Safety First

As we all heard a hundred times before, "rock climbing is a dangerous sport". This is one phrase that will never get beaten into the ground from over use. Rock climbing is indeed a dangerous sport. However, if you follow good safety procedures and use some common sense the dangers in climbing can be greatly reduced. The following is a list of some of the safety precautions I learned from my climbing instructor Ted Jones at NCSU. Please note: My list DOES NOT include everything you need to know to be safe. If you find something missing from the list, PLEASE drop me a line and let me know. Submit Safety Suggestion

Climb with your head first. This does not mean that your head must literally go first (although that would be a good idea). It means THINK. Don't get so caught up in the rush that you forget to think about what you are doing. If you are feeling anxious, stressed, excited, etc...slow down. It is not ok to rush things when climbing. Forgetting to do something as simple as tying a knot will get you killed.
Never feel you can do without some safety equipment. Sure it may save you some money in the short run, but it will cost you a whole lot more to have an emergency team try and save your sorry butt or worse yet, do you know what the funeral expenses will cost your grieving family? To live life to its fullest, you must first make sure you stay alive. There will be other days to climb so wait until you have the right equipment. It will be worth the wait.
Perform a "BARK" before EACH climb. Not just the first one.
B - Check your belt buckle and make sure it is doubled back through. If you are wearing a non adjustable harness, make sure it is on correctly.
Check and make sure you Brain Bucket (helmet) is fit snugly on your head
A - check your anchors both at the top of a climb and any anchors making up the belay system.
R- make sure the rappel/belay device is correctly installed and that all carabiners being used are locked.
K- check all knots. Make sure the rope is properly attached to the climber's harness. Check any other knots in your systems.
Use proper climbing signals. These vary slightly depending where you are. Generally, they are:
Climber: On Belay?
Belayer: Belay is on.
Climber: Up rope (if necessary)
Climber: your name, climbing.
Belayer: Climb on, your name
During the climb the climber may need to communicate something to the belayer.
falling: self explanatory
rock: a general term meaning something is falling off the rock and is short for "Watch out below"
slack: give the climber a little rope
up rope: take up any slack in the rope
When the climb is complete.
Climber: Off Belay?
Belayer: Belay is off. (This step should not occur until the belayer is 100% sure the climber is in a safe position. aka. two feet on the ground.
Check equipment for cracks,frays, etc... before climbing
Rest between climbs. This includes resting during an actual climb. If you feel you need a rest try your best to find a place to take one.
When donning a harness be sure to follow the manufacture's instructions.
Install carabiners along the major axis for maximum protection and make sure gates are locked.
When bouldering make sure you have a safe landing area.
When bouldering use a spotter.
When rappelling tie the ends of your rope into a figure 8 knot. This will prevent you from crashing to the ground should you run out of rope before the descend is complete.
Rappel at a reasonable speed. Fast rappels wear out the rope faster and can cause hand injuries. Fast rappelling is also more difficult to control.
Keep all hair, clothing, strings, etc... far away from the rappel device.
When placing artificial anchors make sure they are secure and will not easily come loose.
Belayers. Always keep the break-hand on the rope. Pay close attention to your climber. Seconds count.

Safety

Rules to Live By