What is the minimum breaking strength (MBS) of a general-use carabiner?

• A. 8000 lb
• B. 6000 lb
• C. 9000 lb
• D. 7000 lb

Answer: (C)

Minimum breaking strength is the load at which a carabiner is expected to fail. For general-use carabiners in rope rescue, manufacturers typically rate them around 9,000 pounds (about 40 kN). This level provides a robust safety margin to handle dynamic and peak forces that can occur during rescue rigging, falls, or redirecting loads. Lower ratings, such as 6,000 or 7,000 pounds, don’t meet the standard expectation for general-use rescue hardware and could compromise safety under heavy or dynamic loads. Always check the exact MBS on the specific carabiner you’re using, but the common general-use rating you’d expect is about nine thousand pounds.