There is provided height rescue apparatus comprising a casing (9) which incorporates a bracket for attachment to a harness (2). The bracket can be releasably attached to a load element (11) which is attached to a safety line (10) which in turn can be attached to a secure anchorage. There is also a release means in the form of a pull cord (38) for releasing the load element (11) from the bracket (4) after a fall and speed control means for controlling the rate of deployment of an elongate element stored within the casing (9) and thus controlling the descent of a user (1).
