Instructions for Properly Maintaining Rope

Proper maintainance of climbing ropes is crucial for ensuring their durability and safety for users. Correctly storing climbing ropes can also help save costs by extending the lifespan of the product. 

1. Instructions for maintaining climbing ropes

Check your climbing rope regularly 

Regularly checking your climbing rope is essential so that you can identify any issues with the rope before use. Before climbing, you should: 

• Inspect the rope and run your fingers along the length of the rope. 
• Check for cuts, nicks, and abrasions on the outer sheath, as well as checking for any flattened or soft spots in the core of the rope. 
• A small fray or dirt mark may not be a big issue, but if you notice any significant damage, it's best to retire the rope.

Repair minor damages on the rope 

If a small section of the rope is damaged near the end, you can cut off the damaged portion and continue using the remainder of the rope. Here's how: 

• Use a sharp knife to cut off about 30 cm from the damaged area. 
• Using a lighter, melt and smooth out the strands at the end of the remaining section of rope. 
• Be sure to remember how much you cut off so that you know how much shorter the rope is now. Also, if your climbing rope has a middle mark, remember that it is now no longer in the middle.

Store your climbing rope 

When you're not using your climbing rope, proper storage is essential. One of the most common and straightforward ways to store a climbing rope is to keep it in a rope bag. The bag serves two purposes: it provides a convenient way to store the rope when not in use, and it helps keep the rope clean when climbing.

How to coil the rope and store it in a bag: 

• Open the rope bag and lay the tarp out. 
• Tie one end of the rope to the loop on the tarp. 
• Coil the rope around the top post of the tarp. 
• Once the rope is fully coiled, tie the remaining end to the other loop on the tarp (which is usually a different color so that you can easily find it). 
• Fold the edges of the tarp around the coil of rope, tie it closed, and put it into the bag.
• Tighten or secure the bag's opening.

When you're ready to climb, all you need to do is grab the rope bag and take it with you. While climbing, try to keep the unused portion of the rope on the tarp and away from dirt and debris.

Figure 1: Storing climbing ropes

Cleaning climbing ropes

No matter how hard you try to keep the cord clean, it will still get dirty. When you notice that your hands or protective gloves are sticky black after handling the rope, you should clean the cord, as this will help the cord work properly and increase the life of the rope. Here's how to clean climbing ropes:

• Hand wash the cord in the bath or in a large bucket; DO NOT put the cord in the washing machine.
• Use warm water and neutral soap (do not use detergent).
• Put the cord in a mesh bag to avoid tangles.
• Rinse the cord thoroughly, then squeeze out any dirty water.
• Repeat until the water is clear and clean.
• Unplug the rope, hang it up to dry and keep it out of the sun.

When should the cord be changed?

Your climbing rope won't last forever. Here is an estimate of how long it will take you to replace the wire:
• If you fall from a great height or the rope is severely damaged: get rid of it immediately.
• Regular use (weekly): 1 year.
• Regular use (several times/month): 1-3 years.
• Occasional use (1 time/month): 4-5 years.
• Rarely used (1 - 2 times/year): 7 years.
• Never used: 10 years.

Keeping a record of the date of purchase, usage, and the number and severity of falls in a notebook will help you determine exactly when you need to ditch your climbing rope.

Do's and Don'ts for climbing ropes

To get the most out of your climbing rope, read and keep the following in mind:
Things to do
Remove the new coil: Unless the cord is marked ready to use, you should remove it carefully. Thread your forearms through the coil, have a friend pull on one end as if pulling a pulley, and let the ropes stack naturally. This will keep the cord from tangling and knotting.
Untwist the rope: If your vines get twisted while climbing, let the ropes hang freely and untwist them by hand.
Use a rope bag: Between hikes, put the rope in a climbing rope bag for storage.
Use a tarpaulin: On climbing days, use a tarpaulin to keep the rope clean. Most lanyard bags have a tarpaulin wrapped on the inside.
Logbook: Record your rope usage in a notebook, especially when you fall.

Things not to do

Rubbing the 2 wires together: this will burn the wire and the sheath. You should especially avoid threading two ropes through the same top hanger, and never pull the safety harness directly against the lanyard.
Step on the rope: this will stain and damage the rope.
Nail holders and ice ax: Avoid damaging or breaking the cord.
Poor grounding or support: Too fast or jerky grounding, anchoring can damage the rope due to too much friction on the sheath, as well as making it harder to control the rope.

Figure 2: Siam Brothers Vietnam climbing rope products

2. Instructions for preserving sea-going ropes

Proper care of a marine rope is very important to ensure its safety and durability in saltwater environments.

Clean the rope after use

• After use, clean the rope with clean water to remove dirt, sand and salt particles that can cause damage.
• You can also use soap and water to clean the ropes, but make sure to rinse with clean water afterwards.

Dry the rope completely

• After cleaning, let the rope dry completely before storing.
• Do not store damp or wet ropes as this may cause damage and reduce rope strength.

Store rope in a cool and dry place

• Ropes should be stored in a cool and dry place to avoid moisture and mildew.
• Rope should not be stored in humid or high humidity environments as this may reduce the rope's strength.

Avoid sunlight and high temperature

• Ropes should be stored in a place away from direct sunlight and high temperatures to avoid reducing the rope's strength.
• If suitable storage is not available, pack ropes in a plastic bag or box to protect from the sun and high temperatures.

Check the rope regularly

The rope should be checked regularly to make sure it is not torn or damaged. If any problems are found, discontinue use and replace with a new cord.

3. Instructions for preserving Siam Brothers Vietnam ropes

The rope products of Siam Brothers Vietnam include: Chicken Rope, Thai Chicken Rope, Thai Pork Rope, Thai Rope, Thai Boat Lanyard, Offshore fishing net rope, nearshore fishing line, golden chicken wire, walrus rope (seahorse), ... On each stamp of Siam Brothers Vietnam packed in coils, there are instructions on how to preserve the rope, customers can refer to it for reference:

• Less than 80% of the standard breaking force should be used.
• Avoid contact with heat, fire and chemicals.
• Avoid sunlight if not used for a long time.