Your cart is empty.
Your cart is empty.The Scarab FR Ultra versatile general rescue tool. Machined from solid 303 stainless plate. Works with 9mm to 13 mm rope. Weight: 385g (13.8 oz) meets NFPA 1983 (06 ED) “G” (general use) This device will absolutely change the way you perform rope rescue. The Scarab represents five years of research and testing by Rick Lipke and the design team at Conterra. It was born out of the need for a small, simple device that could easily control heavy rescue loads, as well as excel at pick offs, twin rope systems and other general rescue techniques. The Scarab does all this and more. With two models available (Scarab TI not discussed here), the Scarab is the perfect choice for both Fire/Rescue and back country rescue environments. The Scarab has endured over five years of drop and slow pull testing as well as undergoing extensive heat and wear studies utilizing Conterra’s Capstan Test Bed. -The frame and crossbar’s strength is greater than 40kN. In real world tests with Nylon rescue ropes, the ropes fail at the nose of the Scarab at about their knotted strength (just like most other descent control devices). When pulling a 12.7mm rescue rope on a tied off Scarab, the rope breaks at about 27kN, which easily exceeds the 22kN strength rating that NFPA calls out for to rate class “G” for descent control devices. In addition to a battery of slow pull and drop tests, the Scarab has undergone extensive heat and wear studies. One device was tested by pulling over a mile of dirty rope through it under rescue sized tension, with temperature reading thermocouples being monitored at several locations during pulls. At 2kN of tension, and a lowering speed of 10M per minute, the Scarab maintained a frame temperature at about 100 degrees C. To our knowledge, the Scarab is the only descent control device to have been tested to this degree.
Thomas S.
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023
This is a great product, we are on our local search and rescue and this is a great item to have.
Jeff Norris
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2023
It takes some getting used to this lowering device. Read the instructions, then watch the videos, then before you use it have someone who really has used the device go over proper operation and safety considerations. Then after a couple times on rope you’ll find the Scarab to be easy to use. It doesn’t have quite the variability of friction that a bar rack does but for nearly all lowering tasks it’s very acceptable. The tie off and untie can be done very smoothly.
Jonathan Davis
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
This scarab is some amazing engineering. I only wish I got it last year when it was only $200. The rope in the picture is 8mm prusik cord. Fast shipping!
Vladimir Sigarev
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2022
Solid.
Eddie Howard
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2020
I studied the Scarab intensely before purchase and found fellow Firefighters and Rescuers were amazed at their positive and enthusiastic reviews. I bought the Contreras Scarab and first tried the device out. My first repel was impressive and each repel afterwards were even more enjoyable. The device became second nature and easy to employ even with a double rope repel. The construction is incredible and durable. The design is unique. It was tested with a mile of rope pulled through the device and the temperature of the device was less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Customer
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2019
This is a great product, it is easy to use and is very versatile. From anchor based lowering to rappelling and litter attending this is the device if you can only carry one. I have been using it now for a few months as a rope rescue technician and rope access work in construction and I am very impressed. It's easier to use then a brake bar rack and unlike a figure right it doesn't impart any twist into the rope system. Adding and removing friction is fast and easy and I have used the scarab on ropes from 3/8" to 5/8" with no problems at all. This device is also unaffected by dirt, sand, and water, unlike many other popular pieces like the petzl id. I feel that the variety of rope that it will accept, and the ease of use make this a great option for back country rescue or any activity requiring no fail gear where different conditions are encountered. It has a permanent place in my cache for sure.
tex
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2019
Great descender! I only had one chance to try it, but got in love with this device from the first touch. On short pitches I prefer to use my gri-gris instead, but on relatively long descents this guy will be much better. It's not so bulky as any of racks and works fine with heavy loads.
kensie
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2018
This is a great device. I’ve used it for years on a Search and Rescue Team. I finally decided to used it for canyoneering. Works well even for small diameter ropes. Only drawbacks are the price and weight. I think the durability and abrasion resistance of the Scarab compared to aluminum devices justifies the price.
Recommended Products
