With the “Sirius” descender, SKYLOTEC presented a solution specifically for use in rope-based work - and has set standards with it since its market launch in 2019. Now the world's leading manufacturer of rescue and evacuation devices has developed “Spark”, a solution based on the “Sirius”. The “Spark” is primarily aimed at experienced users and for this reason does not have an anti-panic function. However, they do not have to do without the advantages of the “Sirius” in terms of ergonomics and user-friendliness.
“The descender ‘Spark’ from SKYLOTEC can be used, for example, for the maintenance of rotor blades on wind turbines.“
For anyone who uses rope-based access in industry, rescue, tree care or maintenance, abseiling devices are standard equipment. With "Milan", SKYLOTEC is already the market leader for centrifugally controlled rescue and evacuation devices, which are used for emergencies at workplaces at high or low level. In this area, the globally active brand has consistently expanded its know-how and manufacturing capacities – and in the process also extended its product range. For use in industrial rope access and rescue, there is now also the “Spark” descender. This is based on the “Sirius” descender, with which SKYLOTEC has set standards since its market launch in 2019. There is one significant difference in its use: “Sirius” as a device has a “double stop function”. It additionally secures the user via a so-called “anti-panic function”, should he ever accidentally override the lever for abseiling. However, advanced users prefer devices without the anti-panic function for certain manoeuvres or for rescues, as they enable smooth, precise and fast abseiling without interruption when handled correctly. SKYLOTEC has responded to this with the “Spark”, which has precisely this function. In addition, it is also equipped with an “auto-lock function” – just like the “Sirius”. This ensures that the rope locks automatically as soon as the user releases the lever of the descender.
Equipped with all the advantages of the "Sirius”
„The ‘Spark’ is equipped without an anti-panic-function which allows, if handled correctly, smooth, precise and fast abseiling without interruption.“
When it comes to user-friendliness, reliability and robustness, “Sirius” scores with many advantages. Well thought-out fine control during the abseiling process, ergonomic details and the robust design all contribute to this. Users do not have to do without these advantages with “Spark” either. The device is compact, which makes it particularly comfortable to hold. In addition, it has an ergonomically designed lever that makes the operation of the device comfortable and safe. This saves time during work because fast and precise movements are possible. An additional advantage is that “Spark” does not have to be removed from the carabiner that connects the device to the work harness in order to insert and remove the rope. This increases safety for the user, because the descender remains attached to the harness at all times and the rope can be inserted intuitively and safely with the carabiner closed. A small eyelet in the lever, on the other hand, makes it possible to operate the descender device with a rope cord in an emergency - and thus also to perform a simultaneous rescue. If a person falls or suffers from a medical problem, a rope can be attached to the person's lever eyelet. The user can then operate both their own and the casualty's descender, thereby safely lowering both people towards the ground.
No twisted rope
„The ‘Spark’ from SKYLOTEC scores with a compact design and a lever that has a small radius of movement.”
Up to now, those who work with descenders have often had to contend with the fact that the working rope gets over-twisted due to the pre-set rope direction and is therefore worn out too much. Like the “Sirius”, the “Spark” makes these problems a thing of the past: The working end of the rope enters the device at the top and exits it at the bottom in a straight line, without being deflected over an edge. In this way, the rope is protected from over-twisting or or torsion.
“Spark” is made entirely of metal. It is therefore very robust and resilient – even in rough working environments and with extensive daily use. It is certified according to EN 12841:2006-C for ropes with a diameter of 10-12 mm, according to EN 341:2011/2A for rope diameters of 11 mm and according to EN 15151-1.