Every year climbers die or are seriously injured when they are dropped to the ground by their belayer after leading a sport climb. Miscommunication, lack of communication, and the wrong voice commands are the main reasons that these tragedies happen.
Read my new article Communicate Before Lowering Off Sport Climbs--Use Climbing Commands to Keep Safe to learn how to avoid these communication problems, including telling your belayer what you intend to do when you reach the anchors and what to say before lowering down. Also included are tips for belaying so that you know how to keep your leader safe.
Read more about Climbing Commands:
Using Climbing Commands--Climbing Commands Keep You Safe
"Off Belay!" Voice Command
Use Climbing Hand Signals to Communicate
"Belay Off!" Voice Command
Photograph above: Ian Green told Rane Dunn what he planned to do when he reached the anchors on "Gumby Killer" in Rattler Gulch in Montana. Photograph © Stewart M. Green
Comments
Communication ALWAYS helps!
Ciao,
Enrico