AFC AFC Equipment & Apparatus Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended inspection frequency for aerial apparatus and rigging hardware in a professional aerial fitness studio?
- Monthly
- Annually
- Before each use (Correct answer)
- Every six months
Correct answer: Before each use
Aerial apparatus and rigging hardware should be visually inspected before each use to identify any wear, damage, or changes since the last session.
Question 2: Which knot is most commonly used to tie aerial silks to a rigging point for instructional classes?
- Square knot
- Clove hitch
- Lark's head (larks foot) (Correct answer)
- Bowline
Correct answer: Lark's head (larks foot)
The lark's head knot is the standard method for attaching aerial silks to a rigging point because it distributes weight evenly and is easy to inspect.
Question 3: When should aerial silks be retired from use?
- After 1 year regardless of condition
- When they show fraying, tears, or structural compromise (Correct answer)
- After 500 hours of use
- When they fade in color
Correct answer: When they show fraying, tears, or structural compromise
Aerial silks must be retired when they show signs of fraying, tears, or any structural compromise that could reduce their load-bearing capacity.
Question 4: What is the primary function of a 'rescue eight' or 'figure-eight descender' in aerial fitness?
- Decorative rigging hardware
- A controlled descent device for emergency lowering (Correct answer)
- Connecting two apparatuses
- Measuring apparatus height
Correct answer: A controlled descent device for emergency lowering
A figure-eight descender is a controlled descent device that can be used in emergency situations to safely lower an aerialist who is stuck or injured at height.
Question 5: What is the difference between a static and a dynamic load in aerial rigging?
- Static loads are heavier; dynamic loads are lighter
- Static loads are stationary; dynamic loads involve movement and impact forces (Correct answer)
- Static uses steel; dynamic uses aluminum
- Static rigging is temporary; dynamic is permanent
Correct answer: Static loads are stationary; dynamic loads involve movement and impact forces
Static loads are stationary weights, while dynamic loads involve movement, drops, and impacts that can multiply the effective force on rigging hardware several times.
Question 6: Which type of carabiner is recommended for aerial fitness rigging due to its secure gate mechanism?
- Oval non-locking carabiner
- Snap-gate carabiner
- Screw-gate or auto-locking carabiner (Correct answer)
- Wire-gate carabiner
Correct answer: Screw-gate or auto-locking carabiner
Screw-gate or auto-locking carabiners are required for aerial rigging because they prevent accidental gate opening under load or vibration.
AFC AFC Equipment & Apparatus Knowledge 2
What is the recommended inspection frequency for aerial apparatus and rigging hardware in a professional aerial fitness studio?