One caveat here...

If you plan on preparing for the scenario where the smoke/flames are already on your floor before you can act, your going to have to train with all that garb. Whether its rappelling gear or a parachute, you're gonna have to actually work out putting on the harness and safely "hooking in" and exiting in low light conditions while wearing a hood.

If rappelling is the option you choose, perhaps you can hook up with some local cavers in your area. You'll learn pretty quickly how to put on the gear in the dark that way!

If you go with the parachute (NOT what I would do, but to each his own), then you'll have to invent a drill or two for donning the harness while wearing something over your face.

I sure wouldn't count on either technique to save my life without a little practice. <img src="images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />