Rules For The Indoor Climbing Walls At Any Climbing Wall In Bristol – Safety First Indoor climbing walls are lots of great fun to use, but they have to be used with a set of rules to ensure your safety and that of other users.
Check Your Harness Properly
Before tying the rope at the bottom of the wall, pull the leg loops and the waist belt down firmly to check that they are snug but not too tight. Also make sure the buckle is doubled back. This is one of the most common mistakes that new climbers make.
Belay With Full Attention
When belaying someone, your brake hand must be on the rope at all times. When using an auto-belay device on a climbing wall in Bristol for your solo climb, be sure to engage the auto-belay device before you start climbing. This will release the control of the rope when you reach the top and descend to the bottom of the wall.
Stay Out of the Fall Zone
Do not stand under someone while they are climbing. When a climber falls the rope will swing the climber outwards and downwards. Give the climber plenty of room to fall and then drop and for the climber to descend to the ground. Make sure that you are giving the climber a wide enough berth and keep out of the fall zone at all times. See also Climbing Wall Bristol.
Wear a Helmet When Asked
Climbing helmets: Wearing a Helmet. Some walls will insist that climbers wear helmets on certain routes and in certain climbing areas. This is particularly common in bouldering areas as there are often overhead elements that could cause serious injury to a climber should they fall on their head. Even where helmets are not compulsory however, it is still highly recommended. If in doubt about whether to wear a helmet or not, speak with a member of staff at the desk of the climbing wall and they will be happy to inform you of the rules for specific areas.
Report Damaged Equipment Immediately
Cracked holds, worn out karabiners and even split or frayed ropes can pose a danger to climbers. But by reporting them immediately to the staff, you can help ensure that your wall complies with the HSE’s (Health and Safety Executive) guidelines for managing such risks in the area of sport and leisure.
Follow these simple climbing wall safety rules to have a great climbing experience and to ensure you have the best session from start to finish.
