Do Harnesses Really Expire?

[workmanflock]

https://www.climbing.com/news/loss-of-a-legend/

Buy a new harness, its not worth it.

[Matt]

After seeing this thread and hearing from a friend of mine she knows and trusts, my gf took down the ebay ad.
Selling it seems like a bad idea.

[TallGrass]

Additionally after a harness arrests some ones fall it needs to be removed from service possibly sent back to factory for recertification

... which consists of ... ?

As far as selling a used harness goes, the key is making full disclosure to the buyer (preferably in an email that you keep a copy of), so that they know (1) how old it is, and ...

Huh? It's ebay so you'd only be able to contact a buyer once they bid or bought it, and then you'd disclose that info after the fact? Any disclosure needs to be made in the ad prior to sale.

https://www.climbing.com/news/loss-of-a-legend/ Buy a new harness, its not worth it.

That's about a guy using a harness with "leg loops looking worn out" and a belay loop that was frayed “15 to 20 percent," not about a NOS harness in good condition.

[Voshkm]

Additionally after a harness arrests some ones fall it needs to be removed from service possibly sent back to factory for recertification

... which consists of ... ?
well generally speaking it consists of removing the harness from service after it has endured a heavy impact from someone falling, not from someone rappelling. "Sent back to the factory for recertification" consists of well sending a harness back to the factory that made it so that it can be put through stress tests and be inspected by a professional to determine if it is in condition stop a future high impact fall.
I am merely comparing industrial safety principals with making the decision to use a used harness.
To decide to sell a used harness or not is more of an ethical question and whether you can get away with it without legal ramifications should not be the deciding factor.

[TallGrass]

"Sent back to the factory for recertification" consists of well sending a harness back to the factory that made it so that it can be put through stress tests and be inspected by a professional to determine if it is in condition stop a future high impact fall.

I was asking what re-cert consists of specifically, not sending it back, as depending on what is done a person could just as easily do it themself same as servicing their car. Not everyone has the tools or inclination though. It could just be a visual inspection ticklist along with a partial weight test.

[Voshkm]

I guess in your terms Recert would mean that the manufacture after testing and examination is willing to put themselves at liability risk in claiming that it will perform as originally intended and specified. I strongly disagree that an untrained non-professional without testing equipment or proper insurance could make that determination and provide acceptable certification. That's like saying anybody that can find his way to capitol pk should be able to climb it safely if he is willing. Training although often over rated does mean something.

[TallGrass]

I guess in your terms Recert would mean that the manufacture after testing and examination is willing to put themselves at liability risk in claiming that it will perform as originally intended and specified. I strongly disagree that an untrained non-professional without testing equipment or proper insurance could make that determination and provide acceptable certification. That's like saying anybody that can find his way to capitol pk should be able to climb it safely if he is willing. Training although often over rated does mean something.

I don't see how having "proper insurance" affects a person's ability to inspect. It's highly unlikely the one re-certing originated the standards, so if he could learn it as a side task to his main job, so could anyone else. I'd expect it's something like "check for excessive fraying, discoloration, tears, distortion... weight test X, Y & Z to ###lbs... tag as re-cert'ed." Keep in mind that safety checks are (supposed to be) done each day on the semi by driver per their CDL prior to taking ## tons onto the road with the rest of us without any additional "training" outside a book and road test -- it's not a high bar to reach just to follow an inspection list.

[Dave B]

I don't think most manufacturers will recertify a harness. At least in my n=1 experience with BD, when I tried to get a repair on a harness due to a few loose bar tacks on the belay loop, they told me they wouldn't do it.

Instead they sent me a coupon for 50% off a new harness.

Even without a coupon, new harnesses aren't that expensive, so buying a new one is better than risking your life. That, or wear two for redundancy...

[polar]

I don't think most manufacturers will recertify a harness.

Voshkm is talking about industry harness, so probably very different practices and SOPs than recreational climbing harness.

[TomPierce]

I suspect the big difference is that a climbing harness is designed to work in a dynamic system, and should be able to take dozens if not hundreds of lead falls (but probably a very limited number of max >20Kn falls). I assume a commercial safety harness is designed for a more static system, although I vaguely recall seeing Screamer-like load limiters for such systems in an old Petzl catalog.

But hey, that's a guess, I'm no expert on such systems.

-Tom

[Rich H]

I don't think most manufacturers will recertify a harness. At least in my n=1 experience with BD, when I tried to get a repair on a harness due to a few loose bar tacks on the belay loop, they told me they wouldn't do it.

Instead they sent me a coupon for 50% off a new harness.

Even without a coupon, new harnesses aren't that expensive, so buying a new one is better than risking your life. That, or wear two for redundancy...

I couldn't agree more. Harnesses are rather cheap when it comes down to it at least when compared to all the other climbing gear. I work with Todd Skinner's brother so I always have that constant reminder.

[polar]

That's about a guy using a harness with "leg loops looking worn out" and a belay loop that was frayed “15 to 20 percent," not about a NOS harness in good condition.

"A GUY"? Wow, I knew LongWeed doesn't know much about climbing, but it still surprised me that he would call Todd Skinner "a guy".