A shock absorbing device adapted for mounting at a substantially vertical surface is disclosed. The aforesaid device comprises (a) vertically spaced-apart two pulleys being mechanically securable to the vertical surface; (b) an elongate member; the elongate member provided with two terminals; the member adapted for reciprocative motion along the elongate member; the member adapted for mechanically securing a subject to be protected; (c) a wire connected to the terminals of the member and tensioned through the pulleys. The device further comprises an energy absorber. The movable elongate member is mechanically secured to the vertical surface by means the energy absorber