The latest news on perma-draws is just a reminder the risks we take when we assume sport routes are safe as houses. These bits of kit can see a lot of traffic and the wear can leave sharp edges on the rope karabiner leading to rope failure or even failure themselves, with obversely devastating consequences if you should fall on it. The recent BMC Technical Committee report hi-lights what can go wrong when climbers don’t check this kit before using it, and knowing of course when to back off can save your life! This follows a recent incident where a climber in Switzerland suffered a fatal ground fall when his rope was cut, and there has been other incidents where climbers have had their ropes severed but escaped with non fatal injuries. In these cases their ropes were cut by sharp edges cut into permanent quick draws by general wear. Take care!