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Mad Rock

Mad Rock Lifeguard Belay Device

    • Based on 140 reviews
Condition: New
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$74.21 Why this price?
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Availability: In Stock.
Fulfilled by Backcountry
Arrives Jun 6 – Jun 12
Order within 19 hours and 20 minutes
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Description

Listen, let's just get down to brass tacks here. Mad Rock's Lifeguard is coming for the crown. This is the first assisted braking device in decades that can actually dethrone the GOAT. Let's get into the "why."First off, the Lifeguard is constructed entirely with aircraft-grade hot-forged aluminum and stainless steel. You won't find a hint of plastic anywhere, making durability a non-issue. This nifty belay device also tips the scales under the competition, saving precious ounces that add up pitch after pitch. The exceptionally compact Lifeguard is also much smaller than many assisted brakers, making it a perfect option for those with small hands or climbers who want their gear a bit smaller on longer routes.More compact, less weight, more durable, unquestionably safe and reliable. Pretty good resume.


Brand: Mad Rock


Size: One Size


Color: One Color


Style: Modern


Material: Stainless Steel


Brand: ‎Mad Rock


Size: ‎One Size


Color: ‎One Color


Style: ‎Modern


Material: ‎Stainless Steel


Item Dimensions LxWxH: ‎1 x 2 x 2 inches


Sport: ‎Climbing


Item Weight: ‎1 Ounces


Closure Type: ‎Snap


Special Feature: ‎Durable


Item Package Dimensions L x W x H: ‎5 x 4.5 x 2 inches


Package Weight: ‎0.14 Kilograms


Brand Name: ‎Mad Rock


Suggested Users: ‎Unisex-adult


Number of Items: ‎1


Manufacturer: ‎Mad Rock


Part Number: ‎699321


Model Year: ‎2021


Date First Available: July 22, 2015


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Jun 6 – Jun 12

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Better than a Gri-Gri
This thing is a lot better than the Gri-Gri for lead belaying. Pays out rope quickly when needed and arrests a lead fall very well. It's light weight and small size are a big plus for me. I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for an assisted braking device.
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023 by Christopher J Ellis
    • Better than a GriGi
So this is a secondary review after spending more time with the Lifeguard: After doing more lead climbing with the Lifeguard the performance has gotten much better. I have also been able to compare it more to a GriGri. Using a 9.9mm rope the operation is butter smooth and the feel for lowering is much better. I have gotten to master control of the rope in my brake hand and can hold it off to the side (like you would with a GriGri) and control braking while balancing the pull on the lowering handle. With larger gym ropes or larger lead ropes there is still a tendency to have too much friction which can lock up the cam when paying out slack quickly. However, with my 9.9 slack payout is great, and the cam still locks up very positively with a load on it and does not slip one bit and allows for easier braking when a climber needs a rest. More an more people in my gym are taking to it for its size, excellent construction, and easy use over a GriGri. I still don't think it deserves 5 stars because of its less than perfect performance with larger diameter ropes, but I'm happier with the Lifeguard than I was after using it the first few sessions. Give it some time and learn how to use it properly and it will pay off. Original Review: I really want to give this five stars but I can't because I keep going back to my ATC and this ends up sitting in my bag as a backup or for anyone that forgets a belay device. Pros: 1. It's smaller and lighter than a GriGri 2. Construction is very solid and the metal handle feels very sturdy. 3. The cam lock-up is very tight and holds climbers very well and engages at just the right point. Slack can be payed out without it locking up but with adequate force or a fall it locks tight and does not slip. 4: Cool factor. Everyone that sees it has to ask what it is and if they can use it. Cons: 1. Lowering a climber takes very precise control of the handle. Because the handle is short to fit the footprint of the device it is difficult to grasp it with a full hand and control decent. Additionally lowering seems to be either too slow or too fast, finding the sweet spot is very difficult for me. 2. When lowering, unlike a GriGri the rope has to be directly in front of the device for it to feed back into the device smoothly. If held off to the side it creates too much drag and there is no wear plate for the rope to glide over. Summary: Unfortunately I am going to stick with my tried and true ATC and this will be my backup belay device. An ATC I feel gives me greater control and feedback. I think the Lifeguard is well designed and would last many years of climbing and use. Perhaps I have not given it enough time after about a dozen climbing sessions of testing, and if that changes this review will be modified, but for now it is not my #1 belay device. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2017 by rovito12
    • It's like a grigri, but tiny and light. Love it.
I work with a Search and Rescue rope rescue group. We use these type of devices for personal descent and ascent (progress capture). I also own a GriGri from Petzl (which I love, and still use for a lot of things). This is a tiny, stripped down version. GREAT if weight savings is super important. Since I end up doing a lot of hiking on a search (and in most cases wont even need any climbing gear) light weight is super helpful to me. I trust this device implicitly and would gladly recommend it to anyone who needs a tool such as this. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2023 by Bryan Shaw
    • I wanted to love it, but I don't.
I wanted to love it, but it has some major drawbacks. The concept is fantastic, but it fails to deliver. First the negatives: Foremost, lowering a partner who weighs more than 180 pounds is tricky. The lowering handle is shorter than a Grigri which makes for a touchy action. The range between no movement and freefall is small. When lowering lighter climbers, it is hardly noticeable, but if your partner is above 200, it makes for a jerky descent. It is easy to imagine an inexperienced belayer dropping someone suddenly. I would not give this to someone who is inexperienced. Secondly, it is supposed to function on lead belay like an ATC. It does well at this until your partner makes a dynamic move, then their movement can activate the cam. Of course, this is possible with a Grigri, too, but there is less of a finger grip on the right side of the device. Plus, I get into the habit of just using it like an ATC and keep my hands off it entirely - which is a plus - but then my hands are in the wrong position to defeat the cam. If your partner isn't prone to dynos or fast climbing this is not a problem for you. Lastly, the interior surfaces are stainless steel, but not the sides. I would happily have traded the weight for an aluminum-free device. The pros: The cam works great. The cam locks up right when it should and holds tight. Second, it is much, much lighter than a Grigri. If you are a pro and counting ounces, but still want a cam, this is probably it. Third, you can use it on lead belay just like an ATC -or- just like a Grigri. Either way, you choose! That's pretty cool. The rope feeds past the cam just fine, unless your partner is super fast, just like an ATC. Lastly, it is new enough that you can show it to the pros and they might not know what it is. In the end, I wish I had bought a Grigri, but now that I have this, it is sufficient. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2018 by Mark Kane
    • Hard to use because the handle doesn’t cam 180 degrees
Feeds rope really well. However the handle doesn’t open up 180 degrees which makes it really hard to open the cam and do so with modulation. As a result it can be hard to fine tune your lower and exert extra effort to lower. I tried feeding it straight during lowering but that wasn’t effective and the rope just wanted to roll over to the side like other assisted belay devices. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2022 by Matthew L. Hermerding
    • Better than the GriGri2
If you prefer the feel of an ATC, don't like the belay method of a GriGri, and want a self-locking belay device, this is a fantastic alternative. It even has some design advantages over the GriGri. It has an all metal design and is lighter than any GriGri version. This is more a personal opinion, but I find it way easier to feed slack out with. The belay technique used for this device also keeps your hands off the device itself, so you won't have to worry about your belayer death gripping the device out of fear and letting all of the rope run through. There is some variation in how easily you can feed slack and how quick it catches depending on what rope you use, but I haven't used any good rope between 8.9 and 11mm that I would say is unsafe when used with this. From what I've found, the more supple the rope is, the easier the slack will feed. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2017 by Lauren
    • a must have
Review Image by Jay shep Jay shep
it is light weight and works great the best I have used great for climbing and rappelling
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2022 by Jay shep Jay shep

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