Abstract: A self-braking apparatus is provided for cases of emergency in which a rapid descent of persons threatened by fire or danger is required on the outside of buildings or the like. The apparatus can be secured to a fixed point from which the descent is to be made and comprises a rotor on which a rope is wound which is mounted coaxially and inwardly of a drum. A heat-resistant handle and a brake which can be actuated by the user are secured to the drum by brackets. The rotor is provided with a plurality of radial holes each containing a spring urging a brake pad outwardly against the inner surface of the drum. The brake which can be actuated by the user is formed by a pair of levers pivotally connected to each other and acting with one of their ends on rods having an inclined plane in turn acting on brake pads urged against the lateral surface of the drum by the rods.