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Survivor 8
Rappel 8 Version A
Rappel 8 Version B
Rappel 8 Version C
Rappel 8 Version A
Rappel 8 Version B
Rappel 8 Version C
Rappel 8 Version D
Rappel 8 Version E
Rappel 8 Version F
Rappel 8 Version G
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| Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C |
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| Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D |
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| Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G |
[ Top | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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I acquired my first Survivor 8 from CMC in 2007. I acquired a second from Justin Spain in 2023 as part of an escape kit. That kit was made in 2008.
The CMC Survivor 8 is milled from aluminum plate, and then hard anodized. Mine is 73 mm. tall, 71 mm. wide, and 10 mm. thick. The rope hole is 32 mm. high and 32 mm wide. The top center thickness is 10 mm. The shaft length and width are 5 mm. and 35 mm., respectively. The eye measures 20 mm. by 20 mm. The ears are 8.2 mm. long. My Survivor 8 eight weighs 44 g.
One side of the Survivor 8 is marked with "CMC," "Rescue," "Ø 9.5 mm.," "06226C" (the lot number), the Underwriters Laboratories Classified seal with (0F04) underneath, "MBS 13.5 kN E (Escape USE)," "MEETS NFPA 1983 (06ED.)," and the Reading is Dangerous icon.
The CMC Survivor 8 is a "micro" size figure eight with ears. It is smaller and lighter than most figure eights with ears, of course. The Survivor 8 is designed as personal escape devices (a.k.a., PEDs), and not for normal daily use. It should be used on thin lines (exactly 9.5 mm.), since it will not work on standard 11 mm. caving rope. Although the Survivor 8 is designed for 9.5 mm. ropes, the CMC Escape Kit that I obtained in 2023 came with 9.0 mm. rope.
Putting the Reading is Dangerous icon on my original survivor 8 seemed pointless since it came without instructions on how to use it. The CMC Escape Kit that I purchased in 2023 had instructions. The small ears help reduce girth hitching somewhat, but the very similar SARA does OK without ears.
I don't think that I would use the Survivor 8 as an eight. Actually, if I already had a carabiner to hook it to my harness, I’d probably just use the carabiner without the eight, maybe in a Ranger or perhaps more likely, a Munter Hitch rappel. As for using the Survivor 8, I would use it just like I would the Baechli, Bankl, SARA, New Alp Light 8, Salewa Alpinbremse, or Yates Belay Slave ; namely, by rigging it in a free-running or Munter belay configuration instead of the traditional eight rigging that it was designed for.
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[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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I acquired this eight from Bob & Bob in 1990.
The CMC Rappel 8, Version A, is milled from aluminum plate and then soft anodized. Mine is 132 mm. tall, 140 mm. wide, and 13 mm thick. The rope hole is 57 mm. high and 57 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 13 mm. The shaft length and width are 14 mm. and 51 mm., respectively. The eye measures 39 mm. by 29 mm. The ears are 29.1 mm. long. My CMC Rappel 8, Version A, weighs 158 g.
One side of the eight is stamped "CMC RAPPEL 8." A sticker on the other side reads "CMC RAPPEL 8" and "California Mountain Company Ltd - Santa Barbara CA."
The CMC Rappel 8, Version A, is a variation of the typical "midi"size figure eight with ears. The ears on this eight are certainly longer than they need to be. The slot is also too big to use as a belay slot, at least for realistic diameter ropes, but it does help lighten the eight.
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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I acquired this CMC Rappel 8 from Sam Johnson in 2022.
This Rappel 8 is milled from aluminum plate and then hard anodized. Mine is 137 mm. tall, 144 mm. wide, and 13 mm. thick. The rope hole is 57 mm. high and 57 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 13 mm. The shaft length and width are 16 mm. and 51 mm., respectively. The eye measures 38 mm. by 25 mm. The ears are 26 mm. long. This eight weighs 166 g.
One side is milled with "UND.LAB.CLASS.," "MBS 22kN," and "CMC." The other side is milled with "MEETS NFPA 1983 (2001 ED)B" and "3672."
This is another variation of the typical "midi"size figure eight with ears. The anodizing on this version is harder than that on the others. As in the other versions, the ears on this eight are longer than they need to be. The slot is too big to use as a belay slot.
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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I acquired my CMC Rappel 8, Version C from Michael Melfi in 2012.
This version is milled from aluminum plate and then hard anodized. Mine is 135 mm. tall, 140 mm. wide, and 13 mm. thick. The rope hole is 51 mm. high and 51 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 13 mm. The shaft length and width are 21 mm. and 51 mm., respectively. The eye measures 37 mm. by 25 mm. The ears are 29.8 mm. long. My CMC Rappel 8, Version B weighs 159 g.
One side is faintly etched with the UL Classified logo, (5F04)," "CMC," and "MBS 13.5kN." The other side is faintly etched with "MEETS NFPA 1983," "(2006 ED)L," "0366," "Ø9.5 mm. - 11 mm," and "07171A."
The CMC Rappel 8 is a variation of the typical "midi"size figure eight with ears. As in the other versions, the ears on this eight are longer than they need to be. The slot is too big to use as a belay slot.
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| Escape Kit | Kit Contents |
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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I acquired this eight from Bob & Bob in 1989.
Version A is milled from plate steel and then painted. Mine is 168 mm. tall, 167 mm wide, and 14 mm. thick. The rope hole is 76 mm. high and 76 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 14 mm. The shaft length and width are 24 mm. and 51 mm., respectively. The eye measures 44 mm. by 25 mm. The ears are 31.8 mm long. My CMC Rescue 8, Version B weighs 624 g.
One side of the eight is stamped "CMC RESCUE" and "Fc88." A sticker on the other side reads "CMC RESCUE 8," "™," and "California Mountain Co. Ltd."
This is an example of a milled steel rescue eight. This is a painted eight that otherwise appears to be equivalent to Version B. I don't like the thick coating of paint, since this inevitably wears off on the rope.
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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I acquired this eight from L&S Sporting Goods in 1989.
The CMC Rescue 8, Version B is milled from plate steel and then chrome plated. Mine is 168 mm. tall, 167 mm wide, and 14 mm. thick. The rope hole is 76 mm. high and 77 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 14 mm. The shaft length and width are 23 mm. and 51 mm., respectively. The eye measures 44 mm. by 25 mm. The ears are 32 mm. long. My CMC Rescue 8, Version B weighs 635 g.
One side of the eight is stamped "CMC RESCUE" and "Fc88." A sticker on the other side reads "CMC RESCUE 8," "™," and "California Mountain Co. Ltd."
This is another example of a milled steel rescue eight. This is a steel eared eight that is labeled for rescue use. It is too large and heavy for general use. The slot is also too big to use as a belay slot, at least for realistic diameter ropes. The ears are longer than normal.
"Fc" is a manufacturer’s mark that appears on many items made by U.S. Forgecraft.
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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I acquired my CMC Rescue 8, Version C on eBay from Kristen Ongoy in 2021.
The CMC Rescue 8, Version B is milled from plate steel and then chrome plated. Mine is 171 mm. tall, 170 mm wide, and 12 mm. thick. The rope hole is 75 mm. high and 76 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 11 mm. The shaft length and width are 25 mm. and 50 mm., respectively. The eye measures 44 mm. by 26 mm. The ears are 31 mm. long. My CMC Rescue 8, Version B weighs 553 g.
One side of the eight is stamped "CMC" and "USFC 12 99."RESCUE" and "Fc88." The other side is stamped with "UND. LAB. CLASS.," "MEETS NFPA 1983," "(95ED.) G," and "MBS 6000LB."
This is another milled steel rescue eight. This is a steel eared eight that is labeled for rescue use. It is too large and heavy for general use. The slot is also too big to use as a belay slot, at least for realistic diameter ropes. The ears are longer than normal.
"USFC" shows that this eight was made by U.S. Forgecraft.
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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I acquired my CMC Rescue 8, Version D from Jeannette Montgomery in 2012.
Version D is milled from steel plate and then chrome plated. Mine is 151 mm. tall, 159 mm. wide, and 13 mm. thick. The rope hole is 63 mm. high and 63 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 13 mm. The shaft length and width are 21 mm. and 51 mm., respectively. The eye measures 42 mm. by 25 mm. The ears are 33.4 mm. long. My Version D weighs 511 g.
One side is etched with "USA" and "CMC RESCUE®" as a logo. The other side is etched with the UL Certified logo, "5F04," a book-with-an-"i" icon, "MEETS NFPA 1983 (06 ED)," "MBS 15kN “L”&Ø9.5-13mm," "MBS 22kN “G”&Ø13mm ONLY," and "PART#300850 LOT#1139."
This eight is noticeably smaller than the other CMC Rescue 8s, but far too heavy for my taste. Despite its name and because of its smaller size, I call this a full size figure eight with ears rather than a milled steel rescue eight.
Chatter marks on the inside of the hole and eye indicate that it was milled, not forged.
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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I acquired one CMC Rescue 8, Version E from Adam Farmer in 2012 an a second from Kelley Deem at the 2022 Old Timers Reunion.
Version E is milled from aluminum plate and then hard anodized. Mine is 171 mm. tall, 171 mm. wide, and 13 mm. thick. The rope hole is 76 mm. high and 76 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 13 mm. The shaft length and width are 25 mm. and 51 mm., respectively. The eye measures 44 mm. by 25 mm. The ears are 33 mm. long. Version E weighs 218 g.
One side of the eight is milled with "CMC RESCUE 8." A sticker on the other side reads "CMC RESCUE 8," "California Mountain Co.[sic]Ltd.," and "Santa Barbara CA."
The CMC Rescue 8, Version E is a milled aluminum rescue eight. Although large for an eight, the weight is in a reasonable range for general use.
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. G | Return to Figure Eights ]
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Sam Johnson sent me this eight in 2023.
Version F is milled from aluminum plate and then hard anodized. Mine is 171 mm. tall, 171 mm. wide, and 13 mm. thick. The rope hole is 77 mm. high and 76 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 13 mm. The shaft length and width are 25 mm. and 51 mm., respectively. The eye measures 45 mm. by 26 mm. The ears are 32 mm. long. Version F weighs 211 g.
One side of the eight is milled with "CMC RESCUE" A worn sticker on the other side read "CMC RESCUE 8," "California Mountain Co.[sic]Ltd.," and "Santa Barbara CA."
Versions E, F, and G differ only in their markings.
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Return to Figure Eights ]
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Sam Johnson sent me this eight in 2023.
Version G is milled from aluminum plate and then hard anodized. Mine is 170 mm. tall, 172 mm. wide, and 13 mm. thick. The rope hole is 75 mm. high and 76 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 13 mm. The shaft length and width are 25 mm. and 51 mm., respectively. The eye measures 44 mm. by 25 mm. The ears are 33 mm. long. Version G weighs 221 g.
One side of the eight is milled with "CMC" and "RESCUE 8" on separate lines.
Versions E, F, and G differ only in their markings.
[ Top | Survivor 8 | Rappel 8 v. A | Rappel 8 v. B | Rappel 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. A | Rescue 8 v. B | Rescue 8 v. C | Rescue 8 v. D | Rescue 8 v. E | Rescue 8 v. F | Rescue 8 v. G ]
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