Rescue Reel: Saving Lives One Dangler at a Time

When I first saw this guy using the Rescue Reel, I couldn’t help but think that he was some sort of Daredevil. That, or the photographer used that same effect from the old Batman show where they turn the camera on the side and Adam West and Burt Ward climb up the building without straining their arms and legs.

The Rescue Reel is designed for the user to hook the Rescue Reel in a secure place, put on the harness, and they lower themselves down with automatically controlled centrifugal braking. I would imagine that the experience would be like repelling down a mountain cliff, except it probably won’t be fun if you ever really had to use it.

Still, designer Kevin Stone is clearly on the right track when it comes saving lives from tall buildings. Something tells me that it was designed to combat the horrific images that we still have from the Trade Center Tower attacks. Unless someone designs the next 100 story building with massive fire escapes, history will repeat itself when disaster befalls a skyscraper again.

Of course, this is one device that had better have plenty of line, and designed to hold some overweight people. Also, do you really want to be in an emergency situation where you have to learn how to use it in the next few seconds, or else you will die?

I am guessing that OSHA would be all over these devices if they ever become reality. I would also imagine that Rescue Reels would be located on the walls under red-framed glass, like firehoses or axes.

Yeah, I can see a definite future for the Rescue Reel, and it can give others a future.

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