BELAY TEST

Climbing on Colgate University’s Angert Family Climbing Wall is as safe as you make it. It is your responsibility to understand and adhere to all rules and regulations pertaining to the wall, and to perform all tying-in, communicating (calls), belaying, lowering and climbing techniques properly and safely. It is expected that you will climb (boulder, belay, and climb) in the manner in which you perform during this belay test. Attention to detail, adherence to practices covered within this test, and a high level of safety-awareness are essential for safe climbing, indoors and out.

Below is the actual belay test form. This is our standard for belaying and what you'll be tested on.

Colgate University Angert Family Climbing Wall
Belay Test

Last Name:
First Name:                                                                           Date:

Casual attitudes and sloppy skills cause accidents! Safety awareness and attention to detail are critical to a safe climbing experience. Climbers and belayers must perform Checks and Calls each time before climbing.

All items must be demonstrated with 100% competence in order to pass the test.

YES

NO

ACTION

COMMENTS

SYSTEM SET-UP



·         Ropes are untangled and correctly oriented to climber and belayer

CHECKS

·         Tactile and verbal

·         Harness fits snugly on waist and is doubled-back with tail

·         Figure-8-follow-through knot with backup knot is through both parts of harness and is tied, dressed, and set (climber)

·         Belay device is attached to harness correctly with locked carabiner; rope is correctly threaded (belayer)

·         Anchor is secured to ground with locked carabiner and to front of harness with locked carabiner; belayer is standing with anchor taught and on same side of body as brake hand.

·         Brake hand is checked (belayer)

CALLS

·         “Ready to climb”    (climber)
“On belay”    (belayer)

·         “Climbing”    (climber)   “Climb”    (belayer)

BELAYING

·         Ropes are never parallel (pull, slide, lock method)

·         Brake hand never leaves rope

·         Brake hand is locked off when not taking in rope; there is adequate space between brake hand and belay device,

·         Take-up of rope is fluid; Giving of slack is fluid

·         Take-up of rope is timely and rope is taught on climber

·         Communication with climber is clear

·         Belayer is attentive to climber

LOWERING        (climber says ‘ready to lower’)

·         Before saying “give me your weight”, belayer takes in slack and puts both hands on brake rope

·         Climber says “Lower Me” Belayer Responds “Thank You”

·         Lowering is smooth and controlled

·         Ground calls are given: Belay Off, Off Belay

OVERALL

·         Demonstrates understanding of toprope system

·         Demonstrates attitude of safety awareness

Pass:               Fail:
Belay Tester:                                                                      Date:

Whenever you climb at the Colgate University Angert Family Climbing Wall, it is expected that you will adhere to all House Rules and that you will use the same safety practices that you demonstrate during this test.

Climber’s Signature ____________________________