CONTERRA Delta Vee Climbing or Rescue Tool Instructions

: June 13, 2024
: CONTERRA

CONTERRA Delta Vee Climbing or Rescue Tool

Product Information

The Delta Vee TM is a climbing and rescue tool designed for multi-function use. It is suitable for climbing, guiding, and rescue operations. The tool weighs 95 grams and is compatible with ropes that have a diameter ranging from 8.8mm to 11mm. The name “Delta” represents change, while “Vee” represents velocity. The tool’s purpose is to facilitate a change in velocity.

Product Usage Instructions

Basic Belay: Always ensure that you clip the device to your harness using a locking carabiner, following the instructions provided by your harness manufacturer.
During use, make sure that your hair, loose clothing, and brake hand do not get caught in the device.
Never release your braking hand from the rope, unless the device is locked off or otherwise secured.
When rappelling or lowering, avoid excessive speed to prevent overheating of the device and potential damage to the rope or harness. Maintain a speed of less than 10m per minute.
If using the device in Guide Mode with two seconding climbers, always grip the braking side of both ropes simultaneously. This ensures the proper functioning of the device in case one of the climbers hangs on the rope.
Take into consideration that new dry treated ropes and smaller diameter ropes may feed through the device faster, making it more challenging to control during belaying or rappelling.
If you are using soft or worn ropes with loose sheaths, be aware that sheath bunching can occur, potentially causing the rope to jam in the device.
Always plan and prepare for rescue situations to ensure safety in case of emergencies.
Guide Belay: This technique requires advanced climbing skills and should only be attempted under professional instruction and in controlled environments. Ensure there is no slack between the climber and the device. Follow the instructions provided on the next page for proper setup.

Care and Maintenance

To maintain the functionality and longevity of the Delta Vee TM, follow these care and maintenance guidelines:

Avoid contact with corrosive materials such as battery acid, solvents, chlorine bleach, antifreeze, alcohol, or gasoline.
If the device comes into contact with saltwater or salt air, rinse it thoroughly and store it in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Limited Warranty

The Delta Vee TM is covered by a limited warranty for one year from the date of purchase, guaranteeing it to be free from defects in material and workmanship. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, improper use or maintenance, modifications, alterations, or any other damages caused by misuse.

KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS:
Refer to these instructions before and after each use. Read and understand warning below before first use. Retain a copy for your permanent records. Retain a second copy to keep with the device. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, contact us at 1600 Kentucky Street, suite A-3

Bellingham, WA 98229 • USA
P: 360.734.2311
F: 360.738.2241
E: info@conterra-inc.com
W: www.conterra-inc.com

PLEASE READ!
Climbing, caving, rescue, rope access, and other activities involving the use of this device are inherently dangerous. You are responsible for your own actions and decisions. Even when this device is properly used, loss, injury or death could occur. By using this device you agree to hold harmless Con-terra Inc, its owners, employees, or agents. If you do not agree to the above, do not use the device. Return the device for a full refund. If you agree to the above, and decide to use the device, before use you must:

Read and understand all instructions
Get specific professional hands on training in its proper use.
Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations
Understand the inherent risks involved with the use of this device.
FAILURE TO HEED OR UNDERSTAND ANY OF THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH

WARNINGS

Always clip this device in to your harness with a locking carabiner. Be sure that you attach the carabiner and device according to your harness manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure hair, loose clothing and your brake hand do not get caught in the device during use.
Never take your braking hand off the rope or ropes, unless the devices is locked off or otherwise made secure.
Fast rappelling or lowering can cause any device to become hot and possibly damage the rope sheath or your harness, as well as burn you. We recommend a speed of less than 10m per minute.
If belaying two seconding climbers in Guide Mode, always grip the braking side of both ropes at all times. If one of the two seconds hangs on the rope, it is possible that the locking function of the device may not work on the other second’s rope.
New dry treated ropes and smaller diameter ropes feed through belay/rappel devices faster, which can be more difficult to control when belaying or rappelling.
If you are using soft/ worn ropes or ropes with loose sheaths, under-stand that sheath bunching can occur. This can cause the rope to jam in the device.
Always consider how best to carry out a rescue in case you or others are in trouble. (See next page).

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

The ∆V(Delta Vee) must not come into contact with corrosive materials such as battery acid, battery fumes, solvents, chlorine bleach, antifreeze, alcohol or gasoline.
After contact with saltwater or salt air, always rinse, and store dry.
Store this device in a cool, dry, dark place.

LIFESPAN, INSPECTION AND RETIREMENT

The lifespan of this device depends upon how often you use it and on the conditions of its use. With proper care the lifespan of this device is five to ten years. With frequent use and proper care the lifespan of a metal product is two to five years. The shelf life of this device is indefinite.

Inspect your gear for signs of damage and wear before and after each use.
Damaged gear must be retired and destroyed to prevent future use.
Things that reduce the lifespan of the ∆V: Falls, abrasion, wear, saltwater/air or harsh environments.
If there is wear or gouging deeper than about 1mm, retire the device.
If corrosion forms, retire the device.
If any deformation (bends) or cracks are noticed, retire the device.
If any sharp spots form, retire the device.
If you have any doubts about the dependability of your gear, retire it.
Do not loan this device to others, or use it if you obtained it second hand.

LIMITED WARRANTY

The original retail buyer is guaranteed that the ∆V(Delta Vee) is free from defects in material and workmanship as originally sold, for one year follow- ing purchase unless otherwise indicated by law. If you receive a defective product, return it to us and we will replace it subject to the following condi-tions: We do not warrant products which show normal wear and tear or that have been used or maintained improperly, modified or altered, or damaged in any manner.

Basic belay

Guide Belay

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Guide Belay Release

It is best practice to have an extension from the anchor to the ∆V for guide belay.
Prepare for lower by adding two carabiners to anchor.
Add an Italian hitch with the non loaded rope.
Tie off Italian hitch as shown in #4. Clip a carabiner to the center keyhole shaped rigging hole in ∆V. Make a sling that goes through one anchor carabiner, and back to your harness.
Weight the harness sling, untie the hitch lock off, and lower the client.

CONTERRA-Delta-Vee-Climbing-or-Rescue-Tool-fig-4

Tying off the ∆V

Basic Rappel

(Single or double line)

Less friction- In feed line on round side.
More friction- In feed line on “V” side.

Rigging plate

CONTERRA-Delta-Vee-Climbing-or-Rescue-Tool-fig-8

Improvised rescue lower

WARNING: Improvised rescue lower is an advanced technique, and should not be attempted without profession- al instruction, and practice in a controlled environment. (For more in depth information on this technique, refer to the “Technical Rescue Riggers Guide” 4th ed by Rick Lipke)

∆V Performance Data

Performance data and comparisons between the ∆V and other popular devices, utilizing various brands and styles of rope. Tests were performed at our in house Conterra test facility.

CONTERRA-Delta-Vee-Climbing-or-Rescue-Tool-fig-10

Extended Rappel

Extend your ∆V up to roughly chin level.
Use a Prusik attached to rappel point of your harness as a back up / auto stop.
Size Prusik and extension so that the Prusik cannot reach the ∆V.
It is recommended that an extension and backup Prusik should be used for any rappel during mountaineering, or a rescue operation.

Improvised Lower Rescue system

CONTERRA-Delta-Vee-Climbing-or-Rescue-Tool-fig-12

Improvised rescue system points

All carabiners should open DOWN and away from obstacles. Micro oscillations caused by a tensioned main line running over objects can vibrate screw gates open.
Use High Directional Anchors (HDA) when ever possible.
Rig so that there is a minimum of 3m of rope in service (rope between the lowering device and the patient /rescue package (ideally 5m).
DCD extension should be about 60 cm long, and have a breaking strength of ≥ 20kN
During lowering operations, make sure that the tailer feeds the ropes HAND OVER HAND, GRIP to GRIP, and not simply sliding the rope through hands.
Rope tail(s) must be secured to an object, “closing the Loop”, so that they cannot run free through the system.
The Delta-Vee causes an 11mm nylon or polyester static rope to break at about 17 kN, and a 9mm nylon or polyester static rope to break at about 12 kN. This is important because it directly relates to margins of safety. More information is available in the “Techni-cal Rescue Riggers Guide” 4th ed by Rick Lipke)