A rope severing device for cutting a rope after a continued compressive force is disclosed. The rope severing device includes a housing having a base and a top and the top is movably mounted to the base such that the top can move axially with respect to the base. A blade is positioned at least partially within the housing and fixedly mounted with respect to the base. In some embodiments, an elastic member is positioned inside the housing in contact with the base and a damper is attached to the base to dampen relative movement of the top and the base. Upon application of a compressive force to the housing, the top moves toward the base and the blade is at least partially exposed through an opening in the top to sever a rope attached to the rope severing device.
