Safety Alert - Petzl LONGLIFE first generation

Petzl LONGLIFE P38 type 1 anchors, sold between 1988 and 1991, to be replaced.

This safety alert follows feedback from a cliff in Sweden equipped with first generation (type 1) Petzl LONGLIFE anchors. During testing  of the equipment on this cliff, some of these anchors showed an axial resistance lower than 6kN. These anchors no longer have a sufficient safety margin to perform their function on all types of falls. This cliff was equipped with two types of  LONGLIFE; first generation (type 1) and second generation (type 2). Only  LONGLIFE type 1 showed a decrease in axial strength. To our knowledge, no incidents have been reported. This product has not been sold in The United States or Canada. 

Four types of LONGLIFE have been sold: only type 1 is affected by this alert. The different types of anchors can be identified from the photos below, by different markings:

Type 2 and 3 LONGLIFE have a different design that improves expansion compared to type 1.

Following this feedback, we ask clubs, federations, or any other organization responsible for equipping sites to replace any LONGLIFE  type 1 anchor still present in  the field. If you are an individual user, in the case of a site equipped with  LONGLIFE type 1 anchors, please stop your activity on this site and contact the organization in charge of carrying out replacement.

LONGLIFE type 2 and 3a/3b  anchors are not concerned by this alert. Nevertheless, we remind you that, as with any type of anchor,  annual and pre-use inspections are  necessary (surface degradation, wear, corrosion, deformation, cracks).

Photo credentials to Magnus Strömhäll, Kasper Ingelvide, Per Forsberg