A pocket-size rappelling hook is provided for use by firefighters and the like in escaping from the upper stories of a burning building. The inventive rappelling hook is lightweight and portable, thus minimizing any impedance to a firefighter's ability to perform his/her duties. The inventive rappelling hook includes an elongate body having front and back surfaces, first and second side surfaces, and spaced apart first and second ends. The elongate body includes an aperture therethrough adjacent to the first end for receiving a rope, and first and second channels formed in the first and second side surfaces, respectively, which extend along the length of the elongate body. First and second hook members are mounted to the elongate body for pivotable movement relative thereto. The first and second hook members are pivotable between a first position wherein the first and second hook members are securable to an object and a second position defining a closed position. In the closed position, the first and second hook members are substantially received in the first and second channels, respectively.