bc Soft Shackle Made in the USA Dyneema Rope Soft Connector Instructions for handling and use - Please read in full before using this device

bc Soft Shackle Made in the USA Dyneema Rope Soft Connector Instructions for handling and use - Please read in full before using this device

Index 1.) Introduction 2.) Warnings / General Use Guidelines 3.) Technical specifications / Nomenclature 4.) Installing the Soft Shackle 5.) Suggested Uses 6.) Hardware Connections 7.) Soft Connections 8.) Misuse Guidelines 9.) Thanks

Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Balance Community Soft Shackle! This connector made from high strength Dyneema 12-strand rope is a super lightweight replacement for steel or aluminum connectors used in slackline rigging. It s an advanced rigging tool, so please read these instructions thoroughly and completely. If you have any questions about using your device, visit our website on the bottom of this page, or contact us through email or phone. Thanks again and enjoy! Breakage Hazard Never rig your system so that the Soft Shackle is forced against something that could break any fibers of the Dyneema Rope. Leverage Hazard A Soft Shackle or other equipment can lever against a connector (such as a carabiner or shackle) and break it, opening the connector and allowing the Soft Shackle to fall out. Guard against this at all times! Environmental Factors Moisture, ice, salt, sand, snow, chemicals and other factors can prevent proper operation or can greatly accelerate wear. Inspection Before, During, & After Use Check all parts for deformation, corrosion, wear, etc. Verify that the noose opens properly & the knot has not loosened. Regulary inspect and monitor your system, confirming proper connections, equipment position, fully locked connectors, etc. Intended Use This Soft Connector should only be used with energy absorbing systems such as dynamic webbings, energy absorbers, etc. & slack must be kept out of the system to prevent high impact falls. It is intended for use by medically fit, specifically trained and experienced users. Training Thorough and specific training is absolutely essential before use. Being at height is dangerous and it is up to you to reduce the risks as much as possible, but the risks can never be eliminated. There are many ways to misuse this soft shackle, too many to list or imagine. You must personally understand and assume all risks and responsibilities of using this soft shackle. If you cannot or do not want to do this, do not use this soft shackle. Compatibility Verify compatiblity with other components of your system. Incompatible connections can cause detachment, breakage, etc. Repairs or Modifications Are only allowed by the manufacturer or those authorized in writing by the manufacturer. Lifetime 10 years maximum, but will often be much less depending on conditions and use; it could even be a single use in some cases. Retire from Service & Destroy if it: 1.) Is significantly loaded. 2.) Does not pass inspection or there is any doubt about its safety. 3.) Is misused, altered, damaged, exposed to harmful chemicals, etc. 4.) Noose or Knot are damaged or altered. Consult the manufacturer if you have any doubts or concerns. Maintenance & Storage Clean if necessary with fresh water, then allow to dry completely. Store in a dry place away from extremes of heat and cold and avoid chemical exposure. Stay Up To Date! Regularly go to our website and read the latest user instructions.

Warnings / General Use Guidelines!! NEVER!! GO ABOVE THE WORKING LOAD LIMIT Mix with harmful chemicals Bleach / Chlorine / Sulphuric Acid Use your soft shackle if it is damaged Use your soft shackle after it has seen loads beyond the WLL Leave tensioned overnight Tension with the noose not properly cinched AVOID Contact with rocks or hard objects Use without adequate training Use with incompatible gear Use in harsh environments Storing without protecting ALWAYS Check for damage before use Store in a cool and dry location Dry your soft shackle before storing it Keep your soft shackle clean Cinch the noose against stopper-knot (milk) before tensioning the line! WARNING!! For Expert Use Only These activities are inherently dangerous and carry a significant risk of injury or death that cannot be eliminated. It is the user s responsibility to obtain specific training and to use it safely. These instructions DO NOT tell you everything you need to know. Do not use unless you can and will understand and assume all risks and responsibilities for all damage/injury/death that may result from use of this equipment or the activities undertaken with it. Any device is subject to failure: carefully check before and after each use. You must always have a backup: never trust a life to a single tool. Everyone using this equipment must be given and thoroughly understand the instructions and refer to them before each use. You must have a rescue plan and the means to implement it. Inert suspension in a harness can quickly result in death! Do not use around electrical hazards, moving machinery or near sharp edges or abrasive surfaces. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect or accidental consequences or damage resulting from the use of our products Neither the manufacturer nor the vendor can be held liable for direct or indirect physical, property, consequential or collateral damage arising from the use of this device. Use this device at your own risk!

Technical Specifications / Nomenclature Mechanical Specs Construction Specs MBS 72.0 kn (16,186 lbf) Material Dyneema SK78 WLL 12.0 kn (2,760 lbf) Line Size 1/4 (6.0mm) Weight 34g (4.0 ) / 54g (8.0 ) Knot-Type Button Knot Indv. Tested 26.7 kn (6,000 lbf) Sleeve Mat. 48-Carrier Dyneema SK75 Dimensions 5/8 Dia. x 4.0 (or 8.0 ) Abrasion Res. Excellent Material 100% Dyneema UV Res. Excellent Noose Shackle Body Stopper Knot Protective Sheath

Installing the Soft Shackle Step 1 Open the noose on the soft shackle by sliding the protective sleeve back and then sliding the inner leg through the outer leg towards the noose, making the hole bigger. Step 2 Pass the stopper-knot through the noose to open the soft shackle. Step 3 Pass the soft shackle between the objects you would like to connect. Make sure you pad the edges if they are sharp. NOTE: Ensure the protective sleeve is in contact with both connections. Do not put the raw soft shackle against anything! Step 4 Re-open the noose. Step 5 Insert the stopper-knot into the noose and position the noose directly underneath the knot. There should be a visible slot from when the knot was set. Step 6 Milk the shackle towards the noose to ensure the legs are of equal length. Do this by running your hand down the length of the shackle starting at the knot and working your way towards the noose.

Installation Notes!! Danger!! Avoid any and all sharp objects when using Soft Shackles. If the object you are connecting to does not have rounded edges, then DO NOT use a Soft Shackle to connect to it.!! Danger!! Ensure protective Dyneema sleeving is in contact with all components connected to the Soft Shackle. Do not connect anything directly to the raw Soft Shackle material.!! Danger!! Ensure the noose of the Soft Shackle sits directly under the stopper knot before putting any load on the shackle. DO NOT allow noose to sit on the knot or slide up the body of the shackle.

Suggested Uses The Soft Shackle is an incredibly versatile connector that can replace steel and aluminum connectors in your setup, saving you a significant amount of weight. However, It is extremely important to know what you can and cannot attach your Soft Shackle to. There are some things that simply WILL NOT work with the Soft Shackle. PLEASE take the time to go through your system to see which components are compatible before adding any tension to the system. Approved Hardware Connections - Alpine WebLock 3.0 and higher - All stainless and rigging shackles larger than 1/4 (6.0mm) - All climbing / rescue rated carabiners - All quicklinks larger than 1/4 - SMC rigging plates - Rock Exotica rigging plates - Rock Exotica single and double pulleys - Glue-in climbing bolts - Any pulleys or hardware with a significant radius on all edges Approved Soft Connections - Purple, Green, or Blue Spansets - Static rope cordolette highline anchor Disapproved Connections - Any and all types of steel plates (rigging plates, webbing anchors, etc...) - Non-certified shackles or carabiners - Any material that will be rubbing on the Soft Shackle under tension - Anything else not explicity mentioned above DO NOT USE the Soft Shackle with any of the above mentioned items. These items can easily damage and destroy the Soft Shackle. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

Hardware Connections When using the soft shackle with hardware connections, ensure that the stopper knot of the soft shackle sits up against the hardware. Do not allow the stopper knot to float between the 2 connected pieces. Ensure that the protective sleeve is in contact with both connected pieces of gear. Do not allow the bare soft shackle to come in contact with the connected pieces.

Soft Connections Picture of sliding-x connection Ensure the protective sleeve is in contact with the entire soft connection. Do not allow the raw soft shackle to come in contact with any of the soft connection.

Misuse Guidelines Be aware of an unmilked protective sleeve! The sleeving should extend all the way to both ends of the soft shackle. Be aware of an unproperly installed noose! The noose should sit directly under the stopper knot. Be sure that you only use approved connections! Refer to previous pages for proper connections. Be aware of abrasion! The soft shackle should never be in contact with anything but the items it is connecting together. Be aware of where the stopper knot is before loading! It should always be right-up against a hardware connection and not floating between connections. Be aware of your system WLL! Do not ever exceed the WLL of your entire system! Remember that your WLL depends on the weakest link.

Thanks again for purchasing the Balance Community Soft Shackle. We appreciate that you have taken the time to read through these instructions and familiarize yourself with the vast utility of the amazing soft shackle. If you have any questions about the use of this device or any other slackline related inquires, feel free to contact us through any of the methods listed at the bottom of this page. Good luck out there and remember to keep it slack! -Balance Community Team Thanks More Resources: Slack Science - www.slackscience.com Soft Shackle product page - /soft-shackle-14 Balance Community Website -