What item can transform the average person into the "outdoorsy" type when used as a keychain? What item can be used to suspend yourself from a rocky ledge with...clip your waterproof bag to your kayak...hang your duffel bag from your tank...keep your shoes together?
The carabiner just might have changed our lives for the better. I use mine to attach my car keys to the deck rigging of my kayak when I'm out (that's how much I trust it) and I have suspended myself from a cliff several times with only an eight foot length of line, a carabiner, and a rappelling line to keep me from a perilous tumble.
Wikipedia defines a carabiner as: A carabiner (/kærəˈbiːnər/) or karabiner is a metal loop with a sprung or screwed gate that is used to quickly and reversibly connect components in safety-critical systems. The word comes from "Karabinerhaken", meaning "hook for a carbine" in German. There all many types: non-locking, bent gate, straight gate, wire gate, locking gate, screw-type gate, and twist-lock. You can purchase them at your local hardware store, marine supply store, discount store, dollar store, you name it. My favorite colors for a carabiner are orange and green but they come in just about any color you can imagine.
So for about a buck for a simple carabiner...just grab one in your favorite color next time you are in the store. You never know when you'll need it or when you will find a new use for it. To use the old cliche it's better to have and not need than need and not have. I'd definitely rather have a few around just in case (and the kids will love them). Bonus: the blue or red will go nicely with your favorite cargo pants and Keens.
TIP: Encourage problem solving and resourcefulness. Pick up a few of those 1$ carabiners next time you stop into the dollar store for your kids. Next time you head out on an adventure have them simply hook them to their belt loops...and wait...before you know it they will find all sorts of ways to utilize their new carabiner!
NOTE: Please remember to use properly certified carabiners if you are using them for climbing or any other task that might be safety related (Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard 1910.66 App C Personal Fall Arrest System which specifies "drop forged, pressed or formed steel" construction and a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbf (22 kN)).
SAFETY NOTE: When diving a non-locking carabiner is never, ever recommended due to it's potential for snagging.
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