PETZL D0032000B Pirana Guide Instruction Manual

PETZL D0032000B Pirana Guide

Product Information

The PIRANA GUIDE is a descender designed for canyoning. It meets the requirements of EN 15151-2 type 3, with the exception of the intentionally smaller attachment hole for better carabiner positioning. The descender is made of aluminum and stainless steel materials.

Nomenclature

• (1) Attachment hole
• (2) Rope-path hole
• (3) Extra-friction spur
• (4) Blocking slot
• (5) Tie-off spur
• (6) Carabiner-positioning piece
• (7) Blocking-slot gate

Compatibility

Before using the PIRANA GUIDE, verify that it is compatible with the other elements of your system. The descender is designed to be used with VERTIGO and ATTACHE carabiners. If you plan to use a different connector, perform a compatibility test to ensure correct fit and proper functionality with the descender. The PIRANA GUIDE is compatible with 8 – 13 mm kernmantle ropes.

Product Usage Instructions

Installation on the harness

1. Pass the carabiner nose through the PIRANA GUIDE’s attachment hole.
2. Attach the assembly to the harness, ensuring that the carabiner locking sleeve faces towards you and the extra-friction spur is on your right.

Installing the rope

Follow the rope installation instructions provided by the manufacturer of your rope.

Descent

When descending, gradually let the rope slide while always holding the brake side of the rope. Set up all rappels as releasable. The effectiveness of braking depends on factors such as the rope’s diameter, slipperiness, humidity, and environmental conditions.

Adding friction during the descent

To add friction during the descent, run the rope over the extra-friction spur.

Stopping during the descent

1. To stop briefly during descent, run the rope around the extra-friction spur.
2. Then, pass the rope through the blocking slot. The blocking-slot gate can be pushed with the rope without the need for manual handling
3. The rope can be passed through the blocking slot from front to back or from back to front.
4. WARNING: Running the rope directly through the blocking slot may result in a loss of control when unblocking. Always hold the brake side of the rope when using this technique.

Hands-free tie-off

1. To be able to let go of the rope, tie off the device by passing a loop of rope through the carabiner and blocking it on the tie-off spur.
2. When undoing the tie-off, firmly grip the brake side of the rope for safety.

Exceptional extra friction

Single-person load: If you find that the friction level is inadequate while rappelling, you can improve descent control by running the rope around the extra-friction spur and then over the blocking-slot gate.

Two-person load (rescue): For a very high level of friction, run the rope behind the carabiner and around the tie-off spur.

WARNING

• Activities involving the use of this equipment are inherently dangerous.
• You are responsible for your own actions and decisions.
• Before using this equipment, you must:
• Read and understand all Instructions for Use.
• Get specific training in its proper use.
• Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
• Understand and accept the risks involved.
• FAILURE TO HEED ANY OF THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

PETZL.COM

Field of application

Descender for canyoning. Meets the requirements of EN 15151-2 type 3, except for the attachment hole, which is intentionally smaller than the 13 mm requirement, for better carabiner positioning. This product must not be pushed beyond its limits, nor be used for any purpose other than that for which it is designed.
Responsibility
WARNING

• Activities involving the use of this equipment are inherently dangerous.
• You are responsible for your own actions, decisions and safety.
• Before using this equipment, you must:
• Read and understand all Instructions for Use.
• Get specific training in its proper use.
• Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
• Understand and accept the risks involved.

Failure to heed any of these warnings may result in severe injury or death.

• This product must only be used by competent and responsible persons, or those placed under the direct and visual control of a competent and responsible person.
• You are responsible for your actions, your decisions and your safety and you assume the consequences of same. If you are not able, or not in a position to assume this responsibility, or if you do not fully understand the Instructions for Use, do not use this equipment.

Nomenclature

1. Attachment hole,
2. Rope-path hole,
3. Extra-friction spur,
4. Blocking slot,
5. Tie-off spur,
6. Carabiner-positioning piece,
7. Blocking-slot gate. Principal materials: aluminum, stainless steel.

Inspection, points to verify

Your safety depends upon the integrity of your equipment. Petzl recommends a detailed inspection at least once every 12 months. WARNING: your intensity of use may cause you to inspect your PPE more frequently. Follow the procedures described at Petzl.com. Record the results on your PPE inspection form.

Before each use

• Verify the absence of any cracks, deformation, marks, wear or corrosion on the descender.
• Check the condition of the positioning piece and that the carabiner is properly held in position.
• Check the condition of the blocking-slot gate, verify that it moves in both directions and that it completely closes the blocking slot.

During use
It is important to regularly monitor the condition of the product and its connections to the other equipment in the system. Make sure that all items of equipment are correctly positioned with respect to each other.

Compatibility

• Verify that this product is compatible with the other elements of the system in your application (compatible = good functional interaction).
• The PIRANA GUIDE was designed to be used with VERTIGO and ATTACHE carabiners. If using any other connector, do a compatibility test (check for correct fit in the attachment hole and verify that it works properly with the descender).
• The PIRANA GUIDE works on 8 – 13 mm kernmantle ropes.

Installation on the harness

Pass the carabiner nose through the PIRANA GUIDE’s attachment hole, then attach the assembly to the harness so that the carabiner locking sleeve faces toward you and the extrafriction spur is on your right.

Installing the rope

• 6a. Pass a bight of rope through the rope-path hole.
• 6b. Clip the rope into the carabiner.
• 6c. Choose the initial friction position. Always do your first rappel with the rope running under the two spurs. If less friction is needed on subsequent rappels, run the rope over one or both spurs.
• WARNING: it is not possible to change this rope position during the descent.
• 6d. Never use the PIRANA GUIDE in HUIT mode: there is a risk of the rope forming a girth hitch, which would block the descent (dangerous on wet rappels). The rope must always pass through the PIRANA GUIDE’s carabiner.

Descent

• Gradually let the rope slide; always hold the brake side of the rope.
• All rappels should be set up as releasable.
• Braking effectiveness depends on the rope’s diameter and slipperiness, humidity and other factors (rain, temperature…).
• Thin ropes require special precautions during use because they are harder to grip. They can make it more difficult to control the descent.

Adding friction during the descent
To add friction during the descent, run the rope over the extra-friction spur.

Stopping during the descent

• To stop briefly on descent, first run the rope around the extra-friction spur, then through the blocking slot.
• The blocking-slot gate can be pushed with the rope: there is no need to handle it.
• The rope can be passed through the blocking slot from front to back, or from back to front.

WARNING: if you run the rope directly through the blocking slot, there is a risk of losing control when unblocking.
WARNING: you must always hold the brake side of the rope when using this technique.

Hands-free tie-off
To be able to let go of the rope, tie off the device: pass a loop of rope through the carabiner and block it on the tie-off spur.
Undoing the tie-off
While undoing the tie-off, take care to firmly grip the brake side of the rope.

Exceptional extra friction
Single-person load: if your friction level proves to be inadequate while rappelling, it is possible to improve descent control. Run the rope around the extra-friction spur, then over the blocking-slot gate. Two-person load (rescue): for a very high level of friction, run the rope behind the carabiner and around the tie-off spur.

Releasable rappel

To set up a releasable rappel with the PIRANA GUIDE blocked on the anchor, choose an appropriate friction position and do the hands-free tie-off. To release the rappel, undo the tie-off and control the lower using the same methods of adding friction that are used for rappelling. Only the VERTIGO carabiner is recommended for this use because it stays in position better. With any other carabiner, there is a risk of it rotating while lowering in the minimum friction position, which can negate the braking effect.

Storing the PIRANA GUIDE on the harness
When the PIRANA GUIDE is stored on the harness, beware of the PIRANA GUIDE accidentally snagging on a rope, lanyard or sling.

Additional information

When to retire your equipment
WARNING: an exceptional event can lead you to retire a product after only one use, depending on the type and intensity of usage and the environment of usage (harsh environments, marine environments, sharp edges, extreme temperatures, chemicals…).

• A product must be retired when:
  • It has exceeded its lifespan.
  • It has been subjected to a major fall or load.
  • It fails to pass inspection. You have any doubt as to its reliability.
  • You do not know its full usage history.
  • When it becomes obsolete due to changes in legislation, standards, technique or incompatibility with other equipment…
• Destroy these products to prevent further use. Icons:
• A. Unlimited lifespan – B. Marking – C. Acceptable temperatures – D. Usage precautions – E. Cleaning – F. Drying – G. Storage/transport – H. Maintenance – I. Modifications/repairs (prohibited outside of Petzl facilities, except replacement parts) – J.
• Questions/contact

Guarantee

3-year guarantee
Against any material or manufacturing defect. Exclusions: normal wear and tear, oxidation, modifications or alterations, incorrect storage, poor maintenance, negligence, uses for which this product is not designed.

Warning symbols

1. Situation presenting an imminent risk of serious injury or death.
2. Exposure to a potential risk of accident or injury.
3. Important information on the functioning or performance of your product.
4. Equipment incompatibility.

Traceability and markings

• Model identification
• Traceability: datamatrix
• Serial number
• Year of manufacture
• Month of manufacture
• Batch number
• Individual identifier
• Rope path
• Diameter
• Read the Instructions for Use carefully

petzl.com.

References

• Petzl.com

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