Really basic question:
The Rescue 8--a useful tool for self rescue? Worth carrying aloft everytime?
I just received one and was surprised how large and heavy it is...not sure just what I expected.
Thanks,
Randy

I used to own one at the the start of my climbing career. I gave it away and now I do not even carry one. It is up to you to have one but it depends how high your trees are, how fast you want to descend from the tree, etc. Some people use them others do not even own one. I mostly use split tails to climb DdRT so they work to get me off the tree.
I own a Grigri that I use for SRT climbs but I do not carry it with me every time I go up in the tree. Moss will chime in with more inside from his prespective and experiences.

Thanks.
Well, it's red so I could use it for a Christmas Tree ornament

I used to carry a lightweight F8 as a back up for high SRT climbs in case I dropped my Grigri. Don't carry it anymore. There's always the Muenter Hitch to use instead.

They are more commonly used by arborist climbers who footlock a doubled rope for tree access. The F8 is what gets you back down on that system.

The biggest complaint about them is they put twist into the rope.

You might find some use for it as a light rigging belay when you're taking down a branch that's a little too heavy to handle otherwise.
-moss

Ok. Might return it and get a steel one for rigging light stuff then.
Thanks.

I use mine for SRT and trad. I think it somewhat saves the friction hitch on longer descents while climbing traditionally. I am not sure that it does that much good, but I like to "play" with gear, so I have one.