LEVR™ Escape System Evaluation

By CMC
4/22/20

In this video, Alan Baker, CMC Instructor, gives a brief demonstration of how to operate and evaluate the CMC LEVR Escape System. The following is a transcript with photos of key steps in the process.

Today we’re going to go over how to perform a proper and safe evaluation of the LEVR™ Escape System. When demonstrating the system, we want to make sure the individual gets a good idea of its use while maintaining as much safety as possible.

 

 

Here are a few key items that you will need when evaluating the LEVR Escape System:

 

 

  • Class II or Class III harness
  • Window with a sill about 16’ off the ground
  • Technical rescue helmet
  • Crash pad
  • Belay system with a change of direction outside of the window

 

 

Before we rappel out of a structure, we want to test the horizontal functionality of the LEVR Escape System. We want to gain experience and a comfort level with the device.

 

 

 

One hand needs to tail the webbing and the other hand operates the device. Apply weight to the device by moving away from the anchor. At the same time, gradually pull the LEVR towards your body, paying-out the web.

 

 

 

Once we gain a comfort level, then we’re ready to rig it for vertical. For the purposes of this evaluation, we suggest using a simple remote anchor. To perform a remote anchoring with the LEVR Escape System, first you want to pull enough web through the LEVR device to pass the Flash.2 around the remote anchor. Once the Flash.2 is around the remote anchor, the next step is tying a girth hitch by taking a bite of web up through the slot in the Flash.2 and passing it over the hook. This creates that girth hitch and fixes the web in place around the anchor.

 

Next you want to transition horizontally across the room to the window that you’re going to bail out. For this evaluation of the LEVR, you actually want to pre-measure the device so that it’s just outside where it’s clear of the windowsill. The device itself is specifically designed so that if it’s left inside the windowsill, it will easily transition and clear it, but for this evaluation, we want to pre-measure it so it’s just outside.

 

 

 

Confirm that my belay is ready and roll out of the window.

 

 

 

 

 

Once you’re out of the window, one hand will control the LEVR, the other hand will be in control of the fire escape web. To lower yourself, just easily pull the LEVR towards your body, and ease yourself down.

 

 

 

Once you practice that a few times, then you can create more challenging scenarios with the LEVR. Refer to your LEVR Escape System Demonstration Unit Instruction Card for more information.

 

Thanks for reading, let us know if you have any questions by emailing askaninstructor@cmcpro.com or visit our LEVR demo page to learn more about testing and evaluating this escape system.