Back to the Product Catalog Rope & Webbing Choose a Different Catalog Section... Building Materials Construction/Specialty Tools Specialty Equipment Rope and Webbing Safety Equipment Climbing Gear Lighting Pulleys and Zip Brake Block Signs, Safety, and Element Pre-Built/Custom Items Rescue/First Aid Games and Initiatives Publications Toys for Boys and Girls ----------------------------------------------------- Extreme Series Hardware Teams Kit     Rope Info & Tips Choosing a Rope Fundamentally, the task of your rope is simple. It is the foundation of your protection system that provides the ultimate safeguard in case of a fall. An understanding of different rope designs and some basic terms will help you choose the proper rope. For climbing, choose a dynamic rope. These ropes (MAXIM) are designed to elongate (stretch) and absorb much of the shock associated with a fall. MAXIM ropes are tested and certified to meet the international standards set by UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme). We offer a variety of diameters and Iengths to fit your needs. For rappelling, caving rescue and many safety systems, high abrasion resistance and low stretch are desirable. In these applications, KM III Static ropes are the best product. Static ropes are designed to have a minimal amount of stretch and to be torque balanced to resist twisting in rappelling operations. The unique polyester cover of KM III provides superior abrasion resistance. In making your choice, be sure to feel the rope. Climbing ropes should be firm and round to resist abrasion, yet supple enough to be easily handled and avoid kinking. All of these ropes meet UIAA standards for knotability. How To Care For Your Rope New England Ropes takes great care in manufacturing ropes that are of the highest quality. It's a top priority that you treat your rope with the utmost respect! A few common sense rules will assist you in getting the best performance from our products in a safe manner. Proper care and preventative maintenance are essential factors in the safe use of rope in all applications. In order to get a long working life please consider the following: all synthetic fibers are prone to some degradation due to prolonged exposure to UV radiation. When ropes are not in use, store them in a cool, dry location away from direct exposure to sunlight. Certain chemicals, including battery acid fumes, can damage a rope without Ieaving any visible evidence. If chemical contamination is suspected, discard the rope immediately. Know and log the history of your rope from purchase through retirement. The shock of every fall that your rope absorbs affects its working life. Inspect all ropes frequently for signs of damage. Downgrade or retire any rope that has been subjected to severe falls or has been cut or severely abraded. It's impossible to generalize on the useful life span of your rope. Many variables must be considered when making a decision to retire it-frequency and severity of falls, abrasion to the sheath, climatic conditions, the type of rock and style of climbing you've been doing. REMEMBER: These are broad guidelines only. If there is any doubt about the quality or previous work history of a piece of rope, replace it immediately. Soiled ropes may be rinsed in lukewarm water, using a very mild (chemical free) soap and hung to drip dry out of the direct sunlight. Rope Safety Although the UIAA label assures the highest testing standards, it's important to practice intelligent protection techniques to minimize the chances of rope breakage. Consider protection and runner Iength carefully to prevent ropes from running over sharp edges. Be aware of the dangers of rock fall and stepping on the rope, especially with crampons. Use common sense-ultimately it's the responsibility of the end user to know the proper techniques for a particular application. Warning: Search and rescue as well as climbing operations are, by their very nature, potentially hazardous. Any person using these ropes is personally responsible for Iearning the proper techniques through personal instruction by qualified instructors well versed in all appropriate safety techniques and backup systems. How the UIAA Tests Ropes The ultimate test of a mountaineering rope is its ability to withstand the fall of a lead climber belayed by the rope passing through a carabiner located below him. The apparatus shown here is used to simulate this condition. For each test the rope must resist, without breaking, five successive impacts of an 80 kg weight for "single" ropes, or a 55 kg weight for "double" ropes. MAXIM was the first American made rope to receive UIAA certification Click here to return to the 'Building Materials' Product List.