Lobster Claws, Y-Tails, Crab Claws, Lanyards and More: Understanding Essential Safety Tethers

When navigating the thrilling heights of ropes courses, aerial adventure parks, or managing ziplines, safety is paramount. Essential to this safety are the devices often called lobster claws or Y-tails. These versatile pieces of equipment act as crucial safety connection, ensuring participants and staff remain securely attached.

You might hear them referred to by a few different names, including simply lobster claws, Y-tails, crab claws, clips, and even just adjustable positioning lanyards. Regardless of the local moniker, their function remains the same: to provide a secure connection from the harness to the belay line.

These devices are designed with features to maximize safety and usability. Many are  adjustable, allowing users to adapt their tether length as needed on the course. Some, like the Facilitator Claws, are even made with an absorber, which can help to reduce the force of a fall when staff may be working at or above a belay line.

You’ll find different designs depending on the intended use. Some, like the French Creek and Misty Mountain Adjustable Lobster Claws, utilize strong 1" polyester webbing with forged steel components and double-action snap hooks, boasting a rating of 5,000 lbs and adjustability from 3.5' to 6.5' or 3.5' to 6'. Others, such as the HCH Sewn Rope Y Lanyard, are based on a classic multiline spliced design but offer the durability of sewn rope terminations. This particular model is ANSI Z359.1 compliant as an adjustable positioning lanyard and can be paired with a zorber to meet Type 2 lanyard standards.

Whether you call them lobster claws, Y-tails, or adjustable lanyards, these safety tethers are indispensable tools for anyone engaging in aerial adventure activities, providing a vital link to safety systems.