Dynamic ropes
• Use of dynamic ropes
This product may be used only by persons who are duly acquainted with the methods of belaying and use of dynamic ropes. Dynamic ropes are designed to secure persons during ascent and descent in mountaineering and indoor climbing dynamically. In combination with a complete belaying system, they are capable of arresting the free fall of the user with a limited impact force.
Check before use that the rope is compatible with the remaining parts of your equipment. The manufacturer recommends to test the whole equipment in a safe place with no risk of fall.
• Types of dynamic ropes and their permitted use
Ropes can be divided into several rope systems in accordance with the label data:
Single rope – dynamic mountaineering rope capable of being used singly, as a link in the safety chain, to arrest a person’s fall.
Half rope – dynamic mountaineering rope which is capable, when used in pairs, as a link in the safety chain to arrest a person’s fall with a limited impact force. THE ROPE STRANDS MUST NOT GO THROUGH COMMON BELAYING ELEMENTS.
Twin rope - dynamic mountaineering rope which is capable, when used in pairs and parallel, as a link in the safety chain to arrest a person’s fall with a limited impact force. THE ROPE STRANDS MUST GO THROUGH COMMON BELAYING ELEMENTS.
Half ropes and twin ropes must not be used as single ropes. In case of increased danger by falling stones or impossibility of good belaying, a half rope or twin rope system shall be used.
• Recommended accessories for use in belaying system
When purchasing safety and belaying accessories, always make sure that the accessories have all requisites and required properties. Each belaying and handling element in the climber-rope-belaying device chain must comply with the relevant European or UIAA standard. Never use a separate textile sling directly, without a karabiner, as a progressive belaying element. In case of a fall, the rope would immediately burn through or the belaying sling would burst as a result of rubbing between the rope and the sling.
Warning: A small diameter of ropes requires increased caution when using the belaying device (for belaying, rappelling, fall arresting, etc.). The ropes TENDON Master with a diameter smaller than 9.5 mm (for instance, TENDON 9.2 Master and TENDON 9.4 Master) may be used for these purposes only with corresponding belaying devices that are declared by the manufacturer as suitable for use with this diameter of ropes.
• Cleaning, maintenance, influence of chemicals and disinfection of ropes
Contaminated ropes may be washed manually in lukewarm water with a temperature not exceeding 30 °C (86 °F). For better effect, soap or soapflakes may be added. After that, flush the ropes carefully with clean water and let them dry up in a dry shady place.
Dynamic ropes shall not be allowed to come into contact with any chemicals. The rope damage is mostly not evident. .Do not use a rope contaminated with a chemical substance any longer. For disinfection of dynamic ropes, use a weak 1% solution of potassium permanganate.
• Life span
If all general instructions for safe use of dynamic ropes are observed, the following tentative life span data may be recommended:
Intensive – everyday use (sport climbing, mountain guides, artificial walls) less than 1 year
Regular – weekend use (year-round) 1 year to 2 years
Regular – weekend use (seasonal) 2 to 3 years
Occasional use (recreational, once a month) 3 to 5 years
Sporadic use - 5 to 7 years
Unused rope - 10 years maximum
For TOP ROPE belaying, a specially developed indoor rope shall be used. Selection of the proper rope type for a specific application provides for longer life span of the rope.
The manufacturer forbids to use the rope after it has arrested a long and hard fall. Such a rope must be withdrawn from use immediately.
Check your equipment regularly. Other reasons for rejection of the rope are damaged fibres of the rope sheath (at own discretion), hard spots under the rope sheath indicating the possibility of local damages, clusters of fused fibres in the rope sheath, direct contact with open flame, more than 10 years passed since the rope was produced.
Rope age identification:
There is an identification tape or marker thread inside the rope. The identification tape contains the following information repeatedly: rope manufacturer, standard used for testing, number of certification laboratory, UIAA, year of manufacture.
The colour marker thread identifies the calendar year of manufacture of the rope:
2002 red/green, 2003 red/black, 2004 green, 2005 blue, 2006 yellow, 2007 black, 2008 red/yellow, 2009 blue/yellow, 2010 green/yellow, 2011 black/yellow, 2012 red/blue
Note: Every manufacturer uses an own system of colour marking!
• Adverse effects on the life span of dynamic ropes (influence of moisture and ice)
A wet or frozen rope has significantly reduced dynamic properties and strength, especially its strength in knots drops. Rubbing against rock, karabiners or other sharp edges is the most frequent way of mechanical damage to the rope. Dust penetrating into the rope structure in the presence of moisture causes slow wear of the rope. If possible, always use a packaging for the rope. Rubbing and subsequent thermal effects during rappelling and lowering may damage the rope sheath and reduce its strength and life span.
• Danger of sharp edges
Do not use the rope after a fall over a sharp edge any longer.
• Influence of storage and influence of use ageing
Dynamic ropes shall not be stored close to heat radiators and other heat sources as well as in direct sunlight (THIS APPLIES TO SHOP WINDOWS ALSO). Storage room humidity and temperature should be about 60% and 25 °C, respectively (recommended values). Dynamic ropes shall not be allowed to come into contact with any chemicals (as organic chemicals, oils, acid) or their vapours. If they come into contact with the above chemicals, do not use them any longer.
• Instructions to users:
The manufacturer shall not be held responsible for any damage, injury or death caused by irregular use of this product.
Advice and instructions related to safe behaviour in mountaineering can be obtained from the Safety Committee of the relevant national Alpinist Association. Do never forget that mountaineering and climbing sports are risky activities. Both the manufacturer and the distributor shall not be held responsible for the way the ropes are used. The label of every rope specifies the rope system in which the rope may be used (single, half, twin). The user is obligated to inspect the rope prior to use, after use and after any extraordinary event. When in doubt about the condition of the rope, do not use it any longer.
• Shrinkage is a physical property of polymer (polyamide). The shrinkage of ropes may make up to 5% of length depending on conditions of use, frequency of washing, thermal stress. The user should measure the length of the rope immediately after buying it, later complaints will be rejected.
• Rope inspection:
Examine the rope visually and by touch after every climbing day, after every heavier fall, after every climbing activity if you use crampons and ice-axe.
In case the dynamic rope is being used for construction works at height or rescue activities, it has to be examined by a competent person authorized by the manufacturer at least once every twelve months.
The manufacturer shall not be held responsible for any accident which was caused by the use of a damaged rope which was to be withdrawn from use.
Ropes withdrawn from use must be marked or deteriorated in a way which will guarantee that further use of the ropes will be made impossible.
