D-Rings Da Ting

Submitted by Justin Jackson

Every soldier should have at least a couple of D-rings (carabiners) handy. I keep at least one dummy-corded to my IBA for those fun sensitive item checks.  In the meantime, they're not going anywhere. I also used to run my M-4 sling through the ring to make sort of a make-shift tac sling. I have a couple on the bottom of my assault pack that I hook my CLS bag to. I've even acquired one that has an LED light with three different color bulbs in it. With enough time, I could make or fix anything with a roll of 550 cord, a roll of 100 mph tape, and a couple D-rings.

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Comments

[Chainsaw]

While stationed in the Pacific I had to deploy the long way around (46 hrs) to the desert. I hooked all four of my bags together with locking "D"s before nodding of in the terminal. I was awakened 45 minutes later by a surprised young man as he picked up one bag and tried to walk off with it. The bags stayed, he ran. Every bag has its own carabiner when I travel.

[Andy]

Just a warning for those using Petzl brand 'biners, they recently issued a recall on their locking models which have a green safety release button . See my post at http://www.onefromtheroad.com/index.php?p=124 for info and link to the full recall notice.

--Andy

[Moritz]

With all due respect Gentlemen,
the carabiner pictured is not recommended for serious action. Choose a UIAA (International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation) certified model instead. Certified 'biners will withstand forces of at least 22 kN (about 2 tons) which makes them safe for rapelling and all kinds of other serious uses. Also, they cost only a buck or two more.

[gman]

first iwould like to say that your 550 idea was great infact me and my dad have done that befor. try using your d-ring as brass nuckles

[Dougherty]

Moritz has this one correct, i'll go one futher and say that anyone who uses a d-ring style with the knurlled screw fastener is a derlict. the army (can't speak for everyone) uses a standard snap-link which has no screw type wheel. Fobbits use this type above. a regular snap-link works too well to replace and can be snapped off very quickly. try getting this one off in a hurry. Two words, Air Assault!!

[SGTKinsella]

There are more uses for D-rings than just hanging them off your gear. Locking D's serve a specific purpose. I guess Dougherty doesn't do any climbing.

[J]

There are enough varieties of D rings out there the simple fact is that if you have them and they work you are better off.

There are at least 3 categories of locking D and O ring type of carabiners. Screws, quickscrews and snaplock would be the first 3 I think of. Snap or barral locks are somewhat dubious as being locked at all. Screw locks are slow and often get stuck which in climbing is not always a bad thing; but if you do have to remove them in a bad situation you may be in for an unpleasant ending.

Quick screw are a quarter to half turn twist type locking device that is both quick like the spring loaded barral snap type lock and affords some security that the 'biner will not open should you need it to stay closed (can you say hanging from a cliff going down to get your buddy that didn't use locked 'biners at all).

The quick snap (old school biners nomally do work but are not locking style biners and are not normally used anymore by anyone that would use them professionally. They work well for tying cargo down and on ruck sacks for holding extra rope. In a fix they even work for climbing but the risk is greater for not having the locking feature.

SAR/DR experience and experience abseiling with the BSA and British scouts says get the quick screw type for nearly everything.