Climbing Technology CROCODILE Manual Del Usuario página 5

The instruction manual for this device consists of general and specific instructions,
both must be carefully read and understood before use. Attention! This leaflet
shows the specific instruction only.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS CROCODILE.
This note contains the necessary information for a correct use of the following
product/s: belay/ abseil device Crocodile.
1) FIELD OF APPLICATION.
The device complies with the following standards: EN 15151-2:2012 type 2 -
Manual braking devices / devices for belaying and abseiling without a function
to adjust the friction; UIAA 129 - Mountaineering and climbing equipment / brak-
ing devices. This device is a belay/ abseil device for mountaineering and rock
climbing for use with one or two ropes. It is a manual braking device particularly
useful for multipitch climbing, for belaying one or two second climbers and for
abseiling and the lowering of loads in rescue operations. Attention! Do not use
for belaying the lead climber (Fig. 3.5).
2) NOTIFIED BODIES.
The tests specific to this device have been carried out by the notified body indi-
cated in the table (Fig. 1.3).
3) NOMENCLATURE (Fig. 2).
A) Engagement hole. B) Insertion locations for the loop of rope.
3.1 - Main materials. Refer to the legend in the general instructions (paragraph
2.4): 3.
4) MARKING.
Numbers/letters without caption: refer to the legend in the general instructions
(paragraph 5).
4.1 - General (Fig. 2). Indicazioni: 1; 4; 6; 7; 8; 13; 14; 30) EN 892 compat-
ible rope diameters and types. 31) EN 1891 compatible rope diameters and
types. 32) Pictogram indicating the correct insertion of the ropes.
4.2 - Traceability (Fig. 2). Indications: T3; T8.
5) COMPATIBILITY (Fig. 1).
Make sure the device is compatible with the other elements used.
5.1 - Ropes. This device must be exclusively used with EN 892 dynamic ropes
(half and twin ropes Ø 7.7÷9 mm; single ropes Ø 8.5÷11 mm) o EN 1891
ropes (type A and B, Ø 9÷12 mm). Braking efficiency and ease of rope feed
depend on the diameter and smoothness of the rope. Attention! The use of wet or
icy ropes can affect the efficiency of the device. Attention! In case of use with two
ropes, only use ropes which have the same diameter and state of wear. Attention!
It's recommended to use gloves, especially when using thin ropes.
5.2 - Karabiners for engaging and for belaying.
This device must be exclusively used with a oval shape karabiner (Fig. 1.1) or
with a wide base HMS karabiner (Fig. 1.2), both equipped with a locking gate.
Attention! The use of a karabiner with different characteristics may compromise
the function of the device.
5.3 - Terminology. In this note, the term "rope" will be used to indicate the use
of one or two ropes. Where the use of a single rope involves the variation of this
use, it will be indicated specifically in the respective paragraph. When using half
or twin ropes each rope must pass through the correct location on the device. The
term "prusik" is defined as any self-locking knot in climbing.
6) CHECKS.
Further to the checks listed below, comply with what indicated in the general
instructions (paragraph 3).
Before each use, verify that: the insertion slots for the rope loops and, in general,
all places on which the rope is rubbing, do not have cuts, cracks, nicks or sign
of wear deeper than 1 mm; on the device there are no sharp edges due to wear.
Attention! Before the first use, it is advisable to test the device in a safe environ-
ment. Attention! A buddy check between the climber and the belayer is essential
before start climbing.
7) BELAYING 1 OR 2 SECONDS FROM THE ANCHOR.
During all stages of belaying it is required to: be personally and correctly made
safe; always keep firmly in hand and tense both free ends of the ropes.
7.1 - Installation. Connect the engaging karabiner to the top of the anchor and
insert it into one of the two engagement holes of the device. Insert the loops of
rope into the 'B' hole of the device (Fig. 3.1) as shown. Clip the belay karabiner
to the loops of rope coming out from the device (Fig. 3.2). Close the locking gate
of the karabiner. Attention! Make sure that the climber's ropes are on the side
above the ropes in your hand. Attention! In case of use with a single rope, the
belay karabiner will be connected to the engagement karabiner as shown (Fig.
4.1). Risk of death! Do not connect the device to the anchor using the insertion
holes for the ropes (Fig. 3.4).
7.2 - Function test (Fig. 3.3). Pull the rope down on the climber's side, to make
sure the self-locking system works.
7.3 - Belaying 1 or 2 seconds (Fig. 4.1-4.2-4.5). Use both hands to take in
correctly the rope of the seconds climbers (climber side) through the device. In
case one or two of the second climbers fall, the rope will automatically block in
the device. Attention! Always keep firmly in hand and tense both free ends of the
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ropes. Risk of death! In case of use with a single rope, make sure that the locking
gate of the belay carabiner doesn't get interlocked with the engagement karabi-
ner. Attention! In case the end of the route is in traverse, it is recommended to clip
a few quickdraws as close as possible to the anchor. In this way, the auto-locking
system will guarantee to work for both climbers, even if one of them hangs on the
rope (Fig 4.3-4.4).
7.4 - Releasing and gradually lowering of a second. The device allows to release
and lower a second in a progressive way, even under tension and free hanging.
Attach a loop of rope or a sling (C) to the lower engagement hole of the device,
pass it through a locking gate carabiner (D) positioned at the anchor and then
finally connect it to the harness as shown (Fig. 4.7). Make a Prusik knot (E) on the
free end of the ropes and connect it to the harness as shown (Fig. 4.7). Keeping a
firm grip on the free end of the rope, slowly load the loop of rope or sling to raise
the device (Fig. 4.8, phase 1). Finally take action on the Prusik knot in order to
slide the ropes through the device and lower the second (Fig. 4.8, phase 2). At-
tention! Do not completely raise the device. Attention! Check the correct position
of the ropes coming out from the device: in case of incorrect position the ropes
may get blocked preventing the lowering of the second.
8) DESCENT OF A LOAD (Fig. 5).
During all stages of belaying it is required to: be personally and correctly made
safe; always keep firmly in hand and tense both free ends of the ropes.
8.1 - Installation. Attach the device to the anchor and insert the ropes as shown.
Make a Prusik knot (E) on the free ends of the ropes and connect it to the harness
as shown (Fig. 5.1). Keeping a firm grip on the free ends of the ropes, take action
on the Prusik knot in order to slide the ropes through the device and lower the
load (Fig. 5.1). The drawings represent three ways of lowering: lowering with
two ropes (Fig. 5.1); lowering with a single rope (Fig. 5.2); lowering with two
Crocodile (greater braking force, ideal for heavy loads - Fig. 5.3).
9) ABSEILING.
Before abseiling you must: attach yourself to the anchor with a lanyard that is at-
tached to your harness in a safe way; prepare the rope for the abseil making sure
it is not tangled and there is a knot in the end of the ropes; make a prusik knot on
the rope and connect it to your harness with a locking gate karabiner.
9.1 - Installation. Lower the Prusik knot on the ropes, make sure the rope is taught
and slide the ropes up in it to create a loop (Fig. 6.1). Connect the Crocodile
to the longe through the engagement karabiner and insert the loops of rope into
the 'B' holes of the device as shown (Fig. 6.2). Attach the belay karabiner to
loops of rope coming out from the device (Fig. 6.3). Close the locking gate of
the carabiner.
9.2 - Tensioning / releasing lanyard. Apply tension to the prusik knot (Fig. 6.4) in
order to remain suspended on the rope. With one hand hold firmly the free end of
the rope, than release the karabiner of the lanyard (Fig. 6.5).
9.3 - Abseiling. Manage the prusik knot in one hand so that it does not tighten
around the rope and with the other hand control the speed of descending by ac-
companying the free end of the rope towards the device (Fig. 6.6). The drawings
represent three ways of lowering that offer different braking forces (Fig. 6.6÷6.8).
10) OCCASIONAL ROPE ASCENT.
The device can be used to make an occasional ascent of a single or two ropes.
Install the device as shown (Fig. 7) and continue with the ascent. Attention! Oc-
casional use reserved only for experienced users.
11) SYMBOLS. Refer to the legend in the general instructions (paragraph 16): F1;
F2; F3; F4; F5; F7; F9.
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