I've been using screwgates for about 15 years, not always in tree work. I began as a rock climber, then industrial access, rescue etc. Never had a problem with one until a few months ago. I was doing a freehanging ascent and didnt have my hitch on a slack tender. Taking big jugging leaps forward. Took one jug, Slid the hitch up and it slid way up. Looked down at the beener and the hitch wasn't in it.
I couldnt let go of the rope with the right hand, couldn't pull down the hitch with the left as I slid it up too far. It was too far to get back into the beener. Ended up taking a rap round my foot and standing up on that, clipping in and then hanging for a while just to get over the moment.
Once is enough for me. I switched to tripple action the next day. Went and tried a few out and found I liked the action on the DMM the best. Only a couple months later, one of the springs that does the 'gate close' action has snapped. I think I'm going to have to switch to petzl.
Shaun
