Safety Direct Self-Rescue Descent Kit | 50–150 ft Controlled Emergency System
Emergency Descent Kit
Under CSA Z259.2.3, every Canadian worksite with fall exposure is required to have a documented rescue plan and the equipment on-site to execute it. A fall-arrested worker hanging in a harness can lose consciousness from suspension trauma within 6 minutes, and permanent injury risk climbs sharply past 20 minutes. Waiting for EMS is not a rescue plan.
The Safety Direct Emergency Descent Kit is a pre-assembled, grab-and-go self-rescue and assisted-rescue system that lets a fallen worker lower themselves to a safe surface, or a coworker lower them from above, in the minutes that actually matter.
Why Your Site Needs a Descent Kit
- CSA Z259.2.3 compliance. The standard requires a pre-planned rescue capability for every worker at risk of fall arrest — not improvised, not "we'll call 911."
- Suspension trauma timeline. Orthostatic intolerance begins within minutes of the arrest. Rescue must be initiated immediately, not after the EMS response clock starts.
- Self-rescue capability. A conscious fallen worker can control their own descent to the ground with this kit, without requiring a second person at height.
- Audit-ready documentation. Having a deployed, inspected descent kit on site is the documented evidence inspectors look for during CNESST, MOL, or provincial OHS visits.
Product Overview
The Emergency Descent Kit is supplied complete in a carry bag, ready to deploy at height. It is a controlled-descent system designed for single-worker self-rescue or for lowering an incapacitated worker from an anchor point above. Length is matched to the fall exposure of the worksite — specify the drop height plus safety margin when selecting the variant.
The kit is intended to be stored at or near the work area where a fall could occur — it is the on-site rescue capability that satisfies the "immediate rescue" requirement in CSA Z259.2.3. After deployment, the descent device provides a controlled lowering rate to prevent impact at ground level.
Key Features
- Pre-assembled system — no field rigging, no guesswork during an incident
- Supplied with carry bag for on-site storage at the work zone
- Controlled descent device regulates lowering speed automatically
- Available in 50 ft, 100 ft, and 150 ft configurations to match site fall exposure
- Dual-use design: self-rescue by a conscious fallen worker, or assisted rescue from above
- Designed to CSA Z259.2.3 rescue-equipment requirements
Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Type | Self-rescue / assisted descent |
| Descent Control | Automatic controlled-rate descent device |
| Length Options | 50 ft, 100 ft, 150 ft |
| Capacity | Single user |
| Supplied With | Carry bag, pre-rigged descent line and device |
| Primary Standard | CSA Z259.2.3 (Descent Control Devices) |
| Country of Origin | Canada (Safety Direct Ltd.) |
Available Configurations & Pricing
| SKU | Length | MSRP (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| RBSR050 | 50 ft Emergency Descent Kit c/w Carry Bag | $1,017.10 |
| RBSR100 | 100 ft Emergency Descent Kit c/w Carry Bag | $1,106.90 |
| RBSR150 | 150 ft Emergency Descent Kit c/w Carry Bag | $1,194.80 |
CSA Compliance
This product is certified to and intended to satisfy:
- CSA Z259.2.3 — Descent Control Devices (primary standard for rescue descent equipment in Canada)
- CSA Z259.12 — Connecting components (carabiners and snap hooks supplied with the kit)
Use this product as a component of a broader site rescue program that satisfies the documented rescue plan requirement in CSA Z259.2.3. Always verify the specific CSA standards cited in your provincial OHS regulations.
What Else You Need for a Complete Rescue Program
A descent kit is one piece of your documented rescue plan. A compliant program also requires:
- CSA Z259.10 full-body harness — with suspension trauma relief straps where available
- CSA Z259.11 energy-absorbing lanyard or Z259.2.2 SRL — the fall arrest connector the worker is attached to
- CSA Z259.15 certified anchor — rated for both fall arrest and rescue loads
- A written, site-specific rescue plan naming trained rescuers and the deployment sequence
- Documented annual rescue drill with the kit in the hands of the assigned rescuers
Build Your Site Rescue Program
Pair this descent kit with certified harnesses, anchors, and lanyards to satisfy CSA Z259.2.3 end-to-end.
VIEW FALL PROTECTION KITS