Wildland Firefighters rappelling out of a Bell 212 HP at 225 ft. This is a "rappel proficiency" or practice rappel at the Livingston Airport in Montana.Sometimes known as "Smoke Sliders", these Rappellers can be found mostly in the Western United States.Mostly used by the US Forest Service and California Department of Forestry/-CalFire, but many States are now fielding these Helitack-Rappelers crews. During an operational rappel these firefighters descend through heavy timber at heights up to 250 ft. to access forest fires quickly.
The Control descent device you see is called a Sky Genie.It allows a preset rate of descent by number of turns around the shaft. Few turns for rapid descent, more for slower rates. Descent speed MUST be controlled by user.

Decelerate or Stop descent and remain suspended by applying pressure to free end of line. Remain in one position by looping free end of line over the top of the SKY GENIE.

Unit can be controlled at, above or below point of descent.

We tie off at 3.5 turns.

Boots by Whites