Sheath damage occurs when which condition is met?

• A. Core is visible through the rope's sheath
• B. 50% or more of the sheath fibers broken
• C. The rope is wet
• D. The rope is twisted

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is identifying sheath damage by direct evidence of the protective layer being breached. When the core shows through the rope’s outer sheath, the protective wrap has been compromised, exposing the inner fibers that carry the rope’s strength. That exposure indicates a real weakness at that spot, so the rope should be removed from service.

Wetness, twisting, or heavy sheath wear without core exposure can affect handling or overall wear, but they don’t by themselves prove that the sheath is damaged in a way that compromises strength.