An automatic descent control device comprising: a housing ; a shaft rotatably supported within the housing ; a line configured to be attached to a load , wherein the line is coupled to the shaft , and wherein the line retracts within the housing and wind about the shaft when the line is not loaded and unwinds about the shaft when the line is loaded; a first braking system coupled to the shaft , wherein the first braking system is an eddy current braking system and provides a first braking force to the shaft when the line is loaded, wherein the first braking system lowers the load at a first descent rate; a second braking system coupled to the shaft , wherein the second braking system is an electromechanical braking system and provides a second braking force to the shaft when the line is loaded, wherein the second braking system lowers or locks the load at a second descent rate, and wherein the load is a constant, and the first descent rate is greater than the second descent rate; and a controller coupled to the second braking system , wherein the controller selectively engages the second braking system upon receiving an engagement signal, the second braking system independent from the first braking system . a housing ; a shaft rotatably supported within the housing ; a line configured to be attached to a load , wherein the line is coupled to the shaft , and wherein the line retracts within the housing and wind about the shaft when the line is not loaded and unwinds about the shaft when the line is loaded; a first braking system coupled to the shaft , wherein the first braking system is an eddy current braking system and provides a first braking force to the shaft when the line is loaded, wherein the first braking system lowers the load at a first descent rate; a second braking system coupled to the shaft , wherein the second braking system is an electromechanical braking system and provides a second braking force to the shaft when the line is loaded, wherein the second braking system lowers or locks the load at a second descent rate, and wherein the load is a constant, and the first descent rate is greater than the second descent rate; and a controller coupled to the second braking system , wherein the controller selectively engages the second braking system upon receiving an engagement signal, the second braking system independent from the first braking system . a first braking system coupled to the shaft , wherein the first braking system is an eddy current braking system and provides a first braking force to the shaft when the line is loaded, wherein the first braking system lowers the load at a first descent rate; a second braking system coupled to the shaft , wherein the second braking system is an electromechanical braking system and provides a second braking force to the shaft when the line is loaded, wherein the second braking system lowers or locks the load at a second descent rate, and wherein the load is a constant, and the first descent rate is greater than the second descent rate; and a controller coupled to the second braking system , wherein the controller selectively engages the second braking system upon receiving an engagement signal, the second braking system independent from the first braking system . <EOS>