Do Whoopie slings fail?

**Trevlett** · 03-28-2011, 13:29

Hey guys!

I was wondering today if there has ever been a case of WS failure?

I dont remember ever having read anything...

Cheers
Trev

**tbctx** · 03-28-2011, 13:40

Not sure about a complete failure, I have had them slip if I forgot to "milk" the bury out before on more than one occasion.

**smalls** · 03-28-2011, 13:41

Any load bearing device *can* fail, but if it's made with Amsteel, I would think it would take quite a lot of abuse first. Several years of continuous weathering/sun/freezing would probably do it, or severe abrasion conditions. That is some seriously tough stuff. If used properly, with tree huggers to protect the rope from abrasion, and a nice smooth toggle, I'd be pretty darn shocked if one suffered an actual failure from the rope breaking.

I suppose there are other failure modes that could occur, simple slipping or something, but I've never read of one, and I've been doing a ton of reading on the advantages of various suspensions this month.

-Smalls

**texron** · 03-28-2011, 13:48

Originally Posted by tbctx

Not sure about a complete failure, I have had them slip if I forgot to "milk" the bury out before on more than one occasion.

Can you explain "forgot to milk the bury out" for me?

**ChrisH** · 03-28-2011, 14:19

Milking the bury means your're tightening the chinese handcuff effect on the sling. This makes it so the sling doesn't slip.

**Cranky Bear** · 03-28-2011, 14:43

I have 4 set's and none have failed yet!

**tbctx** · 03-28-2011, 15:20

As you adjust the length of your whoopie sling you do so by pushing in on one end of the bury or the other making the area where they are going through each other shorter. You milk it by holding 1 end and then running your fingers along its length to pull it back to full length for maximum grip, otherwise it will do it on its own dropping you slightly.