Scarab DCD

[schase1967]

Wondering if anyone is using the Scarab in place of a rescue rack?
What are your opinions? Easier to use? Less like to be used improperly?

I'll take any feedback


Steve

[servantleader]

It's woooooooooooooooooooondeful!! Way easier than a rack. All actions are easier: loading the rope, adding and subtracting friction, controlling the load, locking off, and de-rigging it during a change-over. It's also more compact that the rack and is much less likely to be rigged improperly. We love it.

Try it. You'll like it.

[bottrigg]

I agree with servant. Even better than my micro rack. We used it in a rigging for rescue course and it was great.

[xchief23]

I've had a chance to work with the Scarab at several different classes. I envision Scarabs in my next equipment purchase, and a lot less racks in my future.

[FiremanLyman]

So got my hands on the Scarab FR today. Like most firemen "Change" is a four letter word to me, but I was presently surprised.

Used it in place of a 8.5" mini rack. It was a little heavier than the rack, but 2 &3/4" shorter, so when worn on our SRT rig it wasn't long enough to knock you in the sac.

Had to find directions online (http://www.scarabrescue.com/4.html -it has a few pages) as it is on loan out of an Austin firefighter's personal cashe. Word of warning; when I was playing with it during shift change I was loading it wrong, glad I read the directions because it doesn't wrap the horns in the manner I thought it would.

I used it for simple rappel, then ascended, changed over to it and so fourth on 11mm rope. Worked great, no fireworks and unicorns or anything, but a solid tool. Only complaint was it was difficult to wrap all four horns when it was close in next to my Croll, I am thinking that with more experience with it I would overcome the complications quickly.

As a man made of 225# of Twisted Steel and Sex Appeal (heavy on the sarcasm) I needed the friction of two horns on 11mm rope to have an unexciting decent... one horn was a bit fun, took me back to Army days with the speed I was moving. A 12.5mm rope would have probably worked better with one horn for me.

Likes:
-solid stainless steel for confidence factor.
-quick to load.
-easy to add/subtract friction, easy to lock off.
-shorter (5 &3/4" compared to the 8" mini rack)

Dislikes:
-horns made it hard to work with when tight up against the Croll during changeover.

I don't think I am ready to advocate for a change to the Scarab. I would have no problems using it instead of a rack, but could take it or leave it. I will try to get some time on it as a DCD for use in lowering operations in place of a rack, but it is hot today and getting volunteers to do a two person load would be hard.

[MichaelXYZ]

When I attended the Firehouse convention here in San Diego, I spoke with one of the sales reps about the Scarab. He recommended that the scarab was not really meant for rescue work. I can't remember his reasons though. The titanium version was a lot lighter but double the price.

[stickboy42]

MichaelXYZ,

If I were Conterra I don't think I'd be please with that reps' sales pitch. The SCARAB is designed to be a rescue tool as its primary purpose, hence the name SCARAB Rescue Tool. Here's the description from Conterra's website:

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, the SCARAB® is the perfect choice for both Fire/Rescue and back country rescue environments:

[MichaelXYZ]

The guy was a vendor for many product lines, perhaps the Scarab was not one of his big sellers. At any rate, I am just passing on what I was told.

[MichaelXYZ]

Just to clarify a bit, I think the guy was referring to using in a raise/lower system, than say a self belay. Something about setting friction. I have no experience with the device so I don't know. I really hope I did not offend anyone, that was not my intention. I just recalled the little conversation we had and mentioned it. Again, meant no disrespect.

Thanks

[stickboy42]

no offense taken here. i was just trying to point out that the rep probably didn't have the foggiest idea what he was talking about. unfortunately this isn't uncommon and i find it a shame when a representative of a good product represents it without adequate knowledge. i wish reps would steer you to someone who is familiar with a product instead of making something up. conversely there are many fantastic product reps out there that have first hand experience with products or have done what they can to learn everything about the product, the trick is finding those.