Carabiners, gate clips and "suicide clips"

[Splitlip]

I have sen a number of posts here with folks using carabiners. Rather than appear to be flaming, I thought would suggest here in this forum that alternatives be considered.

The term sucide clip is a rather extreme term. The incidents of unplanned line intrusion into gate clips that I have seen thus far can pretty much be classified as "inconveniences". (A buddy once had the float line get hooked on the gate clip of his retractror!)
The potential for catastrophy I suppose is quite unlikely, but why not mitigate that potential by using bolt snaps or other alternatives.

The paragraph below is clipped from the description of John Ormsby's 1985 death during a Doria penetration in the book Deep Decent.

Gentile then noticed that a cable had been snagged by a brass spring-gated clip, or "suicide clip," that Ormsby had rigged to his harness to hang tools from. It was a telling moment for Gentile. He now knew what had happened to Ormsby. The cable that snaked up his leg to his back must have prevented Ormsby from escaping, causing him to struggle and entangle himself even more.

If any are interested, a link to more of the story.
Simon & Schuster: Deep Descent: Adventure and Death Diving the Andrea Doria (Trade Paperback) - Read an Excerpt

[Soonerwink]

I currently use 2 cheap caribiners and after reading this thread you have conviced me to get rid of them and use other alternatives. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

[Steve Scuba]

Hmmm. I too use cheapo aluminum caribiners. I think I might be looking for an alternative method sometime very soon.

[Daved]

I use a couple of locking carabiners. They prevent unwanted entry of anything and still can be used with one hand.

[Soonerwink]

Originally Posted by Daved

I use a couple of locking carabiners. They prevent unwanted entry of anything and still can be used with one hand.

I have never tried the ones that lock, thats a good idea.

[Clanggedin]

Locking carabiners are the only way to go unless you are lead climbing.

[comet24]

I not a fan of them but have used them at times. You need to look at the diving your doing and where you used the clip. If I am jumping in the quarry and a reef I might consider it although I am really moving away from them at all. Never for a wreck or any kind of penetration.

[texdiveguy]

I only use bolt snaps,,,either swivel or double ended.

[bubble-head]

Bolt snaps are the way to go. I get stainless steel ones from Lowes and they hold up exceptionally well.

[mm_dm]

Bolt snaps for me. Stainless steel.