How to Belay a Climber

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Part of the video series: How to Rock Climb

Summary: Learn how to belay a rock climber in order to stay locked into your hiking gear, prevent slippage and remain upright in this free beginner rock climbing video series.

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By Brandon Huff
eHow Presenter

Contact: www.rockquest.com

Brandon Huff has been rock climbing since he was sixteen years old. He has instructed hundreds of students over the course of the last five years. When not busy instructing students...read more

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alexfromscotlan said

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on 9/4/2009 One comment, if you are a beginner this might not be the best technique to start with.

This technique relies on you being quick enough to move to the brake position if the climber falls. In reality beginners might not react quickly enough to do this and end up getting their fingers caught in the belay or letting go of the rope in panic.

The alternate method is very similar, only difference is you keep the rope more or less in the brake position as you belay.

Downside - you will be a bit slower and you'll have to make more effort with your left hand bringing it right over to your right when you need to move your brake hand up the rope.

I think this video is better for beginners, good technique, resolution not so great though!

http://www.ehow.com/video_2285869_belaying-rock-climber-part-1.html

Alex

Video Transcript

" Hi! My name is Brandon. I'm with expertvillage.com, and today I”m going to show you how to rock climb. Now that you're setup to belay, you need to learn the proper technique of belay. There are many methods to belay, but this is the most basic. Your right hand is going to be on the right rope a couple of inches off the belay device. Next, your left hand will go on top of your right. Every time the climber climber takes a step up the wall, there will be slacking the rope, and your job is to pull the slack through. To do this with both hands, I'm going to pull the rope straight up, and slide my right hand down the rope, place my right hand back on top making sure I always keep distance between my hands and belay device to prevent myself from getting pinched. Every time the climber steps up. Again, remember take the slack out, both hands, slide right, place left. Your main goal is to always keep your right hand on the rope because this is your break hand. Now if the climber were to fall, with both hands I'm going to put them in the break position. The break position is straight down parallel to the belay device. When this happens, the rope is pinched on the belay device and can not slide through. It doesn't take much effort to hold the climber there, and this is how you belay. "

eHow Article: How to Belay a Climber