Mailing List Archive Mailing List Archive
A Petzl carabiner is designed differently from your average 'biner, and exhibits none of the characteristics that do indeed make your average 'biner a liability, as you have pointed out below. I was speaking exclusively of a Petzl. E.J. >No name calling from me, but carabiners have their place....in >climbing/rappelling, *not* diving (with the exception of public safety >diving). >1. The carabiner does have a large "mouth", no doubt about that >2. The large "mouth" carabiner *is not* easier to work with, however (when >compared to a large bolt snap). >3. The gate area of a carabiner does have snagging inconveniences. >Look at >the notch and pin located at the gate. That notch will almost always snag on >your harness d-ring as you try to unload a stage (or whatever piece of >equipment). It's used in climbing, you say. Well, as a >climber/rappeller, the >carabiners are being clipped of to 'Figure 8's', climbing rope, and other >carabiners. None of those connection points are as small as the d-ring on >your >harness, hence, the snagging is almost non-existent when climbing. >4. As far as threads. I am sure you are talking about locking carabiners, >but there are no threads exposed. If you just have to use a carabiner, the >non-locking type would be best. That's *if* you just can't take it upon >yourself to do it right. >5. Just like the typical "boat snap" (not bolt snap, two different things >here), the gate of the carabiner is subject to having something else, like >cave/wreck line, other equipment, etc., inconveniently slip right into the >snap >without you knowing it. Now you're entangled. Some call the 'boat snap' a >suicide clip. I would place the carabiner right in the there with it (diving >application, of course). >6. You indicated that the carabiner is used by those "hanging at the end of a >rope from an icy cliff" and that this somehow justifies the carbiners use in >diving. It doesn't. There is no comparison. In fact, the reason carabiners >are used in climbing is because of their construction, which is relative to >their working weight load capacity. Many are rated in the 6500Kg(14,330lbs) >area. This is the reason for their use in climbing. A common (large) >bolt snap >has a load rating of around 330 lbs. You wouldn't tie into a bolt snap if >climbing, now would you. But for rigging stage bottles, etc., the bolt >snap is >entirely appropriate. >7. Each 'clip' has it's intended application. Using a carabiner for >diving >because climbers use it would be like shoveling dog shit with your Mom's >spatula. Hey, it works good on eggs! >8. Quit using the carabiner and get some good bolt snaps. >--------------Jason Weisacosky > >E.J. Sadler wrote: > >> Feel free to call me names, but I dive with dry gloves and think the right >> carabiners are much better than bolt snaps, especially in cold water. >> >> A good locking carabineer like a Petzl has many advantages - >> >> - larger mouth opening than a bolt snap >> - the open end has no threads (or traditional carabiner hook) to snag >> or wear down with donning and doffing >> - far easier to open or closed with one hand >> - threads are not exposed at any time >> >> Remeber, these things are designed to be used repeatedly by people with one >> gloved hand hanging at the end of a rope from an icy cliff. >> >> Although they are aluminum, I have one pair that is three years old with no >> signs of oxidation. They have only seen about sixty salt water dives. A >> light coating of WD40 has keep them working perfectly. >> >> The downside is a Petzl will run you about $20 each. >> >> E.J. >> >> >fyi: i am diving in water in the mid 30s F, so yes, it works in cold water >> >w/ thick gloves. i personally would give caribiners a wide berth. those >> >things scare me underwater. good luck. >> >-glenn >> >> >> To that end, I'd like to hear about different clips, and how/why each is >> >> being used. I'm looking at stainless steel carribieners, but unless one >> >> used the locking versions, seems like they could catch on something. The >> >> locking versions solve that problem, but would be harder to use. >> >> ______________________________ >> >> E.J. Sadler / Particle Studios >> ejsadler@pa*.ne* >> 800.704.3900 >> http://particles.net >> ______________________________ >> >> -- >> Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. >> Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'. ______________________________ E.J. Sadler / Particle Studios ejsadler@pa*.ne* 800.704.3900 http://particles.net ______________________________ -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
Navigate by Author:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Subject Search Index]
[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]
[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]