In a two-person load using a figure 8 descender, how many wraps are recommended around the device?

• A. Single wrap
• B. Double wrap
• C. Triple wrap
• D. Quadruple wrap

Answer: (B)

When using a figure-8 descender, the amount of rope wrapped around the device directly affects how much friction you have to control the load. For a two-person load, you want enough friction to safely brake and keep the descent smooth, but not so much that the rope binds or becomes hard to feed.

Wrapping the rope around the device twice increases contact and friction, giving you better control over a heavier descent. A single wrap often doesn’t provide enough braking force for two people, which can lead to uncontrolled or quick descent.

Wrapping more than twice tends to over-ruffle the rope around the device, making the system hard to feed, increasing the risk of rope binding, heat buildup, and unpredictable braking. So two wraps strike the right balance for a two-person load: enough friction for safe control without causing excessive snagging or difficulty in operation.