What Truly Guarantees Your Safety in the Air? A Guide to Standards and Certifications.

Introduction

Watching an aerialist glide through the air on a silk or hoop is pure magic. It's no wonder that more and more people—including the youngest ones—are falling in love with this beautiful discipline. But behind every breathtaking move lies something far more important than talent and strength. It's trust. Trust in your skills, trust in your instructor, and above all, trust in your equipment.

As the specialists at aerialsilks.eu, we know that safety is the absolute foundation. That's why we've prepared a guide that explains in simple terms what to look for when choosing and rigging your equipment, so your only worry will be which new move to learn next.

 

"Certification" – What's Really Holding You Up There?

Many of us look for the magic word "certified" on equipment. However, it's worth knowing that aerial arts are such a unique field that there isn't a single, global ISO standard created specifically for it. But don't worry! Professional manufacturers, whose gear you'll find in our store, use rigorous standards from related fields, such as mountaineering and industrial rigging.

Think of it like car parts—the brakes and tires are tested according to different, specialized standards, but together they create a safe vehicle. It’s the same here. The most important standards you should know about are:

EN 795: This applies to anchor points (what you attach your equipment to in the ceiling).

EN 362: This sets the standards for connectors, like carabiners, which are the backbone of your entire setup.

 

Two Acronyms You Must Know (Even If You Dislike Technical Details)

In product descriptions, you'll find two key parameters. Let's explain them in plain English:

MBS (Minimum Breaking Strength): This is the extreme force that will cause the equipment to physically break or fail.

WLL (Working Load Limit): This is the most important figure for you! It specifies the maximum load that can be safely applied during everyday use, which includes a huge safety margin.

Why is this margin so crucial? During dynamic moves and "drops" (controlled falls), the forces acting on the equipment can be up to 12 times greater than the aerialist's body weight! That's why professional equipment has a safety factor of at least 7:1.

 

When Trust Fails – Lessons the World Has Learned

History has shown us cases where cutting corners or a lack of knowledge led to tragedy. In 2014, during a circus show in the US, a single, poorly chosen carabiner failed. Eight performers fell from a great height, suffering career-ending injuries. Accidents like this are a painful reminder that there is no room for compromise on equipment quality in aerial arts.

 

The Most Important Part of Your Kit? Your Ceiling!

Even the best certified equipment from our store won't be safe if it's attached to a weak ceiling. That’s why you should always hire a qualified professional or structural engineer to install your rigging point. Only an expert can assess the load-bearing capacity of the ceiling and guarantee that the installation will withstand the dynamic forces generated during training. A written confirmation of the installation's safety is your most important "certification."

 

Fly Safely with aerialsilks.eu

Choosing the right equipment can seem complicated, but that's what we're here for. At aerialsilks.eu, every product is described in detail, and its specifications are clearly stated. We make sure that our offer includes only tested and safe equipment from reputable manufacturers.

Do you have questions? Need help choosing a hoop, silk, or rigging hardware? Contact us! Our team is happy to share our knowledge and help you build a setup that you can fully trust.