Which of the following describes the proper verification step after a carabiner is hooked and locked?

• A. Visual inspection of the surrounding area
• B. Note the serial number
• C. Squeeze check it
• D. Test load by stepping on it

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is confirming the lock is truly engaged through a tactile check. After you hook and lock the carabiner, you give it a quick squeeze check: press on the locking sleeve and try to move the gate to open it. If the sleeve stays in place and the gate won’t open, the lock is solidly engaged. If the gate can be moved to open, re-seat and re-lock the carabiner before continuing. This small, hands-on test catches situations where the lock appears closed but isn’t fully secured.

Visual checks are still important for other aspects (like ensuring the gate is fully closed and the carabiner isn’t cross-loaded or misoriented), but the squeeze test is the specific verification step that confirms the locking mechanism is actually engaged. The other options aren’t relevant safety verifications: noting a serial number doesn’t assess security, and testing by stepping on it is unsafe and not part of proper procedure.