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Therrin · 9th March 2008, 01:39 PM

At this point I've gotten 3 different types of auto-lockers to fail using my branch test...

I'm somewhat convinced that the captive-ball lockers are probably the "safest" type of auto-lockers at the moment.

It isn't an issue of money actually, auto's are only a couple bucks more; and weight is a non-factor, the difference being fractions of ounces.

Thanks for your "biner policing"... however now that I'm insured I too must follow ANSI, and have switched to using auto's for safety attatchments. The type I'm using are of the kind shown in the last video, and I'm sure there are SEVERAL climbers out there using a similar mechanism; though I'll shortly be ordering several Petzl ball lockers.

The point of all this, is that screw-lock gates are extremely safe when used *properly*. There is quite a bit of equipment on the arborist lineup which can be unsafe and even deadly when used improperly.
Instead of bending to the lowest common denominator (the lazy operators), I think more attention needs to be paid to using gear the way it is supposed to be used, without taking shortcuts.

This kind of thinking is what makes you LIVE LONGER.... not standards which are rushed into play resulting from operator incompetence.

And as you mentioned, I decided that I will take it up with ANSI; using some of my tests to support my position.

9th March 2008, 01:39 PM	#110 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,318	Re: Types of Biners you use. At this point I've gotten 3 different types of auto-lockers to fail using my branch test... I'm somewhat convinced that the captive-ball lockers are probably the "safest" type of auto-lockers at the moment. It isn't an issue of money actually, auto's are only a couple bucks more; and weight is a non-factor, the difference being fractions of ounces. Thanks for your "biner policing"... however now that I'm insured I too must follow ANSI, and have switched to using auto's for safety attatchments. The type I'm using are of the kind shown in the last video, and I'm sure there are SEVERAL climbers out there using a similar mechanism; though I'll shortly be ordering several Petzl ball lockers. The point of all this, is that screw-lock gates are extremely safe when used properly. There is quite a bit of equipment on the arborist lineup which can be unsafe and even deadly when used improperly. Instead of bending to the lowest common denominator (the lazy operators), I think more attention needs to be paid to using gear the way it is supposed to be used, without taking shortcuts. This kind of thinking is what makes you LIVE LONGER.... not standards which are rushed into play resulting from operator incompetence. And as you mentioned, I decided that I will take it up with ANSI; using some of my tests to support my position.