Rescue Pulleys
Petzl Fixe pulleys are the standard. Two Fixes and two Petzl Oval carabiners make a basic rescue kit. Only buy if you know how to use them.
What to look for
Petzl Fixe pulleys are small, red, and ideal for hauling. That's our recommendation.
The useful setup is two Fixe pulleys and two Petzl OK screwgate carabiners. Together they make a compact rescue system. Clip that onto your harness and you've always got a rescue setup ready. It's also a good place to keep your knife. If you know how to use it, that's enough to get someone out of a pitch.
You only really need rescue pulleys if you're rigging pitches and leading trips without the Caving Crew.
One warning: only buy rescue gear if you know what to do with it. Gear you don't understand is more dangerous than no gear at all. If you don't know how to set up a haul system, the pulleys are just extra weight.
What to get first
You need to be confident on SRT before you buy rescue gear. Know how to change over on a rope, ascend and descend, and rig a pitch. Rescue equipment is for people who already know what they're doing underground.
Buying Guide
- Price (New): ££
- Price (Used): £
- Buy online? Yes. Pulleys are simple mechanical devices. Buy from any caving or climbing retailer.
Buying Second Hand
Pulleys are one of the safer things to buy secondhand. They're simple mechanical devices with few failure modes. Check the sheave spins freely and look for cracks in the side plates. If it all looks sound, it's probably fine.
Where you can buy it
Starless River, Inglesport, Up & Under, Bernies/Earthworm.