A self-rescue safety device, comprising: a frame configured and arranged to be connected to a safety harness; a lifeline connector; a rope having an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end, the first end being operatively connected to the frame, the second end being operatively connected to the lifeline connector; a releasable connecting member operatively connected to the frame and the lifeline connector, the releasable connecting member having an engaged position and a disengaged position, the engaged position engaging the lifeline connector and the disengaged position allowing the lifeline connector to be released from the releasable connecting member; a brake assembly (208,209) operatively connected to the frame, the brake assembly controlling a rate at which the rope is paid out when the lifeline connector is released; a sheave through which a portion of the intermediate portion is routed, and a drum rotatably operatively connected to the frame, the frame interconnecting the drum and the releasable connecting member; wherein the frame includes a brake cavity configured and arranged to receive at least a portion of the brake assembly, the brake cavity being defined by a frame surface, wherein the brake assembly comprises a rotor to which at least one pawl (216,218) is pivotally connected and to which a rotor gear is operatively connected and at least one brake pad (217,219) operatively connected to the at least one pawl, the at least one brake pad contacting the frame surface to control the rate at which the rope is paid out as the sheave rotates; and wherein the sheave is rotatably operatively connected to the frame, and that the safety device further comprises a sheave gear operatively connected to the sheave, the sheave gear mating with the rotor gear operatively connected to the rotor. a frame configured and arranged to be connected to a safety harness; a lifeline connector; a rope having an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end, the first end being operatively connected to the frame, the second end being operatively connected to the lifeline connector; a releasable connecting member operatively connected to the frame and the lifeline connector, the releasable connecting member having an engaged position and a disengaged position, the engaged position engaging the lifeline connector and the disengaged position allowing the lifeline connector to be released from the releasable connecting member; a brake assembly (208,209) operatively connected to the frame, the brake assembly controlling a rate at which the rope is paid out when the lifeline connector is released; a sheave through which a portion of the intermediate portion is routed, and a drum rotatably operatively connected to the frame, the frame interconnecting the drum and the releasable connecting member; wherein the frame includes a brake cavity configured and arranged to receive at least a portion of the brake assembly, the brake cavity being defined by a frame surface, wherein the brake assembly comprises a rotor to which at least one pawl (216,218) is pivotally connected and to which a rotor gear is operatively connected and at least one brake pad (217,219) operatively connected to the at least one pawl, the at least one brake pad contacting the frame surface to control the rate at which the rope is paid out as the sheave rotates; and wherein the sheave is rotatably operatively connected to the frame, and that the safety device further comprises a sheave gear operatively connected to the sheave, the sheave gear mating with the rotor gear operatively connected to the rotor.