Petzl LASER SONIC User Manual

Page 3

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Notice P70 LASERSONIC réf. : P70500-B

(GB) Ice screw
Limitations on use

Petzl Charlet ice screws conform to the safety

requirements of the 89/686/CE directive on

personal protective equipment (PPE) and to the

UIAA requirements with the exception of the 100

mm versions (ice screws for direct aid only, not

intended for protection against falls from height).

Nomenclature of parts

(1a) Attachment point only,

(1b) Attachment point with integral rotating

crank, (2) Tube, (3) Drill bit.

Principal materials: chrome molybdenum steel.

Checking, points to verify

Before each use, carry out a visual check of the

condition of the ice screw. If you note any cracks,

twisting of the tube, deformation of the drill bit

or any other structural anomaly, do not use the

ice screw.

Diagram 1. Maintenance

After each use, dry out your ice screws.

Spray with a lubricant in order to prevent

corrosion and facilitate clearing of the tube.

Regularly check the sharpness of the teeth of the

drill bit and sharpen them carefully as necessary.

Use only a fi le, taking care not to modify the

geometry of the cutting edges. Sharpening is a

delicate operation, carrying the risk of noticeably

affecting the performance of your ice screws.

Instructions for use

Diagram 2. Strength

The CE directive requires a minimum pull-out

strength of 10 kN. The UIAA requires a minimum

of 15 kN. Do not confuse the strength of the

screw under testing conditions with the holding

power of the screw under actual conditions of

use. The latter can vary according to the quality

of the ice. In general, the quality of the ice

improves with depth.

Diagram 3. Placement

Choose the thickest and most homogeneous

ice possible. Choose the length of the ice screw

according to the thickness. WARNING, do not

force if the ice screw touches the rock as this can

seriously damage the drill bit.

Diagram 4. Advice on placement

Clean away poor ice or unconsolidated surface

ice in order to fi nd homogeneous, solid ice.

Position yourself in order to have the elbow bent

at 90° and the hand at hip level. This is optimal

for effi cient application of force and precision.

Use the rule of three to start:

- strike three times (position of the tube at 90°),

- turn three times “there and back“, clear the tube

if necessary,

- Make three complete turns clockwise.

Screw in the ice screw completely, as far as the

attachment point, with the aid of the crank. A

continuous cylinder of ice should emerge from

the screw.

Place an ice screw immediately upon leaving the

belay to reduce the fall factor. Aim to reduce the

potential impact force on the ice screw by careful

management of the path followed by the rope.

Use a NITRO energy absorbing quickdraw to

reduce the impact force.

Our ice screws have a polished fi nish to refl ect

the solar radiation as much as possible, so

reducing heating of the metal. WARNING over a

long period of exposure to the sun’s rays (top-

rope anchors for example) the holding power

of the ice screw can be reduced (because of the

heating effect).

Diagram 5. Removal

Turn the screw manually in an anticlockwise

direction. The LASER SONIC is impossible to drop

on removal as long as it remains attached to the

rope.

Remove the cylinder of ice inside the screw

(blocking the tube of the screw) by tapping the

attachment point, straightaway if possible. Never

tap on the threads as this can cause damage.

If the ice cylinder is jammed in, use the

MULTIHOOK threading tool, without scratching the

inside of the tube.

Carrying (walking in and out)

Replace the end covers after use to protect the drill

bit as well as the rest of your equipment which

could be damaged by the sharp teeth. Use of a

storage bag (e.g. FAKIR) is recommended.

(GB) ENGLISH

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