Energy Absorbers

Energy absorbers are vital safety components found in climbing harnesses and lanyards. They play a crucial role in mitigating the impact forces generated during a fall.

Here’s a breakdown of their key functions:

• Impact Reduction: During a fall, the energy absorber deploys, stretching or tearing to absorb the force of the fall. This significantly reduces the peak impact force experienced by the climber, minimizing the risk of injuries like broken bones or internal organ damage.
• Activation: Energy absorbers are typically designed to activate only during falls exceeding a certain threshold force. This ensures they don’t hinder normal climbing movements.
• Types: The two most common types of energy absorbers are:
  • Tear-away Webbing: This type utilizes multiple layers of stitched webbing that tear progressively during a fall, absorbing energy. Once deployed, the lanyard becomes unusable and needs to be replaced.
  • Dyneema® Slings: These feature a high-strength, lightweight Dyneema® sling that stretches significantly under high force, absorbing energy without tearing. They may be reusable depending on the specific model and manufacturer’s guidelines.