A descender device, typically for use in a fall arrest system, for enables a suspended body to be lowered, and includes a descent line and a release element to be actuated by a person. The release element is arranged in a restraint configuration to inhibit the descent line from being deployed and in a release configuration to permit the descent line to be deployed. A restraint arrangement is arranged prior to deployment of the descent line, to clamp or pinch a length of flexible line thereby to inhibit deployment of the descent line, the restraint arrangement being reconfigurable upon release of the release element to permit the descent line to be deployed.