Climber shank and sleeves should be inspected for which of the following?

• A. Cracks, cuts, and/or marks
• B. Rust
• C. Missing screws
• D. Dirt

Answer: (A)

Shank and sleeves are critical load-bearing parts, so you inspect them for any signs that the metal has been stressed or damaged. Cracks are the clearest red flag: a small crack can grow under load and cause sudden failure. Cuts or gouges create stress risers that can propagate into a bigger defect, and marks from impacts or deformation can indicate the component has been compromised or misaligned. Any of these signs means the piece should be removed from service and replaced.

Rust can signal corrosion, which weakens metal, but it’s not as direct a sign of imminent failure as cracks or gouges. Dirt might hide damage, but it doesn’t indicate structural integrity on its own. Missing screws point to a different issue entirely and aren’t the primary indicators of shank or sleeve integrity.