Climbing - auto belays and mobile walls

Similar equipment is required for use of these systems as for traditional climbing, the main difference is the rope. In traditional climbing the climber is connected to the top of the wall using a rope and a belay system with someone managing the rope as they move up and down the wall. In an auto belay or clip and climb system the rope is replaced with either a rope, lanyard, dyneema or protected high tension metal rope. At the top of the system will be the auto belay unit which controls the decent of the climber and protects them from falling.

The use of helmets for climbing using auto belay systems must be determined by the activity risk assessment and the operator’s requirements.

Where a climbing centre requires participants to wear helmets or a risk assessment determines they should be worn on an auto belay climb the instructor needs to ensure the route the participants are climbing are set up so snag hazards are avoided.

When using auto belay systems the use of helmets needs to be considered as part of the risk assessment, largely they are not used for these systems but may be appropriate for those with additional needs. When helmets are used, they should only be used on climbing routes where there is no risk of the strap of the helmet snagging on a climbing hold.

Any equipment used, must be done so following the manufacturer’s guidelines, this includes its intended use.

Note: some systems which may appear to be suitable for climbing are not designed for climbing and therefore must not be used in this context.

It is important that any inspection and servicing time periods that has been recommended by an equipment manufacture, previous inspection and servicing records is adhered to.

For a mobile climbing wall using a traditional roped system the normal rules relating to climbing activities must be followed, this includes permits for any scout led activity.

Where an auto belay system is used this activity can be managed under POR rule 9.12.3 which states that either a climbing permit holder or someone following written operating procedures which have been agreed by a County Climbing Assessor.

This allows for local onsite training to be undertaken for the specific equipment in place.

Where a piece of equipment is owned by a Scouting entity the manufactures guidelines for use must be followed at all times and this may include the training and operations of the equipment.

In all mobile climbing activities or those using auto belay systems a safety briefing must be given to the group prior to the activity starting, this should lay out the way in which the activity will take place and any rules the group must follow.

It is essential that a climber remains on the ground until their climbing harness has been checked and that they have been clipped or tied in correctly to the rope linked to the belay system by the instructor before climbing. If being belayed by a person the participant only starts climbing once the belayer has verbally confirmed they are ready to belay.

Manufacturer’s guidelines must be followed in regard to the storage, transportation and maintenance of all of these systems.

Mobile Climbing Walls should meet the requirements for EN13814 and be certified under the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS) in the UK, this requires regular inspection to ensure that it is managed and fit for purpose.

The auto belay systems may need to be inspected separately by the manufacture, a qualified specialist or the installing company.

When using an external provider the externally led activity rules must be followed.

If hiring mobile climbing equipment the provider must show ADIPS accreditation for each piece of equipment used.