In 2009, a study by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital revealed that injuries reported among mountain and rock climbers had increased as much as 63% between 1990 and 2007. As both a sport and recreational activity, rock climbing is enjoyed by millions of people of all ages throughout the United States, and as that number has grown with the popularity of this and similar activities, more people have been treated in emergency rooms for fractures and other injuries. Obviously, such injuries can be prevented with substantial training and supervision, as well as the use of proper equipment.
Unfortunately, even the best equipment isn’t always good enough, especially if it hasn’t been manufactured to the highest standards. This week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has identified one such piece of equipment in the Easy Go XP Lock Via Ferrata Lanyards, manufactured by Liberty Mountain. Liberty and the CPSC have announced the voluntary recall of these lanyards because the elastic webbing may not hold up well over time, causing them to snap and break during use. Should a lanyard break during use, a climber could fall and experience serious injuries or even death.
The Easy Go XP Lanyards were sold at nationwide climbing and outdoor recreational stores, as well as on major retail websites like Amazon, between April 2011 and August 2012 for approximately $120. While there have been no reported issues of the lanyards breaking or injuries yet, Liberty Mountain officials are still urging climbers and consumers to stop using the lanyards immediately. According to the CPSC, the specific lanyards can be identified by “two elasticized webbing branches with self-locking carabiners at each end. Recalled units can be identified by the elasticized webbing. ‘EASY GO XP LOCK’ is printed on a white tag sewn into the zipper pouch.”
Consumers should contact the Utah-based Liberty Mountain at (800) 366-2666 to secure a free replacement or full refund.