Bring the apparatus to the point

Lower the point gently (ensure no one is underneath)

Swivel inspection:

• Test the swivel under load by spinning it; confirm no catches or grittiness

• Check the tape on both ends of the swivel — no metal should be visible

• Confirm the screw holding the swivel together is still covered and not protruding (this is the most common failure point).

Rope knot check:

• Ensure no white inner core is visible

• Ensure that the tail end of the knot is knotted around the rope (this acts as a “bumper” and protects the load bearing knot from wear and tear which happens when it hits the pulley)

Open the triple-action carabiner

Remove the weight. Place it on the ground. Don’t let go of the point. The weight of the rope can pull the point up to the ceiling - and that is very difficult to get back down.

Attach the apparatus.

Place the weight off to the side, without throwing it.

Silks: no knots or tears; holes larger than a dime are a problem

Hammock: no knots or tears; no holes larger than a dime; ensure both tails are at least 2 fist lengths from the point

Hoop: No visible wear or rips in the rope or span sets; the tape on the hoop should be intact, ideally

Rope: No signs of wear, rips longer than a half cm are a problem

Straps: All shackles are closed, all swivels checked like above, and all carabiners have the gate opening side facing down

Trapeze: No visible wear/rips in the ropes, tape on the bar looks to be in good shape, no knots in the rope.

Pull the apparatus up

You can softly bump the pulley at the top, but please ensure there’s always a bit of rope between the pulley and the point (otherwise it increases wear on the pulley!)

If rigging aerial rope lower 1-2 feet from the pulley (this is also for less impact on the apparatus)

One figure 8 without any locks

• Preferred to have the rope going to the point to be on the point’s side, not the wall side. It is still a safe tie-off on the wall side, but it’s a little harder to work with. This does mean you change the direction of your rig depending on which point you’re tying off

2 locked figured 8s on top, which get tightened

• Try to ensure that the direction of the figure 8 doesn’t change when you start adding locks - so if it’s coming up from the bottom right corner, the rope should next go to the top left. While it’s still technically safe if it does change direction, it is both harder to work with and slightly more wear on the rope.

“Why do we not lock all 3?”

• In case we need to lower a loaded point, we will have the points assistance instead of needing to fully lift the load

Taking down an apparatus

Lower the same way, but bring the weight with you to load the point

Bring the point back up (again, don’t tension against the pulley)

Tie off the same way as a live point

“Why do we still use the same tie-off as a live point, it doesn’t have to be locked and safe?”

• It builds stronger muscle memory so we’re more likely to do the correct approach always