What signs indicate a carabiner should be retired from service?

• A. Gate play or cross-load marks, cracks or deformation, rust, or non-snap closures; any visible wear
• B. The color has faded
• C. It is older than five years
• D. It has a small mark of dirt

Answer: (A)

In equipment safety, the focus is on visible wear and damage that can weaken a carabiner or make it operate improperly. The best signs to retire a carabiner are when you see gate play or cross-load marks, cracks or deformation, rust, or a non-snap closure—basically anything that shows the device isn’t locking or carrying load as it should. Gate play means the gate can move or open when it shouldn’t, increasing the risk of unclipping. Cross-load marks indicate the load wasn’t along the intended axis, which can overstress parts of the carabiner. Cracks or deformation are clear red flags of compromised strength. Rust shows corrosion that weakens metal, and a non-snap closure means the gate won’t stay closed, a definite safety hazard. If you notice any of these, retire the carabiner from service.

Cosmetic factors like color fading, being older than a certain age, or a small dirt mark don’t reliably reflect structural safety. They don’t indicate whether the metal is weakened or the gate will function correctly, so they’re not sufficient reasons to retire by themselves.