Petzl Pirana Manual
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Petzl Pirana Manual

Canyoneer’s rappelling tool
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Petzl Pirana – a  Canyoneer's  Rappelling  Tool

Pirana Basics

The Pirana is a Figure Eight based Rappel Device made by Petzl specifically for canyoneering. It has several friction
settings, so the correct friction for the rope/canyoneer/situation can usually be found with little hassle. It is quick to put
on the rope, and quick to take off. For Class-C canyoning, like in Ouray, the Pirana performs well in waterfalls, because it
tolerates of twists in the rope and of debris tangled in the rope. If you have to do rescue stuff, it offers opportunities for
locking off quickly and easily and for rappelling with two people (not covered in this chapter).
The Pirana snugly attaches to a carabiner by design, making it quite difficult to lose the device when doing a floating
disconnect. This also means only specific carabiners work with the Pirana: the Petzl Attache, Petzl William, and the
Pirate carabiners from Rock Exotica are the common options. The Pirana can be hard to get on the biner, but a little
lubrication (spit) and persistence will eventually get it into place.
Technical Beta courtesy CanyoneeringUSA.com Material not reviewed by Petzl. © 2012 Imlay Canyon Gear LLC

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Summary of Contents for Petzl Pirana

  • Page 1 It is quick to put on the rope, and quick to take off. For Class-C canyoning, like in Ouray, the Pirana performs well in waterfalls, because it tolerates of twists in the rope and of debris tangled in the rope.
  • Page 2 The Pirana is best used with a canyoneering harness (horizontal belay loop), so the Pirana lies flat. If you use a rock climbing harness with a vertical belay loop, it will work better if you extend the Pirana (and change orientation 90 degrees) with a small locking carabiner or a 10mm Aluminum Rapid Link.
  • Page 3 1. Step over the rope, so the rope is on your right-hand side as you face the anchor. 2. Lay the Pirana OVER the rope, and pull the rope up through the large hole. Drop the rope into the carabiner and lock it.
  • Page 4 The  “3”  setting  is  difficult  to  get  to  while  on   rappel,  because  to  move  to  it  from  the  “2”   setting, you necessarily pass through a zone Technical Beta courtesy CanyoneeringUSA.com Material not reviewed by Petzl. © 2012 Imlay Canyon Gear LLC...
  • Page 5 When doing meat anchors, we often rig the Pirana like this, or with another full warp, and then just grasp mass of rope with the brake hand.
  • Page 6 Tame your Pirana by clipping the big into a carabiner on your left-side gear loop. 5. The Pirana has a bite to it. If your fingers get too close, they can get pinched between the rope and the device. Ouch! Keep your hands at least one hand-width away from the Pirana.
  • Page 7 1/3 of the way through, then I discard it. Each canyoneer needs to make their own decision on this issue. Technical Beta courtesy CanyoneeringUSA.com Material not reviewed by Petzl. © 2012 Imlay Canyon Gear LLC...

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