Fall Factor
It is often the case, especially with new climbers, that we think of our equipment as un-breakable, protection is described as bombproof and our rope or runners snapping is, well, unthinkable. Falling off? No problem!
Or it is? Depending where your gear is, what state your rope's in and how far above your last runner you are none of the common assertions about unberakable gear are valid. In suitable situations your belay device might not stop the rope slipping, the webbing on the extender could snap or, if they don't your skeleton could be shattered instead. Nice!
All of this depends on Fall Factor - something that every climber needs to be aware of. Thankfully, Petzl (makers of the marvellous Zoom headtorch) have a clearly explained and illustrated guide!
