Rock Climbing - Activity

Student skills

Proper belaying technique and back-up belaying technique must be taught. The responsibility of belaying must be emphasised. All student belayers must have a belay backup. A belay backup normally consists of another student holding, or also belaying, the belay rope. Belayers must be vigilantly monitored by staff.

Attachment of the climbing rope to the climbing harness is the single most important skill used in climbing. For short top roped climbs, it is acceptable to attach with a figure-of-eight knot clipped to two opposed screwgate karabiners provided care is taken to check attachment; otherwise, tying in with a return figure-of-eight knot is preferred. All attachments must be checked by a staff member prior to climbing.

Equipment

Equipment, whether hired, borrowed or owned by the school or students, must be in a safe condition and suitable for the activity.

A log of use of all climbing equipment should be maintained by the owner.

Belay devices
Use only belaying devices that are in good working order and meet Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme (UIAA) standards or Comite Europeen de Normalisation (CEN) or the Australian equivalent.

Harnesses
Harnesses that meet EN 12277 or the equivalent UIAA or Australian standards and are in good working order must be correctly fitted and secured. Students and staff must be vigilant in ensuring that harnesses are correctly refitted between sessions or after removal.

Helmets
Helmets that meet UIAA standards or equivalent CEN or the Australian standards must be worn by all students and staff when abseiling or in the vicinity of the rock face.

Ropes
Dynamic single ropes (10 mm to 11 mm) are preferred for all climbing instruction settings. Dynamic half ropes (8.5 mm to 9 mm) could be used for top rope climbing with a top belay.

First aid kits
First aid kits appropriate to the location and level of training as well as extra clothes must be carried.

Shoes
Special climbing shoes or slippers are best for rock climbing; however, for lower grade climbing runners or boots are adequate.

Clothing

Clothing is the individual’s primary protection against extreme and variable weather conditions. Clothing lists need to be appropriate for the activity, the environment and the season.

Glasses should be secured and long hair tied back so as not to be caught in belay device or other equipment. Loose jewellery should not be worn and rings should be taped if not removed.

To protect against sunburn, use broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreen on all exposed parts of the body, applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Hats must not be worn under helmets.

Identification

Staff and students must be easily identifiable. Staff must determine the most suitable system/s of identification, based on the assessment of the environment, students’ skills, the type of activities to be undertaken and the age and number of students.