Rock climbing equipment should be used properly to provide the best protection and safety. Check out this handy safety guide the next time you go out climbing.
1) Rope: All climbing equipment is rigorously tested before it is sold, and ropes are no exception. Most ropes are drop-tested in the laboratory, meaning that weights are attached to the rope and dropped in order of ascending size, until the rope breaks. Drop testing establishes the maximum weight that can be held by the rope, usually several hundred pounds. During a fall, however, the effective weight of a climber increases dramatically, so ropes must be built strong enough to hold the weight of several climbers.
To help with their strength, climbing ropes are build to be dynamic, meaning they will stretch when a large weight is put on them. For falls, which happen often while climbing, a dynamic rope is essential as it can more easily hold weight and is far less likely to snap than a non-dynamic rope. It also makes falls much more comfortable, a good thing if they happen frequently.
Caring for a rope is also very important, to ensure that you get the maximum life out of the product and that you are safe. Do not step on your rope or let it fall on the dusty ground. Dirt and abrasion can work their way inside a rope, severely reducing the life of a rope and weakening its strength. When you are belaying or otherwise using a rope, lay a piece of plastic down and loosely coil the rope on top of it. Similarly, ropes should be kept dry when possible as moisture can decrease the working life of a new rope.
Although the estimated life of a rope may vary, even a new rope can only stand so many falls and scrapes. Under heavy and frequent use, ropes should be replaced every six to eight months. If your rope begins to show fraying or cracking, or if it starts to develop bulges or kinks, it should be replaced immediately with a new one.
2) Harness: Along with the rope, a harness is a key factor in climber safety. A harness is what connects the climber to the rope, and thus, it cannot be overlooked or hastily done. If you are unsure about how to strap up your harness, have someone experienced look at it when you are done. Generally, a climber should put their feet through the leg loops first, tighten the waist strap firmly, and then adjust all the smaller straps accordingly.
There are a variety of styles and types of harnesses available for climbers of every size. Your harness should fit you snugly, with room for only one finger between you and the belt loop. It does not have to be uncomfortably tight; it must be secure enough that you will not slip out if you are upside down. Some harnesses even offer hoops and clips for storing your gear when you're up on the wall.
3) Carabiners: The nuts and bolts of your climbing gear, carabiners connect your whole climbing apparatus together. Carabiners are also heavily tested in laboratory conditions, to ensure they will not break under common use, but climbers should double-check them before climbing just in case. As you prepare for a climbing trip, take a look at your carabiners for cracks or structural problems, and check that the gates are all working.
Carabiners come in a variety of styles, including bent gates, which are less likely to open accidentally, and wire gates, which are the easiest for your rope to clip into. Some carabiners have an auto-lock feature, in which the gate locks automatically when closed. Auto-lock carabiners significantly decrease the danger of being accidentally knocked or pushed open. However, even they do not eliminate the chance altogether.
4) Shoes: A decent pair of climbing shoes gives you the grip and leverage you need to stay on the wall, reduce the number of falls, and possibly the number of injuries you will have in the process. Shoes should be tight and fairly uncomfortable, but they shouldn't cut off circulation or make you regret climbing. Do not wear socks with your shoes, as it reduces feeling in your feet and makes it harder to read the wall. Shoes should be replaced every year or so to ensure you are climbing on the best tread.
