the PETZL MAESTRO.

New Products Coming Soon...  
Preview upcoming Petzl products that are not yet commercially available. 
The release date of each product is indicated.

Petzl Helmets

Essential for work at height and certain industrial activities, helmets give the user effective protection from falling objects, or if the person him/herself falls. Thanks to a very secure fit on the head, Petzl helmets are comfortable to wear in any situation. With a complete line of entirely modular accessories, they meet the diverse needs of professionals.

Available April 2019

Petzl Self Breaking Descenders (Sneak 2018)

Easy to use, self-braking descenders adapt to any situation encountered during work at height, rope access work, or technical rescue: descending, work positioning, short rope ascents, belaying with climbing techniques.

Available April 2019

Mechanical Prusiks for tree care (NEW)

Mechanical Prusiks allow arborists to optimize their movement within a tree. They are user-friendly and intuitive to use. To meet a variety of needs, they can be used on doubled rope and single rope.

Available March 2019

Tree care harnesses (NEW)

These harnesses are designed for arborists: they ensure great mobility in the tree and optimally distribute the load between the waistbelt and the leg loops. They also provide excellent lumbar support in the many work phases where the arborist has his/her weight on the harness.

Available February 2019

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Peace on your Days…

Lance

About The Author:

Lance Piatt

Beginning his career in the rescue and rigging world as a “blue collar” SAR member with Deschutes and Jefferson County teams. Lance Piatt owns and operates Red Ibex Solutions, a sales and marketing wheelhouse blending rope rigging education and exquisite imagery with equipment knowledge and understanding; housing Rigging Lab Academy and Rescue Response Gear… Lance is producing high-end video education, working with several experts and instructors to produce unique series of “how to videos” and courses for rope rigging: Such as; the first ever full-length rescue training DVD, 'Tower Rescue', released in fall of 2005. As well as a series of scenario-based rescues ranging from cave rescue to cliff rescue.