How to Become a Qualified Rock Climber

Rock climbers climb on the rock wall and it can be said that their safety and life are delivered to the protectors under the rock wall. Therefore, every protector can say that the responsibility is significant. Not only that, a qualified protector can let rock climbers take heart and accomplish their goals with boldness. It also gives rock climbers more psychological support.

In my opinion, the most important qualities of a qualified protector are "safety awareness" and "responsibility." Security awareness is reflected in every detail of the climb. It is the habit of each standard operation. The sense of responsibility needs to be sentimentally felt and understood.

Never forget to check your safety before climbing

Items to be inspected include: whether the helmet is fastened before climbing, whether the helmet is in check, whether the wearing of the safety belt is mistaken, and whether the protection device is properly connected.

When the top rope is protected, check whether the above rope is wound and whether the protection station is safe. When Pioneer is protecting, the guardian needs to understand the route, ensure that the length of the rope is sufficient, ensure that the climber has enough equipment to climb, and properly manage the rope, knot the rope, choose a protective position, and use the climber to climb the password. It is necessary to hung up the first quick hang.

What precautions do protectors need during the climbing process?

Never loosen the brake end of the rope. Whether it is grigri or ATC, this should be the basic consensus.

When the top rope is protected, the protector finds a suitable station to prevent the climbing rope from affecting the climber. During the climbing process, the protector always observes whether there is a rockfall above the ground, reminds the climber not to stray from the climbing path to avoid swings, reminds the climber of the relationship with the rope, encourages the climber when he encounters difficulties, and detours at the same speed after climbing the summit to avoid stumbling. Fast and slow, slow landing close to the ground to ensure that climbers can safely stand.

Pioneer protection requires more attention. In addition to the above top rope protection personnel, it is also necessary to keep an eye on the climber. When climbing, the first three quick-hanging attention must be highly concentrated to prevent the climber from accidentally falling off and hitting the ground. The protector needs to adjust his protection position according to the climbing direction of the climber. The first three quick-connect protectors try to keep close to the rock wall and stand under the climber's side to prevent the climber from riding on the rope or picking up the protector. Always pay attention to the length of the rope and give the rope in time. Find out when climbing errors are promptly given. When the climber falls, it is properly buffered to avoid injury.

Pioneer protection needs attention to the length of the rope, picture from vdiffclimbing.com

During the climb, the protector maintains communication with the climber. The language is concise and the voice is loud.

How much buffer does the pioneer have to give?

The number of ropes that avant-garde rappers must give depends on the specific situation. This is an empirical problem that requires a lot of time and experience. In general, a climber falls during a Pioneer climb. At this time, the protector should give the rope instead of tightening the rope. Usually when climbing, the rope connecting the climber to the protector needs to be kept at an angle of 45 degrees, that is to say an arc like a banana, if the climber falls and feels his own protector The moment the seat belt is pulled, the automatic hand gently relaxes at this time, allowing the rope to slowly slide in the hand to achieve a cushioning effect.

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If the protector we choose is self-locking, then when the climber falls, we need to be prepared ahead of the rock wall. When the power of the climber's impact reaches the protector and the seat belt, we Move near the rock wall and gently jump up to reach the cushion.

What should I do when I fall in a special terrain?

If we encounter special terrain, such as platforms or raised parts under the climber, we need to pay attention to the length of the rope - if it is too small, it may be injured, if it is too long, it may fall to the platform or protrusion. Injured on the face. In this case, the protector may consider giving a little more rope to allow him to fall over this protruding platform or dangerous part, or to give him less rope, but this less premise is to be just right. Let the climber fall and get hurt. If you encounter this kind of complex terrain, we suggest to find a rock climbing protector with more experience.

Great weight difference, how to operate when protecting

Under normal circumstances, we recommend that the weight ratio between the climber and the protector should not exceed 15 kg. This weight ratio should be a reasonable proportion. If we encounter a climber with a particularly large weight, we recommend replacing the protector, if possible. You can fix yourself on the ground or choose to use a flat strap to connect the seat belt when you are behind it. It is best to choose a self-locking protection device.

How do protectors protect themselves?

In case of more complex terrain protection, we should choose self-locking protectors or clean up the protection area of ​​the protectors in advance. The protector must wear safety helmets for each protection. If the rockfall is encountered, it should be immediately below the rock wall. Dodge and do not look up.

Conclusion:

With regard to the sense of responsibility of the protectors, it is a kind of inner responsibility and a spirit of persistence. Every careful safety check before climbing and enjoying the happy process of each climb is a rigorous and responsible climbing attitude towards your partner. It is embodied in a reminder of the key moments, a simple rope tail knot, a hug and encouragement at each failure, and a hand clasping the rope tail.