A sling's capacity is reduced by what percentage when transitioning from vertical to a choker hitch?

When transitioning from a vertical hitch to a choker hitch, a sling's capacity is typically reduced by 25%. This reduction occurs because the configuration of the sling changes, which can affect the distribution of load and pinch points created by the choker hitch. The choker hitch places additional stress on the sling due to the angle at which it wraps around the load, leading to a higher risk of failure if not properly accounted for.

In practice, this means that when using a choker hitch, it's critical for riggers to be aware of this capacity reduction to ensure safety and maintain adherence to load limits. Understanding and calculating the effective capacity of a sling in various configurations is essential for safe lifting operations, and failing to account for these reductions can lead to inadequate safety margins and potentially hazardous situations.