Attention canyoning [caving] harnesses!
- Thread starter mikem
- Start date
Mike Hopley
New member
My French is poor, and the auto-translate is a mess. I've also only skim-read it. But if I'm reading this right:
They have seen 3 breakages in real use.
Tests were performed on harnesses of various ages, from 1 year to 20. Most of the tested harnesses should have been scrapped anyway, due to the amount of visible wear.
The harnesses failed at much lower peak forces than specified in the standard. The sun and / or water have a strong impact on aging. It is recommended to dry the harness after use.
The manufacturers recommend a maximum usage period of 10 years, and a maximum storage period of 5 years. It will very likely be necessary to revise these figures downwards, depending on activity levels.
The practitioners of canyoning are over-confident in their equipment.
They have seen 3 breakages in real use.
Tests were performed on harnesses of various ages, from 1 year to 20. Most of the tested harnesses should have been scrapped anyway, due to the amount of visible wear.
The harnesses failed at much lower peak forces than specified in the standard. The sun and / or water have a strong impact on aging. It is recommended to dry the harness after use.
The manufacturers recommend a maximum usage period of 10 years, and a maximum storage period of 5 years. It will very likely be necessary to revise these figures downwards, depending on activity levels.
The practitioners of canyoning are over-confident in their equipment.
The FB comments are also suggesting that cheaper harnesses may not use such UV resistant material, so although they pass the initial testing, they will not last as long. It certainly supports that they should not be dried in strong sunlight.
Fortunately most caving harnesses use doubled back attachment points, so more material to spread the load, rather than the single loops pictured. (Worryingly, if the attachment is off-centre in these sorts of set up, the material can break at half the load, as it all comes onto one side, rather than both).
Unsurprisingly, there have been few incidents, as most cavers & canyoneers try to avoid shock loading their harnesses, unlike sports climbers - so it may be more of a problem than we think.
Fortunately most caving harnesses use doubled back attachment points, so more material to spread the load, rather than the single loops pictured. (Worryingly, if the attachment is off-centre in these sorts of set up, the material can break at half the load, as it all comes onto one side, rather than both).
Unsurprisingly, there have been few incidents, as most cavers & canyoneers try to avoid shock loading their harnesses, unlike sports climbers - so it may be more of a problem than we think.
