What is the purpose of a swivel in rigging?

The purpose of a swivel in rigging is to allow for rotation without twisting the lift line. When loads are lifted, they can often shift or turn, especially in complex rigging arrangements or when the load is not evenly balanced. A swivel facilitates this movement by enabling the load to rotate freely, which helps maintain the integrity of the lift line by preventing it from becoming twisted or tangled. This is particularly important for ensuring safety and efficiency during lifting operations, as a twisted line could lead to operational issues or even equipment failure.

The other options represent functions that are not related to the primary purpose of a swivel. For instance, while securing connections is crucial in rigging, that is not the role of a swivel. Adding weight to a lift would generally not be desirable, and a backup connection point serves a different purpose altogether, focusing on redundancy rather than rotation.