HOW TO SANITIZE YOUR GEAR
BY MORGAN TILTON
An array of solutions exist to help keep gear clean and COVID-free,
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though there is no silver bullet. Operators in the aerial adventure industry are grappling with the reality of COVID-19 and the sanitation measures needed to stem transmission of the virus. Countless touchpoints and shared equipment—such as harnesses and helmets—made of materials that can’t just be cleaned with any ol’ chemical puts sanitizing and disinfecting at the top of the list of challenges to overcome as restrictions ease and doors gradually reopen. Many park owners must consider a spectrum of guidelines including city, county, state, or national mandates—some more strict than others. Some jurisdictions choose to carry absolutely no coronavirus safety requirements at all.
There is one unified conclusion among experts, though, regarding park sanitization: there is no blanket solution that will work for every single park, piece of equipment, and installation.
THE SIMPLEST SOLUTION? Soap and water have long been the recommended cleaning agent for aerial operations, and that hasn’t changed with COVID-19. A gentle wash with lukewarm water and soap can clean harnesses and a variety of surfaces and remove the threat of coronavirus. International Safety Components (ISC), for example, which designs and manufacturers work-at-height safety equipment for a variety of industries, recommends
cleaning its products with soap or mild detergent and water that is 104ºF. Then, most sources agree, the gear should be rinsed with cold water and airdried in a well-ventilated area. It should be put back into use only after it is thoroughly dry. That can take several hours or a day, of course, which has its limitations. But even if washing is doable, there’s no hard conclusion on the quantity and type of soap or duration of washing, says Edelrid distributor and Tree-mendous CEO Gerhard Komenda. Another option may be to simply let the gear dry if it’s damp from sweat or rain, and thus allow any coronavirus to die. Unfortunately, there’s little agreement
