TEN GUIDELINES FOR SAFE PURCHASE OF MOUNTAINEERING CLIMBING CARABINERS

TEN GUIDELINES FOR SAFE PURCHASE OF MOUNTAINEERING CLIMBING CARABINERS 2023-03-27

In April 2019, the UIAA Safety Committee issued 10 safety purchasing guidelines for mountain climbing buckles:

About Straight Screw Gate Climbing Carabiners

1. Conduct in-depth research:
Make sure that the equipment you purchase is suitable for the type of activity you intend to engage in, check equipment reviews from reliable sources, and have a realistic understanding of product details.
2. Carefully read and pay attention to the manufacturer's warnings and instructions regarding the use, inspection, maintenance, and scrapping of equipment:
Before using equipment, you must carefully read the warnings and instructions on the use, inspection, maintenance, and scrapping of equipment. When in doubt, it is best to replace the equipment.
In addition, information on product recalls related to issues can be found on the UIAA website.
3. If possible, please try before purchasing:
Whether the equipment fits properly can affect the ability and safety of protected mountaineers, such as helmets and safety belts. This is especially true for mountain climbing equipment that does not fit properly. It can be very dangerous.
4. Only purchase equipment with a UIAA safety label and/or CE label:
This ensures that equipment meets the most stringent international standards, with UIAA safety labels or CE labels typically appearing in the instructions of an equipment or product.
5. Avoid purchasing equipment online:
UIAA does not recommend purchasing mountaineering equipment online at will, except for equipment from well-known and trusted brands, trusted manufacturers, or reputable retailers.
6. Beware of counterfeit products:
For untrained people, counterfeit products can be very similar to actual certified products.
Selling seemingly certified products at very low prices should be highly regarded
7. Second-hand mountaineering equipment not approved for use by UIAA:
In particular, the following items should not be purchased second-hand: seat belts, helmets, and ropes.
8. Record the device you purchased in a notebook or online:
Keep a detailed record of the equipment you purchased for future verification.
9. Online inspection certification:
If you have any questions about the validity of your device, you can log in to the UIAA Certified Equipment Database, which contains a public search function that allows mountaineers, mountaineers, and all interested stakeholders to check the UIAA security label certified products of all recognized brands and manufacturers.
Similarly, if you believe that someone is using the UIAA security label without authorization, you can send detailed information to UIAA, and UIAA will add the product to its violation database.
10. Regarding the aging of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment):
Attention should be paid to the issue of aging of personal protective equipment, which should be promptly replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.