Accident Kaymoor NRG

I wanted to let everyone on this site know about an accident that took place at the NRG last weekend. There is a thread on rc.com ( rockclimbing.com/cgi-bin/fo…;post=2348785;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; ) with the same title as this thread that discusses the details. Like most rc.com threads, it degenerates quickly, but the first page includes a very "good" explanation of what happened. It involves the use of a Petzl String and how one can inadvertently unclip the biner from the sling.

I have been climbing for over 15 years, and never heard of this one before. On the off chance that others might be in the same boat as me, I thought that I would cross-post.

To all who knew the victim I offer my sincere condolences.

Wow. The video on the first page is very much worth watching.

In industry, there is a report of a heli operation that had the rubber keeper in between and connecting the two harness attachment points. Instead of the two attachment points clipped to each other and using the rubber as a keeper. I can't recall if the person rigged their own PPE, or if it were supposedly pre-rigged. Once the person weighted the system, they snapped the rubber and fell.

A couple lessons I took away were to know how to properly rig & inspect my personal equipment, and be able to recognize and inspect what others are doing with their rigging.

I think that, distilling all of the variables down, we can safely say that it is not a good idea to use those Petzl strings on loose runners; they are intended for use with dogbones.

NC Rock Climber - thanks for posting this up

I had no idea about the rubber string issue, and I've been climbing for 8 years ish, so I'd assume others don't know as well. The UKclimbing video is quite important and straightforward - take a minute to watch it and it will give a clear example

http://www.ukclimbing.com/videos/play.php?i=20

Mark Nelson wrote:A couple lessons I took away were to know how to properly rig & inspect my personal equipment, and be able to recognize and inspect what others are doing with their rigging.

Agreed on the lessons. Also, when connecting directly to the bolts at the top of a sport climb I ALWAYS (one of the few instances that I would use that word when talking about climbing) test my connection to the anchor with full body weight before I start removing gear and preparing to be lowered off.

1st: my sincere condolences to the family.2nd: It's amazing, although, not unusual, how strong the husbands faith in God is!