Is that true?

[Vallejo]

I heard that if a carabiner falls from a 3-4ft heigh (the info vary depending the source), that carabiner must be replaced. Is that true? Does it applies to heavier hardware like an "eight" or a "Totem"

I have read too that this doesn't happens on all metal alloys... Then, I'm a bit confused...

Of course I'm not thinking about abusing my (future) hardware, but it's allways good to know.

Greetings!

[jacasey]

several sources claim to have debunked this myth, but i'm sure that nobody wants the liability of claiming that you are always safe - so of course, inspect your equipment. aluminum, however, is reasonably compliant, and from first principles should not be that brittle unless cast -- and nobody should be making cast carabiners these days.

i believe that the level of paranoia which would result in retiring a carabiner after a 3-4 ft drop is uncalled for.

[cookiecutter]

Of course I'm not thinking about abusing my (future) hardware, but it's allways good to know.


I think we're in related situations. The gear is coming, piece by piece :2thumbs:

But nice post! Good info, and a nice idea to put to rest

[rcwild]

The warnings remain from the good old days when carabiners were all made of steel. Aluminum is a more malleable metal; less likely to fracture if dropped. But even the old steel carabiners that developed micro fractures still retained a high percentage of their original strength.

Maybe Bob Brengle (retired aerospace metalurgist) will chime in with some techie stuff.

Previous posters are correct. For liability reasons, it's very unlikely a manufacturer will tell you it's okay to use a carabiner after dropping it. Not to mention, if you don't think that carabiner is useable anymore, you will buy another one.

On the other hand, I will reuse a carabiner dropped 3-4 feet without concern. But if I drop it a significant distance I won't. Might not be rational, but I figure my life is worth more than the cost of another carabiner, so why take a chance.

[Vallejo]

Then, I could say that if my old Nokia can survive after a drop from certain height, the carabiner can too, and doesn't need to be replaced...

PS: My Nokia has survived from a 7ft drop... =P