When assessing a potential anchor point, which three characteristics must be verified?

• A. Capacity only
• B. Accessibility only
• C. Redundancy only
• D. Capacity, redundancy, and accessibility

Answer: (D)

When choosing an anchor point, you must verify three things: its ability to bear the load, the presence of backups, and whether you can reach and work with it safely. The anchor must have enough capacity to withstand the forces generated by the rope system under use, including dynamic loads if a fall occurs. It also needs redundancy—backup systems or multiple independent anchors—so a single point of failure won’t drop the system. Finally, accessibility matters: the anchor has to be reachable for proper rigging, inspection, and adjustment, and positioned to allow safe operation and retrieval.

If you only consider capacity, you could be relying on an anchor that might fail if something shifts or another component fails. If you only consider accessibility, the anchor could be strong enough or backed up but still unusable or unsafe to rig. If you only consider redundancy, the setup might have backups but lack sufficient strength or proper access. Combining all three ensures a reliable, safe, and workable anchor for rescue operations.