One of the primary reasons for injury during climbing walls or bouldering is lack of training. Many kids are eager to begin climbing and cut short their training sessions.
At the same time, the training of climbers may not be enough. Even the well-trained climbers are involved in accidents if they do not adhere to rules. The staff of the bouldering facility must closely supervise all climbing activity to ensure enforcing of rules and that climbers are doing safe climbing.
Apart from human error, faulty equipment is a safety risk. All climbing equipment must be checked before use. For instance, gym padding and bouldering pads must be checked for adequacy and to identify whether any gaps have been formed. One must inspect the mats and bouldering pads every week.
Following are some basic safety tips for the sport of bouldering:
Supervision: All bouldering activities must be supervised by trained and experienced staff at all times. The climbing area must be closed at any time when a trained supervisor is absent.
Training: Before any climbing activity starts, all participants must be trained thoroughly. The climbers must be able to display expert skills in both belaying and climbing.
Know the Limits: Avoid climbing higher than the limit.
Harness correctly: One vital aspect of climbing safety is to put on a harness correctly. In case a harness is not worn properly, it may fail to support a falling climber and result in severe injury or death. It is up to the staff of the bouldering facility to ensure that all climbers have worn their harnesses properly and that no one tampers with the harness during the climbing process.
Belay with an Expert Climber: Belayers are completely responsible for the safety of climbers. So, it is vital to ensure that belayers are comfortable and experienced concerning their duties. They must also be prepared to deal with any falls.
Arrange the right equipment: Ensure that climbing equipment sticks to the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation standards and guidelines. Do not ever try to repair malfunctioning or damaged equipment.
Wear Proper Shoes: For avoiding any slipping, proper shoes are crucial to ensure climbing safety. Dress shoes, flip-flops, and sandals are some of the footwear that is unsuitable for climbing and bouldering. For avoiding slipping, shoes must fit properly and feature a good grip.
Practice Falling: Falling is an inevitable fact with bouldering, and all must be prepared for any falls. The best way to ensure climbers, as well as belayers, are prepared for responding to an actual fall is by getting everyone to be a part of a mock or staged fall. This helps train belayers on how to handle a real fall.
Adequate Padding: Gym mats and gym padding are a vital safety measure for indoor climbing and bouldering sport. They serve as a last line of defence in case of a fall. All climbers must have enough padding beneath them all the time, and it covers an area big enough to protect them wherever they fall.
Small Breaks: Fatigue and over-exertion are leading causes of climbing accidents and injuries, so take occasional breaks.
These are some of the tips for safety in undertaking bouldering sports.
