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Originally Posted by ronnyb  Never seen or heard of a kong failing, you're supposed to use a backup with any ascender any ways. Matter of fact, I was introduced to the Kong at ArborMaster. |
Some accidents have occurred and are documented. Causes include one leg of the rope being pushed out of the cam because the climber placed the ascender too close to the tie in point, climbers accidentally releasing the cam with their thumbs, tree debris preventing the cam from properly closing, etc...
Even placing a keychain biner behind the cams, the climber can still accidentally release the cam with their thumb or debris can prevent the cam from engaging properly.
The kong should always be backed up. The best back up is a bow shackle placed in the hole above the cams. A piece of 3/8 tenex is spliced to the bow shackle so that there are two equal lengths coming off the shackle. One leg is tied with a friction hitch ( I use a Distal ) to each leg of the doubled climbing rope.
Credit for the above technique and info goes to Mark Adams, Instructor for North American Training Solutions. It was first published in the Climbers corner of I.S.A.'s Arborist News some time ago.