Abstract: A rescue lanyard is described herein to be used with a safety harness worn by a person. The lanyard comprises a main strap having a first attachment portion for attaching the main strap to a structure and a second attachment portion for attaching the main strap to the harness, and a secondary strap secured to the main strap adjacent the first attachment portion and having a third attachment portion to be attached to the harness via an emergency descent control device. In a safety mode of operation, the first attachment portion of the main strap is attached to the harness and the second attachment portion is attached to a structure so as to retain the person wearing the harness during a fall. In a self rescue mode of operation following a fall, while the person hang from the main strap, the third attachment portion is first attached to the harness via the emergency descent control device and the main strap is then cut so as to allow the person to descent from the structure using the descending device.