We have a photo comparison of three lots of safety tape/slings.
The Palm Safety Tape which is 5m in length, the Whetman Python which is also 5m in length and the new Palm Cobra which is 4m in length. All three have been coiled up nice and tight without being ridiculous.
From left to right – Palm Safety, Whetman Python, and Palm Cobra. All are fitted with a DMM Boa.
The Safety Tape and Python are made from nylon. The Cobra is made from UHMWPE. Dyneema is a brand name that many may have heard of and it is UHMWPE. It is strong, doesn’t absorb much water and is light. It also cannot be dyed. The red you can see in the Cobra sling is probably nylon. This is used to help hold the UHMWPE together.
The Palm safety tape has a single loop for a carabiner with the other end running clean. The Whetman has a loop on one end for a carabiner and a steel ring sewn into the loop at the other end. The palm Cobra has a loop in both ends.
Comparison between the two Palms
Given that the safety tape is 1m longer than the Cobra there really isn’t much in it when looking at the size of the coils.
Comparison with the Whetman
The Whetman Python probably has the smallest circumference but height from the table is the same as the Palm Safety tape. The Cobra is clearly smaller but is 1m shorter.
In the PFD
The following PFD shots show each of the tapes in the front pocket of a Kokatat HustleR.
Of the three the Cobra is the one that takes the least amount of room. However it is the most difficult and time consuming to coil up and it doesn’t stay coiled. It is also 1m shorter than both the Safety Tape and Python.
Static breaking strength of each of these is 10kN. Whetman rates the tape itself as having a static breaking strain of 13kN. I couldn’t see the breaking strength of the 6mm steel ring.
I do have a number of Dyneema slings that I carry as part of my pin kit. I tend to store them as above. It’s worth noting that Dyneema tape cannot be easily/securely tied as the tape itself will slip under load. It has to be stitched.
For the Cobra I need to have a think about how I would carry it day to day in my PFD.
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