The assisted braking action of the Matik derives from an innovative camming design that makes the device safe and easy on the climber, the belayer, the anchor and the rope.The Matik is built so the cam rotates in and comes in line with the rope before it captures the rope completely. This alignment creates a much larger contact area between the cam and the rope which makes the device more rope friendly than other assisted-braking devices, and the slight amount of slippage that occurs as the cam rotates into place reduces the impact force of a fall. This means less force on the bodies of the climber and belayer, and on the anchor! When lowering, the Anti-Panic system helps prevent one of the most common accidents occurring with the use of an assisted-braking device -- losing control of the descent. The brake lever will automatically disengage causing the cam to automatically reengage if it is opened too quickly or if it is kept too far open where the speed of the descent can become unmanageable. This safety feature is particularly useful where there is little friction from rope drag between the belayer and the climber or during top-down descents where the Matik delivers a remarkable sense of safety and control. Users will also instantly notice that the Matik creates a very natural path for the rope that does not require looping or twisting of the rope during descent. Combined with the dynamic camming action that limits the impact of the fall, this natural rope path helps to reduce wear and tear on the rope. Other distinguishing features of the Matik include an improved method for inserting the rope that eliminates the possibility of clipping a carabiner to the device until it is completely closed, and robust construction with a hot-forged aluminum main body and precision-cast stainless steel for the critical components that come in contact with the rope.