rope is the history of use. A rope that is shock loaded or otherwise damaged should be retired immediately. Hard use would call for a shorter service life than would be acceptable for a rope that sees very little use. If we apply the same analysis to the rescue harness, then the actual use and the conclusions drawn from inspection would be the significant criteria for determining retirement. We do know that with any use a rope will age, and thus a harness is likely to do the same, so a 10-year maximum service life may well be appropriate for harnesses, assuming inspection has not provided any reason for earlier retirement.
Class 5 climbing --- Where rock climbing begins in earnest. Climbing involves the use of a rope, belaying, and protection (natural or artificial) to protect the climbers from a fall
Standing end--- The part of a rope that is not active in knot tying
Training rope--- A retired rope wanting to get back into your rescue rope cache. To prevent this mishap, cut it up into sections for knot tying practice
Static rope--- a rope that is not designed to stretch when placed under load, in contrast to a dynamic rope
Kernmantle rope-- rope constructed with its interior core (the kern) protected by a woven exterior sheath (mantle) designed to optimize strength, durability, and flexibilit
Robert Walters is on the APP Board and holds degrees in Education, Fire Service Administration and Fire Science. He presently is the Team Coordinator for the Technical Rope Team and Ski Response Team at Jackson County Search and Rescue and is a Technical Rescue Instructor. In addition, he responds with a Fire Department Technical Rescue Team and practices paramedicine with a community ambulance service. He can be reached at email@example.com.
All views are the opinion of the author and do not represent the Association of Professional Patrollers or its sponsors.