A catch device, as part of a fall protection for ladders and similar climbing devices, for application in a guide rail with a C-profile, includes a body and at least two pairs of rollers, arranged in the body so as to run inside the guide rail. At least one pair of rollers is rigidly fixed to the body and one roller pair is arranged to pivot about an axis at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the guide rail and which runs up to the rotational axis of the roller pair. The pivoting roller pair can be fixed in a secure position such that the pivoting roller pair is fixed on a shaft, mounted so as to rotate in the body, the upper end of the shaft projecting from the body and having an indent. A hanging latch is connected to the body which may engage in the indent. The hanging latch can be locked in the engaged position.