A line retraction device for a controlled descent or fall arrest, comprising: a hub configured to rotate about a center axis and having a line associated therewith, the line including a first end directly or indirectly attached to the hub and a second end opposite the first end; at least one retraction member biasing the hub in a first rotational direction of the hub opposite a second rotational direction of the hub, wherein the hub is configured to: (i) retract the line when the hub moves in the first rotational direction; and (ii) release the line when the hub moves in the second rotational direction; and a speed reducer arrangement comprising: (i) at least one lug fixed on a surface of the hub and configured to rotate along with the hub; (ii) at least one brake shoe having at least one groove extending therethrough and configured to at least partially receive the at least one lug; and (iii) at least one biasing member configured to urge the at least one brake shoe towards an inactivated position, wherein the at least one biasing member is attached to and in tension with the at least one brake shoe; wherein the at least groove and lug are arranged such that, as the hub rotates in the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction at a speed such that the at least one brake shoe experiences a centrifugal force that overcomes the urging force of the at least one biasing member, the at least one brake shoe is configured to slidably move along the at least one groove from the inactivated position, wherein the at least one brake shoe is located nearest the center of the hub, to an activated position, wherein the at least one brake shoe contacts at least one contact surface of the line retraction device to thereby slow the rotation of the hub and wherein the at least one groove extends at an angle with respect to a line connecting a center point of the at least one groove and the center axis of the hub. a hub configured to rotate about a center axis and having a line associated therewith, the line including a first end directly or indirectly attached to the hub and a second end opposite the first end; at least one retraction member biasing the hub in a first rotational direction of the hub opposite a second rotational direction of the hub, wherein the hub is configured to: (i) retract the line when the hub moves in the first rotational direction; and (ii) release the line when the hub moves in the second rotational direction; and a speed reducer arrangement comprising: (i) at least one lug fixed on a surface of the hub and configured to rotate along with the hub; (ii) at least one brake shoe having at least one groove extending therethrough and configured to at least partially receive the at least one lug; and (iii) at least one biasing member configured to urge the at least one brake shoe towards an inactivated position, wherein the at least one biasing member is attached to and in tension with the at least one brake shoe; (i) at least one lug fixed on a surface of the hub and configured to rotate along with the hub; (ii) at least one brake shoe having at least one groove extending therethrough and configured to at least partially receive the at least one lug; and (iii) at least one biasing member configured to urge the at least one brake shoe towards an inactivated position, wherein the at least one biasing member is attached to and in tension with the at least one brake shoe; wherein the at least groove and lug are arranged such that, as the hub rotates in the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction at a speed such that the at least one brake shoe experiences a centrifugal force that overcomes the urging force of the at least one biasing member, the at least one brake shoe is configured to slidably move along the at least one groove from the inactivated position, wherein the at least one brake shoe is located nearest the center of the hub, to an activated position, wherein the at least one brake shoe contacts at least one contact surface of the line retraction device to thereby slow the rotation of the hub and wherein the at least one groove extends at an angle with respect to a line connecting a center point of the at least one groove and the center axis of the hub.