Top 8 Tips for Safe Rock Climbing

Rock climbing has been always considered as one of the most dangerous types of sport. Even though it is gaining more and more popularity among people who like active sports, you have to know the basic rules and stick to the following pieces of advice in order to prevent yourself from getting seriously injured. Unfortunately, the number of people who get injured during rock climbing grows every year and in almost every country. In particular, beginners are very vulnerable to various kinds of injuries. Therefore, keep in mind the following pieces of advice and try to stick to them.

Top 8 Tips for Safe Rock Climbing

Top 8 Tips for Safe Rock Climbing
Top 8 Tips for Safe Rock Climbing

1. Always check your harnesses.

Always check your harnesses.
Always check your harnesses. (source)

First you gear up and then tie yourself into a rope at the route's base, but then the next thing you must do is to check whether the harness buckles of both belayer and climber are doubles. In addition, check whether the loops for legs are tight as well; the majority of harnesses has to be adjusted by climbers.

2. Knocks

Knocks
Knocks

Knocks are another thing you have to check. Before starting to climb the rock, you should always check whether the knot of your lead climber is tied appropriately. Moreover, the knot must have another backup knot at the end: it will prevent any unexpected accidents. After all, check whether that rope is threaded through the loops for legs as well as through the waist loop of the harness.

3. Wear a helmet

Wear a helmet
Wear a helmet

Another and perhaps the most basic thing is to always wear a helmet. Your helmet must be always worn on, no matter whether you are belaying or climbing. Rocks falling on the head are a typical thing in rock climbing. Sorry, but your head is not made of metal, just always keep to this rule.


4. Ropes

Ropes
Ropes (source)

You must always use long ropes. Ensure that you have a long enough rope which can reach the anchors on the top, go back down, and stretch out to a belay ledge (which you can find on multi-pitch routes) or to a sports route. If you are not sure that the rope is long enough, you must tie the stopper knot at the end of the tail. It will rule out the option of you being fallen to the ground.

By the way, you should keep it in mind and always check the belay device and rope if you are going to lead the route. You must be convinced that the rope there is correctly threaded through the device; you really have to pay a lot of attention to it if you have a Petzl GriGri Belay Device. Make certain that the belay device and the rope are affixed to a locking carabiner.

5. Be always attentive enough.

Be always attentive enough.
Be always attentive enough. (source)

Rock climbing, however, is a type of sport that constantly requires your concentration and attention. When it is your turn to belay, you should be attentive about the leader over you: exactly the leader is responsible for the route and takes all the risks of a drop.

6. Always bring enough gear with you.

Always bring enough gear with you.
Always bring enough gear with you. (source)

Only you can decide best what equipment you need to take; you should not rely on some guidebooks which tell you what you have to take and in what quantities. At a sports route for climbing, try to visually determine how many quickdraws you need for bolts. You may take a few more, however, if you are not sure.

7. Safe anchors

Safe anchors
Safe anchors (source)

Other several essential aspects you have to keep in mind are: clipping the rope appropriately and the use of safe anchors. Concerning the first, you should make certain that your rope is always clipped on quickdraws through carabiners properly. If you reached some important placements, locking carabiners will suit best for such places. Concerning the second aspect, you must use always at least several anchors at the top of a route or pitch. It can be just two, but it is better to secure yourself with the use of three anchors. In rock climbing, redundancy saves lives.

8. Weather conditions

Safe anchors
Safe anchors (source)
  Indeed, rock climbing does not stop being dangerous, but these simple advice will help you to protect yourself from hazardous injuries. Yet, you should get to know about the weather conditions prior to going rock climbing. Take a helmet (as was previously mentioned), some food, lights (even if being late is not included in your plans), and some water. Rock climbing is an amazing type of sport which brings a lot of emotions and memorable experience, yet you have to be constantly attentive and care about your safety enough.

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