Petzl Maestro S Descender

The Petzl Maestro S is a descender with an integrated pulley built for lowering and hauling in rescue systems. It lets an operator lower a load and switch to a raise without rebuilding the system.

What the Maestro S does

In a rescue, you often need to lower, then raise a little to clear an edge or release a load. The Maestro S combines a descender with a pulley and cam, so the same device handles both jobs.

For tree crews, it fits aerial rescue and technical lowering systems. It is a specialized tool, best for teams that train on rope rescue. Other devices are in ascent and descent.

The integrated pulley also lets the Maestro S act as a progress-capture device in a haul system. That saves building a separate pulley and rope grab and speeds up changeovers on a rescue.

Setup and inspection

The Maestro S is sized for 10.5 to 11.5 mm rope. Check your rope against Petzl's compatibility list, since many arborist climbing lines are larger. Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard (ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions), be inspected before every use, and be used only by trained climbers.

Inspect the cam, pulley sheave, handle and side plate before each use, and follow Petzl's inspection procedure and records.

Rescue gear only works if the team knows it. Run regular drills with the Maestro S and record who has trained on it. Keep it in a dedicated rescue bag so it is ready when it is needed.