a descent control device to facilitate rapid descent and abseil maneuvers , including a body , a handle integrally affixed to the body to define a longitudinal axis for the device , an attachment lug disposed on the body , and a combination of through holes through the body through which a safety line is threadably inserted in a specific pattern , and shallow channels between the through holes , thereby giving rise to configurations that allow the safety line to payout freely through the descent device , to be locked in relation to the descent device , or to payout in a controlled pace , all configurations depending on the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the device to the anchored upper portion of the safety line .