SRTE Rescue 8 can be used for a number of different purposes including Descending and Belaying. Unlike normal Figure 8 descenders, the SRTE Rescue 8 has 'ears'. On the SRTE Rescue 8 Large and Small, these ears are found on the larger end, while on the SRTE Rescue 8 Belay the ears are found on the smaller end. On all models the ears prevent a girth hitch forming, i.e., if all the slack is not taken up on a normal Figure 8 when load is applied, the bite in the rope could jump the larger hole in the Figure 8, locking the descender off completely. With the SRTE Rescue 8, this will not happen as the bite in the rope will be caught by the protruding ears. The SRTE Rescue 8 Belay may be used in an emergency as a quick release descender. By attaching the karabiner to the large hole, this enables the operator to attach/detach the rope without removing the SRTE Rescue 8 Belay from the harness. However this is NOT ADVISABLE in non-emergency situations as the rope could accidentally be released putting the operator in danger. In general: All Figure 8 style descenders are fixed friction devices - meaning friction can not be added/removed during descent. Whether using your SRTE Rescue 8 as a belay device or a descender, always have complete control over the tail end of the rope.