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barkernews
Mar 30, 2004, 6:15 PM
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OK,
What's the rule?
When do you retire a harness?
I've been using mine for about four years and it still looks great. But does anyone know when the material starts to degrade to the point it's time to buy a new harness?
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chronicle
Mar 30, 2004, 6:20 PM
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Considering that a new harness is relatively cheap, then I would say if you don't feel safe replace it.
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reprieve
Mar 30, 2004, 6:27 PM
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I've heard that 3 years is the benchmark. Of course, I'm a penny pincher, so we'll see if I actually stick to that when it comes.
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gds
Mar 30, 2004, 6:33 PM
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I have actually seen a harness fail. But it was several years old and had very visible signs of wear. It had taken literally thousands of falls and the tie in loops just wore through. Material tends to degrade over time and light exposure hastens the process. That said I can't imagine that a harness that is 3 or 4 years old, with no visible wear would fail.
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climb_plastic
Mar 30, 2004, 9:47 PM
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whoa! I never even thought about this.
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nrvna963
Apr 2, 2004, 12:25 AM
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I agree with gds, i would keep using it if it has no or little signs of wear.
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craig_climber
Apr 2, 2004, 12:39 AM
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If it looks like it's wearing out, replace. If you're not sure, replace it anyways and be safe. Just imagine falling out of your harness... :shock:
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asandh
Apr 2, 2004, 1:03 AM
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:)
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the_antoon
Apr 2, 2004, 1:56 AM
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Mine is about 4 years old. I don't think there is a scratch on the thing. If yours is anything like mine, I can't imagine it failing.
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asandh
Apr 2, 2004, 2:28 AM
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:)
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alvchen
Apr 2, 2004, 4:34 AM
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What you can do is just tug on all the straps and hope you don't get much movement. If you see any broken threads and you can pull them out enough where there is less than 50% threading left, go ahead and retire it.
Well thats how we check harnesses for rides at the amusement park I work at.
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rokklym
Apr 2, 2004, 4:42 AM
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I had some idiot in a gym tell me that I needed to replace my harness once and I was like, dude, if you actually climbed outside your harness might show a little wear too.
I usually replace my harness when I get too fat for the old one. Anyone know where I can get a harness with a large waist and medium legs? Winter ( and beer ) have been rough on my gut :shock:
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the_antoon
Apr 2, 2004, 4:44 AM
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First off, remind me never to go to your park
Secondly, a piece of webbing sitting in a static state for 10 years is different from a piece that is manipulated on a regualr basis for 3 years (think of rubber bands). Granted it probably is not as strong as when you bought it. Maybe keep your eyes peeled for a new one, but no need to ground yourself till you buy one.
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billcoe_
Apr 2, 2004, 4:47 AM
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In reply to: I have actually seen a harness fail. But it was several years old and had very visible signs of wear. It had taken literally thousands of falls and the tie in loops just wore through. Material tends to degrade over time and light exposure hastens the process. That said I can't imagine that a harness that is 3 or 4 years old, with no visible wear would fail.
GDS:
Thousands of falls? Thousands of falls? You sure? What were the consequesnses of the failure? Details? How far? What was the fall factor you think? Ie how far above his piece, how much rope was out etc etc.
I've never heard of a harness failing but was thinking of retiring my toprope only harness and using my newer one for everything. It's at least 12 years old I think. My new one, my lead harness - is 2 years old. I usually retire them when my lard ass belly outgrows it, but it hasn't happened with this one! Looks like my weight is stablising at 40 lbs overweight. Whooo HOooooo!
Bill
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berserk
Apr 2, 2004, 5:05 AM
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Most of the harnesses I've bothered to look at the safety-sheet for operates with a shelf life of 5yrs. So, if your harness is 5+ yrs, I would consider replacing it regardless of wear. Of course, the manufacturers only wants to be on the safe side, but why should we, who are actually the ones putting our life at risk when using them?
It's a cheap life-insurance getting a new harness every 3-4 yrs. They're not really that expensive.
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timstich
Apr 2, 2004, 5:34 AM
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It is best to retire your harness when it starts double billing your clients more than five times a week. When your harness orders 6000 units of motor oil and you are running a beauty salon, this too is a good sign that retirement is looming. Retire your harness if it moves all of your investments into glue factories.
Also, retire your harness if it witnesses you commit murder. What is one more "retirement" to you, a murderer? It is nothing I tell you.
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mtman
Apr 2, 2004, 5:48 AM
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In reply to: You should think of your lead harness and your lead rope as a "set". Don't they both share the stress when you fall ? Replace them together by making them your TR "set" when the time comes. Try never to toprope on your lead "harness and rope set" so it lasts longer. so ...... how often do you replace your lead rope ??
i would not go that far your rope suffers wear that your harness dose not, like friction and rub on rocks that can weear the rope casing, and a fall the force is mostly through your rope, because of the strech, than your harness. also when you take a lead fall the falls force goes through the biner, the heat created by the friction can melt the inner core of the rope. i have actually seen a rope that has had this, the section was about 2-3in lond and was solid, and did not bend. aparently the guy had taken a huge wipper. it was prety crazy and scary.
you should replace your harness when it is getting sines of wear or it is older than five years, that is what i would do
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mtman
Apr 2, 2004, 5:53 AM
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In reply to: It is best to retire your harness when it starts double billing your clients more than five times a week. When your harness orders 6000 units of motor oil and you are running a beauty salon, this too is a good sign that retirement is looming. Retire your harness if it moves all of your investments into glue factories. Also, retire your harness if it witnesses you commit murder. What is one more "retirement" to you, a murderer? It is nothing I tell you.
?????WTF??????
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alvchen
Apr 2, 2004, 6:16 AM
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Our inspections are per the suggestions of the manufacturer of the ride. Second, if we have any doubts about our equipment, we will not be afraid to retire it. Third, from the many years we've been operating the ride, we have yet to have an accidents or fatalities.
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sarcat
Apr 2, 2004, 3:52 PM
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Retire your harness when it's worn. If you climb daily that could be twice a year. If you're like me and climb 3-4 times a month it could be every 4-5 years.
So IF I have a harness that is 5 years old and only used 4 times (didn't like it) it's no good? I knew I should have sold it 4 years ago.
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