The Deadman is often the only way of belaying on snow. When placed at the correct angle and then loaded, it will bury itself deeper, spreading the load dynamically over an area of snow.Its holding power is dependent on the consistency of the snow, hard never being far better soft snow.The final plate size of the DMM Deadman has been chosen after extensive testing to optimise the balance between practicality for carrying and holding power. It has carefully designed wings which help stabilise the plate and reduce the chance of its rotating and pulling out sideways.The lightening holes not only reduce the Deadman's weight, but increases its drag coefficient in the snow and make it easier to convert into a snow shovel, by tying it to an ice axe.