Shibari suspension scenes offers various advantages in terms of safety, practicality and management of physical loads. Here are the reasons why the carabiner is used in this context and its relationship with physical rules:
Safety and Durability: Carabiners are made of high-strength metal and are designed to carry large loads. In suspension, it is necessary to securely fasten the ropes that carry the body weight. Carabiners are the ideal tools to carry this load safely.
Convenience and Speed: When choosing a carabiner, carabiners that can be opened and closed quickly and easily should be preferred. This speeds up the transitions and duration in the suspension scene. When you need to act quickly in an emergency, carabiners are easier to untie than ropes and knots.
Load Distribution and Weight Management: Carabiners help distribute the load better. In suspension, ropes and knots are stretched at more than one point, and each of these points is connected with a carabiner, allowing the load to be distributed evenly. This increases the security of both the person connecting and the person connecting.
Leverage Principle: Carabiners allow the ropes to be attached at a certain angle, creating an effect similar to the lever principle. This can help move the load more efficiently and reduce tension at the point of attachment of the ropes. The use of leverage allows you to move a large load with a small force, and the use of a carabiner supports this principle.
Movement and Flexibility: The carabiner allows the ropes to move more freely. This can increase the comfort of the person moving during suspension and prevent the ropes from being tightened incorrectly. It also contributes to less wear on the ropes and safer knots.
Physical Principles and Carabiner Use
Weight Reduction: The use of a carabiner allows some of the weight at the attachment point to be distributed in different directions. This prevents the ropes from accumulating excessive load at a single point and provides a more balanced load distribution.
Load Reduction: Carabiners help spread the load over a larger area. When the rope is tied directly to a point, that point is under great tension. The use of carabiners reduces this tension, making ropes and knots last longer.
The use of carabiners in suspension scenes offers many advantages in terms of safety, practicality and physical load management. This both increases the security of the person connecting and makes the job of the connector easier. So how to choose the right carabiner?
Choosing the Right Carabiner
Shibari suspension stages is very important for a safe application. Security carrier elements such as carabiners are sold by specifying the force calculation and strength rating in kN. Below are the things to consider when choosing a carabiner and the meaning of kN along with the recommended strength values.
What is kN (Kilonewton)?
- kN : Abbreviation for Kilonewton. 1 kN equals 1000 Newtons.
- Newton (N) : It is the unit of force. 1 N is the force that gives an acceleration of 1 m/s² to a mass of 1 kilogram.
- Practically : 1 kN represents a force of approximately 100 kg.
Carabiner Strength and Recommendations
Shibari suspensions must be high, because these carabiners must safely carry the weight of the human body. According to our calculations, we can make recommendations, taking into account the force and safety margin required for a load of 60 kg.
Calculation and Margin of Safety
- Load (W) : 60 kg
- Force (F) : 60 kg * 9.8 m/s² = 588 N
- Force on each rope (distribution using carabiners) : 588 N / 2 = 294 N (30 Kg)
According to these basic calculations, there will be 294 N of force in each rope. However, for safety reasons, a safety margin of at least 10 times this value is usually used.
- Safety Factor: 10
- Recommended Minimum Force (Fmin) : 294 N * 10 = 2940 N (approximately 3 kN)
Recommended Carabiner Strength
Carabiners are often selected based on higher strength standards:
- Minimum Strength : Must be at least 10 kN.
- Recommended Strength : 22 kN or more.
These values provide additional security and the safety of the carabiners during possible dynamic loadings (sudden movements, falls, etc.).
Why 10 kN and Above?
- Dynamic Loads : Sudden movements and load changes in the ropes can create forces much greater than static loads.
- Wear and Tear : Any wear that may occur during use should be taken into consideration.
- Multiple Use : When working with more than one attachment point and rope, the distribution of the load between carabiners and the forces to be applied at different angles.
The minimum recommended strength value for carabiners to be used in suspension scenes should be 10 kN, ideally 22 kN or above. This is necessary to ensure safety and to take into account possible dynamic loadings.
