Quote:
Originally Posted by Therrin 
ANSI standard ANSI Z359.1 states:
"Snap hooks and carabiners shall be self-closing and self-locking and shall be capable of being opened only by at least two consecutive deliberate actions."
As well, Danny suggests the ANSI standard ANSI Z133.1-2006(8.1.11), which supposedly states "that it needs to have two consecutive, deliberate actions to prepare the gate for opening".
The carabiner in this most recent video conformed to that different piece of the standard as well, and failed the test as well. All it took was a simple diagonal rubbing of the gate against a branch for it to pop right open....
an action I couldn't replicate with the screw-locking biner using horizontal or diagonal actions, even when doing so aggresively, untill after several minutes it finally unscrewed.
The action necessary to do so took a ridiculous amount of deliberate action, whereas unlocking the auto lockers took a simple single-stroke brush against it.
It is my personal opinion that screw-locks are inherently safer than auto-locking carabiners, and that many climbers are too lazy to use them properly. And that auto-locking biners can offer a false-sense of security and "fool-proof-ness".
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Lets get past ANSI Z359.1 it is for fall arrest gear. We as climbers use
work positioning gear. We need to be looking at the correct standard.
There is no supposedly about it, ASNI Z133.1 is for tree care opps and states that tripple locking carabiners are the standard adopted by them. We shouldnt have to debate this as it is a well known fact among those in the profession.
I do not doubt that a tripple locking biner can fail or open unintentionally, and that there are some poorly designed tripple lockers out there (like the one Therrin used in the video). I personally use Petzl ball locks because I am comfortable with them, I however still keep an eye on them to make sure all is well.
The simple fact is that there is a standard(standards are not always perfect) that is there to protect tree climbers. These standards are good because although they may not be perfect they bring awareness to safety and aslo prevent cheap ass employers from buying below standard gear just to save a buck. Its your choice to agree with it or not, but it won't change. You can choose to work acording to the standard or not, that is your decision. I personally am required by the company that I work for to follow the ANSI standards, and as a future company owner I will continue to do so and train all future employees that I may have to do the same for their safety and protection as well as mine.
Ken I think that you make a good point, screw locks can be safer than some auto lockers. As a private owner operator who does all of his own climbing and has no climbers as employees you are free to climb with whatever you want,even Lowes rope
, but if you start training climbers you will need to train employees to work acording to the industry safety standard.
Follow industry standards and use common sense, you'll
probablylive longer.
I am done being the biner police take it up with ANSI if you have a problem with it, or just ignore them if you choose.