Abstract: A shock absorber for fall protection systems is described. It is comprised of elongated first and second side-by-side inelastic elements having proximal and distal ends; means for attaching the distal end of said first inelastic element to the proximal end of said second inelastic element; a plurality of paired opposing first and second openings extending along the length of said first and second inelastic elements; and, a plurality of energy absorbing cables, extending, respectively, through said plurality of opposing pairs of openings, said energy absorbing cables having at each end thereof means to prevent withdrawal of said energy absorbing cables through the openings and said energy absorbing cables being of progressively longer lengths, whereby application of above normal shock loads on said shock absorber will cause the energy absorbing cables to break in sequence beginning with the shortest length shock absorbing cable.

Abstract: A shock load indicator for use with a safety cable comprising a casing surrounding a section of the cable, having severable top and bottom sections connected through a shearing means. The casing normally supports the weigth of the user of the cable, and encloses a length of the cable such that, when the cable is extended as a result of the severance of the casing due to a fall induced shock load, the top and bottom sections separate by a predetermined distance indicating that the cable has been subjected to a shock load.