Petzl GRIGRI+ Belay Device

1. Field of Application

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used for fall protection.

Belay device with cam-assisted blocking for rock climbing. It can be used to belay a climber on lead or top rope, and to lower the climber.

This product must not be pushed beyond its limits, nor be used for any purpose other than that for which it is designed.

2. Responsibility

WARNING Activities involving the use of this equipment are inherently dangerous.

You are responsible for your own actions, decisions and safety.

Before using this equipment, you must:

• Read and understand all Instructions for Use.
• Get specific training in its proper use.
• Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
• Understand and accept the risks involved.

Failure to heed any of these warnings may result in severe injury or death.

This product must only be used by competent and responsible persons, or those placed under the direct and visual control of a competent and responsible person.

3. Nomenclature

The GRIGRI+ consists of the following parts:

• (1) Moving side plate
• (2) Cam
• (3) Cam axle
• (4) Friction plate
• (5) Handle
• (6) Fixed side plate
• (7) Attachment holes
• (8) Selector knob
• (9) Lock button

Principal materials: aluminum, stainless steel, nylon.

4. Inspection, Points to Verify

Petzl recommends a detailed inspection at least once every 12 months. Warning: your intensity of use may cause you to inspect your PPE more frequently. Record the results on your PPE inspection form.

Before each use: Verify that the product has no cracks, deformation, marks, corrosion... Check the state of wear. Verify that the cam and release handle move freely and that the springs are working properly. Check the condition of the cam and the friction plate. Verify that there are no foreign objects (sand...) in the mechanism and no lubricant on the rope path.

During use: It is important to regularly monitor the condition of the product and its connections to the other equipment in the system. Make sure that all items of equipment are correctly positioned with respect to each other. Verify that the carabiner is always loaded on the major axis, closed, locked. Verify that the cam and the frame of the GRIGRI + are able to rotate freely at all times.

5. Compatibility

Verify that this product is compatible with the other elements of the system in your application (compatible = good functional interaction).

Ropes: Compatible with 8.5 to 11 mm CE EN 892 and/or UIAA certified dynamic kernmantel single ropes. Warning: commercially, nominal rope diameters have a tolerance of up to ±0.2 mm. Warning: the blocking effectiveness of the GRIGRI + may be reduced when used with a new rope. In general, blocking effectiveness and ease of giving slack can vary depending on the diameter, condition, state of wear, and surface treatment of your rope. Be vigilant and familiarize yourself with the belaying and lowering performance of your GRIGRI + each time you use a rope other than the one you normally use. WARNING: certain ropes can be slippery and reduce the blocking effectiveness of the GRIGRI + (ropes with sheath treatments, ropes that are new, icy, wet, muddy...).

Choose the rope diameter based on the intended use. Our recommendations regarding rope diameters are as follows:

• 8.9 ≤ Ø ≤ 10.5 mm: ⭐⭐⭐ The device functions optimally with these rope diameters.
• 10.5 < Ø ≤ 11 mm: ⭐⭐ For well-used or large-diameter ropes, you may need to use the technique presented in section 8C more frequently to facilitate giving slack.
• 8.5 ≤ Ø < 8.9 mm: ⭐⭐ Thin ropes require special precautions during use because they are more difficult for the hand to grip. They can be more difficult to control while descending or in the event of a fall. The use of thin ropes requires greater vigilance and a high level of experience with belay techniques.

Attachment carabiner: You must use a locking carabiner that meets current standards in your country.

6. Function Principle and Test

When a climber falls, the GRIGRI + pivots on the carabiner, the rope becomes taut and the cam pinches the rope to block it. Holding the brake side of the rope helps engage the cam, so it is important to always hold the brake side of the rope. The cam (a) and the frame of the GRIGRI + (b) must be able to rotate freely at all times. The GRIGRI + must be free to rotate around the carabiner. ⚠️: any blockage of the device or cam will negate the blocking action on the rope.

A test must be carried out before each use to ensure correct rope installation and to verify that the GRIGRI + is functioning properly.

7. Choosing the Belay Mode

You can use the selector knob (⚙️) to choose the belay mode (top-rope or lead climbing).

The top-rope belay mode facilitates taking up slack, but does not allow giving slack using the technique shown in section 8B.

Locking the knob: The selection can be locked by using the lock button (?).

8. Belaying Techniques

Before using the GRIGRI +, you must know the proper belaying techniques. The GRIGRI +'s cam-assisted blocking capability does not relieve you of the need to follow basic belaying principles: be attentive to the climber’s progress and always hold the brake side of the rope.

• 8A. Primary Belaying Position: Always hold the brake side of the rope. Never grip the device with your entire hand. Anticipate clips by being attentive to the climber’s progress. Your hands should always stay in this position, except if you need to give slack quickly when the climber is clipping (see section 8C).
• 8B. Giving Slack: To facilitate feeding the rope, focus more on pushing the rope into the device than pulling it out (rotational movement).
• 8C. Giving Slack Quickly: One technique is to simply move toward the cliff. The other technique, for occasional and short-term use, requires different hand positioning for a very limited time. Your hands must immediately return to the principal belaying position. ⚠️: in the event of a fall, you risk clenching the cam, which negates the blocking action on the rope. Do not keep your thumb continuously pressed on the cam.
• 8D. Taking Up Slack.
• 8E. Stopping a Fall: Tip for a dynamic belay: do a small jump, or step forward, to reduce the impact force on the climber.

9. Lowering a Climber on a Top Rope

The belayer gradually pulls on the release handle, without letting go of the brake side of the rope. The handle helps adjust the friction, but the descent (⬇️) is controlled by the hand gripping the brake side of the rope. ⚠️

Anti-panic function

Working principle: The GRIGRI + has an anti-panic handle that is especially useful in learning how to control a lower. If the belayer pulls too hard on the handle, the anti-panic mechanism triggers to help stop the running of the rope. By holding the brake side of the rope, the brake hand helps engage the cam to stop the descent. To continue the descent, release the handle completely, then resume lowering normally. ⚠️

Exceptional Use: In certain cases (e.g. when reaching the ground, if there is rope drag, or with a lightweight climber), unintentional triggering of the anti-panic mechanism can occur. To facilitate completing the lower, you can pull the handle completely back. This technique is for exceptional use only.

Warning: In certain configurations (lightweight climber and/or belayer, rope drag, small-diameter rope, new rope...), the triggering of the anti-panic mechanism may be too brief to be noticed by the belayer. Even with the anti-panic handle, you must always hold the brake side of the rope.

10. Additional Information

Product Compliance: This product meets the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment. The EU declaration of conformity is available at Petzl.com.

EN 15151-1 Type 8: Devices for belaying and rappelling with an anti-panic blocking function.

When to Retire Your Equipment: ⚠️ An exceptional event can lead you to retire a product after only one use, depending on the type and intensity of usage and the environment of usage (harsh environments, marine environments, sharp edges, extreme temperatures, chemicals...).

A product must be retired when:

• It has been subjected to a major fall or load.
• It fails to pass inspection. You have any doubt as to its reliability.
• You do not know its full usage history.
• When it becomes obsolete due to changes in legislation, standards, technique or incompatibility with other equipment...

Destroy these products to prevent further use.

Icons: ℹ️ A. Unlimited lifetime, B. Acceptable temperatures, C. Usage precautions, D. Cleaning, E. Drying, F. Storage/transport, G. Maintenance, H. Modifications/repairs (prohibited outside of Petzl facilities, except replacement parts), I. Questions/contact (❓).

Guarantee: 3-year guarantee against any material or manufacturing defect. Exclusions: normal wear and tear, oxidation, modifications or alterations, incorrect storage, poor maintenance, negligence, uses for which this product is not designed.

Warning Symbols: 1. Situation presenting an imminent risk of serious injury or death. 2. Exposure to a potential risk of accident or injury. 3. Important information on the functioning or performance of your product. 4. Equipment incompatibility.

Traceability and Markings: Includes CE conformity, Notified Body number, traceability matrix, diameter, serial number, manufacture date, batch number, standards, manufacturer address.

Diagram Descriptions

Page 1: Shows the GRIGRI+ device, its parts, traceability markings, and warning symbols.

Page 2: Illustrates the function principle of the device and the steps for installing the GRIGRI+ on a harness.

Page 3: Details the partner check, choosing the belay mode, and locking the knob.

Page 4: Depicts belaying techniques: primary belaying position, giving slack, and giving slack quickly.

Page 5: Shows taking up slack, stopping a fall, and lowering a climber on top-rope, including anti-panic function.

Page 6: Explains the anti-panic function in detail and provides additional information icons.