Many features of separation carabiners offer increased safety, but a safety check is essential when attaching the risers.
In the past there have been several unintentional Paralock releases that have ended without serious consequences. Recently, however, there was a fatal accident during a tandem flight in Italy, yet no evidence of product failure has been found.
The German air sports association DHV has carried out investigations in this regard and concluded that the Paralock 3 can be used safely provided that the prescribed safety check is carried out when attaching the risers.
However, design improvements are required and planned to reduce future risks when using the Paralock.
The cause of some of the unintentional releases of the Paralock 3 was that the foot accelerator lines were wrapped around the release button and the swivel lever was opened when the accelerator was operated. Our instructions in a safety notice to use the Paralock 3 only in blocked mode, even in mono use, were not followed in two cases. We will offer a good retrofit solution to prevent wrappings in early 2025. Paralocks that have not been retrofitted can be safely operated with the swivel lever blocked.
The Paralock's swivel lever principle requires the user to apply counter-pressure to the release button when attaching the glider in order to check that it is securely engaged. The fact that the Paralock swivel lever engages automatically in the locking position is a temptation to use the karabiner carelessly, and it cannot be ruled out that, for example, jammed lines or webbing will prevent it from locking automatically. The safety check is therefore essential. The DHV investigation makes this clear.
