The figure 8 belay device is in the shape of an 8 with one large end and one small end.
													
																	Figure 8 vs belay device. 
									
	
		
	
																	The figure 8 belay device is in the shape of an 8 with one large end and one small end. 
																	While the figure 8 and rescue 8 are iconic and were a great option for a long time they are no longer a great choice. 
																	This device utilities a large surface area in contact with a climbing rope to provide sufficient friction along with proper technique to be used as a belay device or for rappelling a figure 8 sometimes just referred to as an 8 is used in conjunction with a climbing harness and locking carabiner to keep a climber safe and control their descent or one s own descent when rappelling. 
																	When rappelling you feed a bight bend of rope through the large hole and loop. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	The best device for rappelling. 
																	Atc vs figure 8 vs rescue 8 and. 
																	Figure 8 belay device. 
																	This creates friction in between the sides of the figure 8 and the rope. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	A figure 8 is used in conjunction with a climbing harness and locking. 
																	Search and rescue caving rappelling. 
																	Figure 8 devices are primarily used for rappelling however they can be rigged to belay a leader or a top rope climber. 
																	The rope wraps around the large end and goes in and out of the whol in the small end. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Atc vs figure 8 vs rescue 8 and more there are a lot of options going back a long way for devices used to descend a rope. 
																	Shaped like the number eight they have one larger and one smaller hole.