New Petzl buckle protectors available to stop slippage

[chrisdb]

Multiple reports have been received by BCA regarding harness buckles on the newest model of Petzl caving harnesses that have orange coloured webbing, ie both the Super Avanti and Aven. The issue is that buckles on harnesses that are either new, or in relatively new condition, tend to work loose to the extent that they come undone. BCA officers posted on this forum about this issue in April 2022 and have been in regular contact with Petzl since then.

Almost all the reports have been about leg loop buckles. We have had a very small number of reports regarding the belt buckle also loosening, though not coming undone.

Petzl has designed a buckle cover, specifically for leg loops on either harness. A small number of cavers in the UK and abroad were sent the prototype buckle covers in January 2023 and these were found to be highly effective. These anti-slip devices have now been manufactured and can be ordered free of charge via the Petzl UK contact page https://www.petzl.com/GB/en/Sport/Contact choosing the ‘After-sales Service’ option. You should mention ‘anti-slip device for Superavanti (or Aven) harness’ when you complete the form.

Petzl has also reminded everyone that regular checks of kit are important.

Cavers are advised to pass this information along so that as many cavers as possible are aware of this potential safety issue.

Regards
Steve Gray
BCA Training Officer

 

[Badlad]

Designing a harness where the buckles slip would seem to me to be a pretty bad design error. Selling them into the caving market without identifying this flaw even worse. What has happened to Petzl?

 

[Pony]

Petzl won't be getting any of my cash from now on. Flawed life support equipment produced and a slow response to remedy the problem. Expect a lot better from a company with such a standing.

 

[Fjell]

The Avanti we have with the slipping buckles was made in 2020. I vaguely thought it might improve as it got older, but no. It’s fairly worn now all over. The tape does not match the buckle design after they (apparently) changed the tape. Given you notice this the first time you use it, they should obviously never have issued the harness to start with. Really it should have been a full product recall and redesign. We might shortly find they no longer want the market at all, I think Petzl and caving are running on fumes.

I’ll see what the bodge does, but my wife already got an MTDE harness for my peace of mind.

 

[alanw]

Will Petzl be sending a bulk order of covers to Inglesport, Starless River, etc.? Also, how long will they last in use with abrasion?