SMC/Russ Anderson Figure 8's with Ears are the traditional rescue 8's developed by Russ Anderson. The ears are designed to prevent an unloaded rope from inadvertently slipping over the sides of the large hole and forming a girth hitch, thereby locking the 8 to the rope when loaded again. The ears also make it easier to "tie off" when on rappel. All of the Russ Anderson/SMC Figure 8's with ears are machined from 1/2" thick, solid aluminum, heat-treated bar.