A brake device for engaging an inner surface of a drill string within a borehole, the brake device being configured for axial movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the drill string, the brake device comprising: a driving member having an outer surface that defines a plurality of wedge surfaces; a brake retainer having an inner surface that defines a central bore that receives at least a portion of the driving member, wherein the brake retainer defines a plurality of radial openings positioned in communication with the central bore, and wherein the brake retainer comprises a biasing member that is operatively coupled to the driving member; a plurality of braking elements positioned in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the driving member, wherein the brake retainer defines a proximal end of the brake device, wherein the brake device has a threaded connector that defines a distal end that is axially opposed to the proximal end of the brake device, wherein the brake device defines a shoulder surface proximate the threaded connector, and wherein the shoulder surface is configured to engage a landing ring at a distal end of the drill string; wherein the biasing member of the brake retainer is configured to bias the driving member in a proximal direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string to position the plurality of wedge surfaces of the driving member in contact with corresponding braking elements of the plurality of braking elements, and wherein the plurality of wedge surfaces of the driving member are configured to drive the plurality of braking elements radially outwardly into corresponding radial openings of the brake retainer, wherein the braking elements are configured to engage the inner surface of the drill string when driven outwardly into the corresponding radial openings of the brake retainer; and wherein each wedge surface of the plurality of wedge surfaces of the driving member has at least one tapered portion that is axially tapered moving in a proximal direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string such that the wedge surfaces of the driving member are configured to wedge the plurality of braking elements against the inner surface of the drill string when the brake device is moved in a proximal direction relative to the drill string. a driving member having an outer surface that defines a plurality of wedge surfaces; a brake retainer having an inner surface that defines a central bore that receives at least a portion of the driving member, wherein the brake retainer defines a plurality of radial openings positioned in communication with the central bore, and wherein the brake retainer comprises a biasing member that is operatively coupled to the driving member; a plurality of braking elements positioned in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the driving member, wherein the brake retainer defines a proximal end of the brake device, wherein the brake device has a threaded connector that defines a distal end that is axially opposed to the proximal end of the brake device, wherein the brake device defines a shoulder surface proximate the threaded connector, and wherein the shoulder surface is configured to engage a landing ring at a distal end of the drill string; wherein the biasing member of the brake retainer is configured to bias the driving member in a proximal direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string to position the plurality of wedge surfaces of the driving member in contact with corresponding braking elements of the plurality of braking elements, and wherein the plurality of wedge surfaces of the driving member are configured to drive the plurality of braking elements radially outwardly into corresponding radial openings of the brake retainer, wherein the braking elements are configured to engage the inner surface of the drill string when driven outwardly into the corresponding radial openings of the brake retainer; and wherein each wedge surface of the plurality of wedge surfaces of the driving member has at least one tapered portion that is axially tapered moving in a proximal direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string such that the wedge surfaces of the driving member are configured to wedge the plurality of braking elements against the inner surface of the drill string when the brake device is moved in a proximal direction relative to the drill string.