When lowering the load, how many wraps or turns of the rope are required relative to lifting the load?

• A. Fewer wraps than lifting
• B. The same number as lifting
• C. Double the wraps
• D. No wraps

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the amount of rope contact with the braking or friction surface governs how much resistance you have to control the descent. When lowering a load you want the same level of friction and control you had when lifting, so you use the same number of wraps. With the same wraps, the device provides the same resistance and you can lower safely at a controlled rate.

If you used fewer wraps, there would be less friction, increasing the risk of an uncontrolled, faster descent. If you used more wraps, there would be more friction, making the lowering too slow or requiring more effort to manage the rope, which can complicate the descent. No wraps would offer almost no braking at all, which is unsafe. So maintaining the same number of wraps as during lifting gives the appropriate, predictable control.