Caring for your equipment

Posted by Daniel Middleton on 09/01/2013
How do you care for your equipment?

Do you know when to retire your climbing gear? Can you decide if any damage is dangerous or just cosmetic? Keep safe when climbing by making sure your equipment is up to the job, with the help of advice guides and videos from the BMC.

Knowing how and when to check your safety equipment for climbing and mountaineering is an essential skill. Get into the habit of regularly inspecting your gear for damage and wear, and know when you should be taking it out of service.

Modern gear is generally well designed, and with the adoption of mandatory EN standards for most equipment in the mid '90's it has become extremely rare for equipment to fail. When it does, most often it is either due to the equipment being used incorrectly or because it has suffered some damage. You can find out what to look out for with the following resources:

WATCH: Caring for equipment on BMC TV

This chapter is taken from Rock Climbing Essentials, available to buy from the BMC Shop.

READ: For greater detail download the free Care & Maintenance guide.

RECYCLE: Check out www.greenpeakgear.org. All profits go to the BMC Access & Conservation Trust.



« Back

Post a comment Print this article

This article has been read 2670 times

TAGS

Click on the tags to explore more

RELATED ARTICLES

Online climbing gear: are you buying safe equipment?
4
Online climbing gear: are you buying safe equipment?

It's become common to shop online rather than take time out from our busy lives to physically visit a shop. The convenience, range of choice, and often better prices, make buying online incredibly attractive. But don't be caught out: there are some nasty surprises awaiting the unwary!
Read more »

Call to check avalanche transceivers - updated advice
1
Call to check avalanche transceivers - updated advice

A potential issue has been identified with the switches on Black Diamond/PIEPS DSP Pro and DSP Sport models of avalanche transceivers. Newly updated advice and action has been issued by the manufacturer, in the form of a product correction service in the form of a replacement hard case for the transceiver.
Read more »

BMC technical advice booklets
3
BMC technical advice booklets

Want to know more about the equipment used for climbing and mountaineering? Our range of advice guides are full of useful information for experienced climbers and novices alike. We cover the different types and uses of equipment, the standards they must adhere to and detail essential care and maintenance tips.
Read more »

Post a Comment

Posting as Anonymous Community Standards
3000 characters remaining
Submit
Your comment has been posted below, click here to view it
Comments are currently on | Turn off comments
0

There are currently no comments, why not add your own?

RELATED ARTICLES

Online climbing gear: are you buying safe equipment?
4

It's become common to shop online rather than take time out from our busy lives to physically visit a shop. The convenience, range of choice, and often better prices, make buying online incredibly attractive. But don't be caught out: there are some nasty surprises awaiting the unwary!
Read more »

Call to check avalanche transceivers - updated advice
1

A potential issue has been identified with the switches on Black Diamond/PIEPS DSP Pro and DSP Sport models of avalanche transceivers. Newly updated advice and action has been issued by the manufacturer, in the form of a product correction service in the form of a replacement hard case for the transceiver.
Read more »

BMC technical advice booklets
3

Want to know more about the equipment used for climbing and mountaineering? Our range of advice guides are full of useful information for experienced climbers and novices alike. We cover the different types and uses of equipment, the standards they must adhere to and detail essential care and maintenance tips.
Read more »

BMC MEMBERSHIP
Join 82,000 BMC members and support British climbing, walking and mountaineering. Membership only £16.97.
Read more »
BMC SHOP
Great range of guidebooks, DVDs, books, calendars and maps.
All with discounts for members.
Read more »
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Get covered with BMC Insurance. Our five policies take you from the beach to Everest.
Read more »