A fall-protection apparatus, comprising: a main body comprising a friction-braking system comprising a pivotally movable braking cam and a braking sheave that define a space therebetween that can accommodate a rope; the friction-braking system further comprising a handle that is disconnectably connected to the braking cam so that when the handle is moved from a first, braking position to a second, non-braking position the braking cam is pivotally moved from a first, braking configuration to a second, non-braking configuration, and so that when the handle is moved to a third, disconnecting position the connection between the handle and the braking cam is disconnected; characterized in that the disconnectable connection between the handle and the braking cam comprises: an elongate pin that is slidably seated within an elongate channel that is at least partially defined by the handle, the elongate pin being slidably movable between a forward position and a rearward position and being configured so that when the elongate pin is in the forward position the elongate pin is engaged with the braking cam and when the elongate pin is in the rearward position the elongate pin is disengaged from the braking cam; a biasing member that biases the elongate pin forward towards the forward position; and a cam plate that is attached to the main body of the apparatus and that comprises an actuating surface along which a transversely-protruding boss of the elongate pin can slidably move during movement of the handle between the first, second, and third positions, wherein the cam plate comprises a lobe portion that is configured so that as the handle is moved to its third, disconnecting position, slidable movement of the boss of the elongate pin along the actuating surface of the lobe portion of the cam plate causes the elongate pin to be urged into the rearward position. a main body comprising a friction-braking system comprising a pivotally movable braking cam and a braking sheave that define a space therebetween that can accommodate a rope; the friction-braking system further comprising a handle that is disconnectably connected to the braking cam so that when the handle is moved from a first, braking position to a second, non-braking position the braking cam is pivotally moved from a first, braking configuration to a second, non-braking configuration, and so that when the handle is moved to a third, disconnecting position the connection between the handle and the braking cam is disconnected; characterized in that the disconnectable connection between the handle and the braking cam comprises: an elongate pin that is slidably seated within an elongate channel that is at least partially defined by the handle, the elongate pin being slidably movable between a forward position and a rearward position and being configured so that when the elongate pin is in the forward position the elongate pin is engaged with the braking cam and when the elongate pin is in the rearward position the elongate pin is disengaged from the braking cam; a biasing member that biases the elongate pin forward towards the forward position; and a cam plate that is attached to the main body of the apparatus and that comprises an actuating surface along which a transversely-protruding boss of the elongate pin can slidably move during movement of the handle between the first, second, and third positions, wherein the cam plate comprises a lobe portion that is configured so that as the handle is moved to its third, disconnecting position, slidable movement of the boss of the elongate pin along the actuating surface of the lobe portion of the cam plate causes the elongate pin to be urged into the rearward position. an elongate pin that is slidably seated within an elongate channel that is at least partially defined by the handle, the elongate pin being slidably movable between a forward position and a rearward position and being configured so that when the elongate pin is in the forward position the elongate pin is engaged with the braking cam and when the elongate pin is in the rearward position the elongate pin is disengaged from the braking cam; a biasing member that biases the elongate pin forward towards the forward position; and a cam plate that is attached to the main body of the apparatus and that comprises an actuating surface along which a transversely-protruding boss of the elongate pin can slidably move during movement of the handle between the first, second, and third positions, wherein the cam plate comprises a lobe portion that is configured so that as the handle is moved to its third, disconnecting position, slidable movement of the boss of the elongate pin along the actuating surface of the lobe portion of the cam plate causes the elongate pin to be urged into the rearward position.