An improved fall protection system has been developed. The system functions by: (1) arresting the fall of such users, thereby protecting them from impact with the ground which could cause serious injury or death; (2) providing a method of recovery and escape from a fall-arresting device by providing a user with a controlled descent back to the ground or to a lower place of safety at a safe and gradual rate of descent; (3) providing greater simplicity and wearer comfort in fall-arresting and self-recovery devices; and (4) incorporating gear storage capability into such protective devices, in order to eliminate the need to wear a separate gear storage pack, vest, tool belt, or other such garment or accessory.