Simple and Intuitive 

 

The REVO is a tube-style device with a backup locking mechanism. 

Follow the steps below to understand how to use the REVO and its functionality.

 

With any safety device, we recommend that you fully read the user instruction manual and safety warnings before use. The instructions below highlight the major steps in using the belay device, the full manual can be found here.

---- How To Use The Revo ----

 

 

 

Step 1 - Loading The Revo

 

1 - Open the Revo using the black lever on the side plate.

2 - Feed the rope around the orange wheel in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

3 - Continue the path around the wheel until both ends of the rope come out at the top of the device.

4 - Close the Revo so both plates are aligned. An audible click ensures the Revo is securely closed.

 

 

 

Step 2 - Attaching The REVO To Your Belay Loop

 

**This requires using a locking carabiner 

Standard EN12275 Type H - Locking Or Type B - Locking

 

1 - Pass the locking carabiner through the hole on the bottom of the REVO.

2 - Ensure the carabiner is perpendicular to the side plate and not cross-loaded.

3 - Lock the carabiner with it looped through the harness belay loop.

4 - Ensure the brake end of the rope is facing in the downwards direction.

 

 

 

Step 3 - Pre-Climb Test

Testing The Backup Locking Mechanism

 

1 - Pull aggressively upwards on the climber end of the rope.

2 - This quick motion causes the REVO to block the rope and lock.

3 - Before starting to climb, pull down on the brake end of the rope to unlock the REVO.

 

Step 4 - Giving Slack To The Lead Climber

Use the same technique as with a tube-style belay device

 

1 - Give slack by pulling upwards and away from the body on the climber end of the rope.

2 - Always leave the brake hand on the brake end of the rope and keep it below the belay device. 

 

Scenario 2 - Giving Out Rope Too Fast

 

The REVO locks when rope passes through the device at a velocity greater than 4 meters/second. So a smooth and consistent motion is encouraged.

 

This rate still allows rope to be given out quickly for clipping, making dynamic moves, and climbing fluidly. If slack is given out too quick, at an unnatural rate, the REVO will lock.

 

 

Step 5 - Taking In Slack (Top Rope Belaying)

Use the same technique as with a tube-style belay device

 

1 - The upper hand is used to pull the rope down and keep tension.

2 - Pull the rope through the device with your brake hand and move it away from your body, keeping the brake hand below the device at all times.

3 - Slide your brake hand back up the brake strand to reposition, always keeping control of the rope.

 

Step 6 - Catching A Fall

Use the same technique as with a tube-style belay device

 

The backup locking mechanism was developed as a backup, not an assisted friction belay device. It will only engage if there is excessive slack in the system or the belayer does not block off the rope quickly enough.

 

1 - Pull the brake strand down across your body and against the REVO.

2 - The fall will be caught and tension controlled by the belayer.

 

Scenario 1 - Excessive Slack

 

If there is excessive slack in the system in a fall or the belayer does not block the rope quickly enough, the Revo will lock. This function cannot accidentally be overridden.

 

Step 7 - Releasing A Locked REVO

 

There are two scenarios in which the REVO will need to be unlocked, Tuber up and Tuber down.

 

 

Scenario 1 - Unlocking Tuber Up

1 - Grasp the brake strand with both hands.

2 - Pull the rope directly down against the tuber and the REVO will become unlocked.

 

Scenario 2 - Unlocking Tuber Down

1 - Grasp the brake strand in one hand and the climber strand in the other.

2 - Pull the brake strand through the REVO and away from your body and the REVO will become unlocked.

 

 

Step 8 - Resting

Use the same technique as with a tube-style belay device

 

1 - Take in slack.

2 - Tension the brake strand against the REVO. 

3 - Ensure you keep one or both hands on the brake strand.

4 - Continue to hold the rope until climber is ready.

 

Step 9 - Lowering A Climber

Use the same technique as with a tube-style belay device

 

1 - Keep the rope close to your body with both hands on the brake strand of the rope.

2 -  Feed the rope through the device in a smooth and continuous motion.

----- Technical Explanation -----

In its primary function, the REVO is a tube-style belay device making it easy and intuitive to use with conventional belay technique. The locking mechanism functions as a safety backup. Please do not consider the REVO’s backup as a manually assisted locking function but as an emergency brake.

 

This backup mechanism is based on an inertia wheel. When the wheel reaches a high enough speed, a velocity of 4m/s on the rope, the spring-loaded shoe engages with the tuber ‘jaw’, which rotates and locks into the wheel. This prevents the wheel from rotating and holds the rope in place. By pulling the rope back onto the tuber ‘jaw’ the belayer releases the wheel and returns the device to tube-mode.

Note that even if the tuber ‘jaw’ was prevented from moving freely, the REVO would still lock at 4m/s. Regardless of this additional safety, the belayer should maintain control of the rope at all times.

 

If the REVO does not lock, it is because you are doing your job as a belayer and controlling the rope correctly.

--- Functionality & Standards ---

REVO complies to the European Norm EN 15151-1 and has been developed for rope climbing with an emphasis on gym climbing, sport climbing, and single pitch traditional climbing. The REVO is suitable for all levels of belaying. For beginners, it teaches the best belay technique to actively control the brake end of the rope at all times, while including the added safety of the backup locking mechanism. Experienced climbers can simply pick up the REVO and begin belaying as normal while enjoying the benefit of the backup locking mechanism and the smooth action of giving out and taking in rope without having to learn a new belay technique.

 

 

- Backup Locking Mechanism -