Petzl ASAP User manual

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP
Experience
© Lafouche
• This “Product Experience” document is a supplement to
the Instructions For Use, which provides feedback from field
experience and tips for using your product
• It is inseparable from the Instructions for use
Important / remember
• Read the instructions for use carefully before looking at the following
techniques
• You must have already read and understood the information in
the Instructions for use to be able to understand this supplementary
information
• Mastering these techniques requires specific training
• Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these
techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised
Failure to heed any of these warnings may result in
severe injury or death.

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP EXPERIENCE
2
FOR
BEGINNER
NOT FOR
BEGINNER
EXPERT
ONLY
>100 Kg
250 Kg
>100 Kg
250 Kg
Read and understand the Instructions for use
Working principle p. 3
Backup device in a rope access system
(EN 12841 A: rope adjustment device for the safety rope) p. 4
Primary belay device in a fall arrest system
(EN 353-2: mobile fall arrester including a flexible safety line) p. 4
1. Choice of harness attachment point for the ASAP p. 5
2. Making the ASAP drop-proof p. 6
3. ASAP usage when approaching an obstacle or the ground p. 7
4. ASAP usage in high winds p. 9
5. ASAP usage on an incline p. 10
6. Details on using the ASAP when it is attached to the harness without an energy absorber (EN 353-2 usage). p. 12
7. ASAP usage on static rope (non CE) p. 14
8. Backup belay for one person with the ASAP on the anchor p. 15
9. Installing a safety line p. 17
10. Rope rescue: accompanied descent p. 19
11. Rope rescue: ASAP performance on a taut rope p. 20
12. Rope rescue: stability of the ASAP's hold on the rope p. 21
Table of contents
Each piece of information is listed according to the
technical level required for its application. Respect
your own level when choosing your techniques.
Beginner technique
Technique usable by a trained practitioner of
the activity.
Technique for a certified
practitioner
Technique for a person trained and certified
in the activity.
Expert technique
Technique only for experts in the activity.
user
climber
victim
rappel
victim + rescuer
fall
user-mass
hand
anchor
mass
small mass
harness

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP EXPERIENCE
3
ASAP B71
ASAP B71 AAA
ASAP LOCK B71 ALU
UP
UP
UP
UP
ASAP B71
ASAP B71 AAA
ASAP LOCK B71 ALU
UP
UP
UP
UP
ASAP B71
ASAP B71 AAA
ASAP LOCK B71 ALU
UP
UP
UP
UP
ASAP B71
ASAP B71 AAA
ASAP LOCK B71 ALU
UP
UP
UP
UP
Read and understand the Instructions for use
Working principle
The ASAP is a mobile fall arrester on rope, it moves along the rope without manual operation.
At moderate speeds, the locking wheel turns freely in both directions.
A rapid downward movement accelerates the rotation of the locking wheel clockwise. The centrifugal force activates the weights
inside the device, blocking rotation of the locking wheel. The arm then pivots on its axle and the rope is jammed by pinching
between the locking wheel and the body of the device.
To unlock the device, it must be pushed upward. During this movement, keep the locking wheel pressed against the rope, so that
it turns counter-clockwise and unlocks the weights. The ASAP returns to its primary working mode, with the locking wheel turning
freely in both directions.
Warning, the ASAP is a directional device and locks in only one direction.
Danger of death if the ASAP is positioned upside down on the rope: verify the proper locking direction at each installation.
Moderate speed Great speed

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP EXPERIENCE
4
EN 12841 A
EN 353-2
22 kN
Read and understand the Instructions for use
Backup device in a rope access system
(EN 12841 A: rope adjustment device for the safety rope)
In a rope access system, the worker moves along a work rope.
The ASAP is installed on a safety rope and connected to the A (fall arrest) attachment point of the harness. Its role is to arrest the
fall in case the primary belay or positioning system fails.
Under the EN12841 standard, the ASAP certification was conducted using only EN1891 typeA semi-static kernmantle ropes.
The rope diameter that is compatible with each ASAP model is specified in the Instructions for Use for the device.
The use of other ropes has not been tested, and thus falls under the responsibility of the user.
Primary belay device in a fall arrest system
(EN 353-2: mobile fall arrester including a flexible safety line)
In a fall arrest system, the worker moves about on the structure.
The ASAP is installed on a safety rope and connected to the A (fall arrest) attachment point of the harness. Its role is to arrest the
fall, it should not be used for work positioning.
According to the EN353-2 standard, the fall arrest system consists of an ASAP and a specific rope.
The Instructions for Use for your ASAP specifies the ropes used in the certification tests for your device. Only these ropes are
compatible for use under the EN353-2 standard.

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP EXPERIENCE
5
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
FOR
BEGINNER
Read and understand the Instructions for use
1. Choice of harness attachment point for the ASAP
Example of a harness having an A (fall arrest) point:
The choice of harness attachment point influences:
- Work comfort (ASAP and absorber in front or behind the worker)
- Worker autonomy (can the worker install the ASAP himself, or not)
- The post-fall suspension position, especially in case of unconsciousness
Ventral (seat harness without fall arrest point)
The ventral attachment point is not an A (fall arrest) point
Risk of inversion if the victim is wearing a pack, or has a heavy object
attached to the harness
Sternal
Position is more ergonomic when suspended
Rescuer can easily manage the victim's position
The ASAP can take up space in front of the user during work
Dorsal
Clear work space
Uncomfortable position when suspended: abdomen and airway
squeezed if the person is unconscious
Difficult for rescuer to manage the victim's position
AVAO NEWTON
Ventral
Sternal Sternal
Dorsal Dorsal

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP EXPERIENCE
6
NOT FOR
BEGINNER
ASAP B71
ASAP B71 AAA
ASAP LOCK B71 ALU
ASAP B71
ASAP B71 AAA
ASAP LOCK B71 ALU
11 cm
MAXI
11 cm
MAXI
11 cm
MAXI
Read and understand the Instructions for use
In certain work situations, it is necessary to secure all tools and equipment to prevent them from being dropped.
It is possible to attach the ASAP to the OKTRIACT carabiner, using a keeper cord. Warning: using a keeper cord
makes handling the device more difficult, while increasing potential hazards and possibilities of misuse.
Installing the keeper cord
Tie one end of the keeper cord to the lower hole of the ASAP (identified as n°7 in the “Nomenclature” section of
the Instructions for use). The knot of the keeper cord must be tied as close as possible to the device to keep the
size of the loop to a minimum.
Make a loop at the other end of the cord and connect it to the OKTRIACT carabiner. The loop must be tightened
on the carabiner frame so that it stays in place close to the ASAP attachment holes.
The cord must be short: once in place, it should be no longer than 11cm. An elastic cord may be used to make
handling easier, provided it is no longer than 11 cm when unstretched.
When attaching the ASAP to the rope, run the keeper cord along the backside of the device (the side opposite the
toothed wheel). Once the OKTRIACT carabiner is connected to the ASAP, the keeper cord must not be able to
reach the toothed wheel.
WARNING, DANGER:
- If the keeper cord is longer than 11cm when tied to the device
- If the keeper cord is on the wheel side of the ASAP, there’s a risk that the
keeper cord may get jammed in the toothed wheel, causing the ASAP to
malfunction
WARNING, when using the ASAP, the OKTRIACT carabiner must be
clipped through the 2attachment holes and the rope must run inside the
carabiner, IF NOT, DANGER OF DEATH.
2. Ways to make the ASAP drop-proof
In certain work situations, it is necessary to secure all tools and equipment to prevent them from being dropped.
The ASAP B71 AAA can not be drop-proofed.
The ASAP LOCK can be used without detaching it from the harness, so it is always drop-proof.
The ASAP B71 has a hole for attaching a keeper cord.

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP EXPERIENCE
7
FOR
BEGINNER
100 Kg
E ?
2,30m
+E
Clearance
Tirant d’air
+E
2,40m
+E
ASAP’SORBER 20
E ? E ?
E ? E ? E ?
ASAP’SORBER 40 ABSORBICA L57
2,80m
+E
1,45m
+E
1,60m
+E
1,50m
+E
100 Kg
E ?
E ?
Without Absorber
Sans Absorbeur
1 m
1,30m
+E
E ?
E ?
ASAP’SORBER 20 on anchor
ASAP’SORBER 20 à l’ancrage
1,45m
+E
1,40m
+E
EN 12841 type A EN 12841 type A / EN 353-2 EN 353-2
Read and understand the Instructions for use
3. ASAP usage when approaching an obstacle or the ground
3.1. Variations in user weight
For an 80kg user, the difference in clearance is around 5cm (to be subtracted from the value given for 100kg).
For a 140kg user, the difference in clearance is around 15cm (to be added to the value given for 100kg).
Warning: the weight of the user is always understood to include the weight of his equipment.
3.2. Do not neglect the rope stretch (E)
Rope stretch adds a variable to the clearance, which depends on the distance from the anchor.
Only the user can evaluate the stretch, depending on the situation and his equipment.
The elongation under static load value is covered by the EN1891standard: it must be less than 5%.
Even so, the elongation during a fall is not precise, and varies between rope models.
For example, if we propose a dynamic elongation value of 10%:
- At 10m from the anchor, 1m must be added
- At 50m from the anchor, 5m must be added, the effective clearance is then 9m. In this case, it is recommended to plan for an
intermediate anchor in the rope above, when possible, to limit the elongation
The clearance is the minimum amount of clear space under the ASAP that is required to prevent the user from hitting the ground
in case of a fall.

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP EXPERIENCE
8
FOR
BEGINNER
1.
2.
?
1.
2.
?
1.
2.
?
Read and understand the Instructions for use
3. ASAP usage when approaching an obstacle or the ground
3.3. Deliberately locking the ASAP in a high position
At the work station, the ASAP will naturally slide down the rope to a point below the fall arrest attachment point.
Use the ASAP LOCK's locking function if you are operating close to the ground or an obstacle, to optimize clearance.
The ASAP B71 and ASAP B71 AAA models have no locking function. It is possible to deliberately lock them by a quick downward
pull, to keep them in a higher position. Apart from cases where user safety is at stake, this deliberate locking is not recommended,
as repeated deliberate impacts can accelerate wear of the ASAP, and a simple involuntary movement can unlock it without the
user's knowledge.
3.4. Monitor the rope tension
Close to the ground, with little rope weight, it is important to make sure the rope is properly sliding through the ASAP, to avoid
creating a loop of slack that can increase the potential fall distance.
3.5. Examples of solutions to optimize the ASAP's position during progression
ASAP over the shoulder or arm ASAP positioned by velcro on the
AVAO harness

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP EXPERIENCE
9
NOT FOR
BEGINNER
Read and understand the Instructions for use
4. ASAP usage in high winds
In normal work configuration, the rope slides through the ASAP when it is not locked. If the rope is pulled upward, for example by
the wind, a loop of slack can be created, increasing the worker's potential fall height.
Use the locking function of your ASAP LOCK to limit rope travel through the device. This function does not impede the upward
progress of the user.
The ASAP B71 and ASAP B71 AAA models have no locking function. With these models, in case of high winds, a co-worker can
hold the rope, otherwise a suitable weight on the end of the rope can be a solution (the weight must not take out all of the rope
stretch).
Anchoring the bottom end of the rope may also be considered, with the likely consequence of complicating a possible rescue.
A specific risk analysis of the situation must be done.

PRODUCT EXPERIENCE - ASAP B71-PE-05B (060114)
ASAP EXPERIENCE
10
NOT FOR
BEGINNER
30°
3m
30°
5m
30°
3m
30°
5m
30°
3m
30°
5m
Read and understand the Instructions for use
5. ASAP usage on an incline
For moving about on an incline, the ASAP offers the advantage of freely following the user, in both directions of movement.
In case of a fall on a low-angle roof or rough surface, the user's sliding speed can be quite low. In this case, the ASAP does not
recognize a fall, and it can follow the user without locking.
This is normal operation.
When the user's sliding speed increases, the device normally locks to stop the fall.
Some tests were conducted on a 30° incline.
The average displacement of the ASAP, before locking, was
measured for two different sliding surfaces.
On a rough surface, at low sliding speed, the average
displacement before locking is 5m.
On a smooth surface, at medium sliding speed, the average
displacement before locking is 3m.
These values are given for information only, and the results will
vary depending on the surface, the slope, the user's position
before the fall or the condition of the rope.