Petzl Basic

This compact and adaptable rope clamp is designed for efficiency and ease of use. The BASIC ascender sits comfortably in the hand, making it an ideal choice for rope ascents. Its generously sized lower attachment hole allows for the secure connection of carabiners, accommodating both a lanyard and a foot loop.

Features

• Designed as a compact ascender, it provides a secure and comfortable grip for the user.
• Suitable for rope ascents on a fixed line or as a progress-capturing device within a hauling system.
• Equipped with a toothed cam featuring a self-cleaning slot, ensuring optimal performance even in challenging conditions such as frozen or muddy ropes.
• Constructed with a stainless steel cam, offering enhanced resistance to corrosion for long-term durability.
• The lower attachment hole is spacious enough to accommodate two carabiners, securing both the lanyard and foot loop.
• An upper connection hole is included to guide the rope effectively.
  

Specifications

Technology

Technical Notice

• Download the PDF : technical-notice-BASIC-3 - 3.45 MB

Declaration Of Conformity

• Download the PDF : UE_Declaration_B18BAA_BASIC - 0.64 MB

Tips for maintaining your equipment

• Download the PDF - 3.28 MB

Inspection

PPE inspection procedure

• Download the PDF - 2.41 MB

PPE checklist

• Download the PDF - 0.21 MB

Technical Content

SHORT DOWN-CLIMB ON ASCENDERS

For a short down-climb on a rope, it is not necessarily worthwhile to use a descender. The two ascenders can be moved alternately downward.

1. Short-Step Method

Put your weight on the progression ascender, deactivate the chest ascender without opening it and move it down a step.

Put your weight on the chest ascender, deactivate the progression ascender without opening it and move it down to just above the chest ascender.

2. Method for Deactivating Ascenders

It is important to avoid completely opening the safety catch on your ascenders.

The cam can be deactivated by pressing on its top.

With the new compact ascender models, getting your finger on top is more difficult, especially when wearing gloves. Push the safety catch against the frame, without opening it, to deactivate the cam.

USING ONLY ONE ASCENDER?

One ascender is not trustworthy; it is recommended to use two ascenders together and/or to use a backup belay system.

1. One Ascender is not Trustworthy

Trusting the belay to a single ascender in motion on the rope is risky.

There is a risk of the ascender coming off the rope:

• Accidental opening of the safety catch is possible while ascending.

There is a risk of the ascender slipping on the rope:

• Excessive mud or ice on the rope, holding the cam open due to poor hand positioning, foreign objects interfering with the cam (branches, pack straps or clothing), worn teeth...

There is risk of disconnecting the ascender's lanyard, if the carabiner opens (rubbing).

Note:

• Breaking strength is not an issue when a single ascender is used by one person.
• All of the certification tests, and Petzl's internal tests, are done on a single ascender.

Note:

When an ascender is weighted on a rope, it is nearly impossible to cause it to disengage or slip. It's when the ascender is unweighted and/or moving on the rope that there is a risk of slippage or separation from the rope.

2. Differences Between a Chest Ascender and an Ascender on a Lanyard

Chest Ascender

The chest ascender is connected directly to the harness without extension. Its stable position allows for good rope glide.

The user takes care to avoid creating a loop of slack when progressing, thus maintaining a low potential fall length.

Ascender on a Lanyard (or Progression Ascender)

A lanyard offers more freedom of movement to the user, who can mistakenly find themselves above their ascender or with a slack lanyard. This creates potential for a fall. As with the chest ascender, one must also monitor the tension in the rope between the ascender and the anchor. Any loop of slack is dangerous.

Note:

• The ascender standards partially cover the risk of falling on a slack lanyard.
• The EN 12841 type B standard (ascenders for work): fall test on a dynamic lanyard, ascender on a semi-static rope at 1 m from the anchor. Test with the mass engraved on the ascender (140 kg for ASCENSION, BASIC, CROLL on compatible rope diameters greater than 10mm).
• EN 567 standard (ascenders for sport): no fall test.
• Petzl's internal testing complement the requirements of the standards by being based on realistic usage scenarios.
• These tests ensure that the ascenders do not tear the rope in the most unfavorable conditions (fall of the length of the lanyard, 1 m from the anchor, 80 kg dummy, ropes of compatible diameters).

3. Different Modes of Ascender Use

Rope Ascent

The user is hanging on a progression rope.

The recommended rope ascent system includes a chest ascender (CROLL) and an ascender on a lanyard (BASIC, ASCENSION).

As a single ascender is not trustworthy, it is recommended to use two ascenders, both attached to the harness.

Progression along a Fixed Rope

The user is on their feet, using one or more ascenders for self-belay and as an aid to progression.

The user has their hands free to slide the ascenders along the safety rope, while always keeping it taut.

If there is a low probability of a fall, using one ascender is possible; the rope must always stay taut between the ascender and the anchor.

Self-Belayed Climbing

The user is focused on climbing, belayed by ascenders that follow their progression. The user does not have their hands free to manage ascender position and rope tension.

A fall is likely in this technical climbing situation, so it is recommended to use two ascenders attached to the harness.

PASSING REBELAYS WHEN ASCENDING ROPES

Ascending a rope is quite physical and sometimes long; it is therefore necessary to be efficient and organized when passing rebelays, in order to limit fatigue.

Push the BASIC up just under the knot. Do not jam it against the knot, to leave room for opening the cam.

While standing in the footloop:

• Connect to the anchor with the short lanyard
• Remove the CROLL
  
  

2. Hang from the lanyard and reposition the CROLL above the anchor.

3. Move the BASIC above the CROLL. Transfer your weight to the ascenders by taking up the slack rope under the CROLL. Make sure that they are locking. Remove the lanyard and continue your rope ascent. The rope is free for the others.

Tip:

Starting on an angled rope: put a leg over the rope to make its angle parallel to the CROLL's rope channel.