How To Use Climbing Commands Properly

The use of proper climbing commands is integral to the safe practice of climbing.  The commands used between the climber and the belayer (the person in charge of the rope) act as an important shorthand way to communicate needed information between the parties involved in a climb.  By employing this common climbing vocabulary, confusion from poor communication can be removed from this extreme sport.

Be sure to use the following rules when speaking climbing commands to ensure the safety of every climber:

1.  Make sure everyone is on the same page before the climb begins. 

This may sound basic, but each climber should make sure that each person, regardless of skill level or nationality, is using the same set of commands to mean the same things.

2.  Speak all commands in a loud, clear voice. 

Climbers not trained outdoors may have some initial trouble remembering this, but understanding the climbing commands clearly the first time they are spoken can forestall confusion and injury.

The following are climbing commands that each climber should be properly aware of before beginning any sort of climbing:

• "On belay" or "Ready to climb:"  the climber is ready to begin.
• "Belay on" or "Climb when ready:"  the belayer is ready to begin.
• "Climbing:" the climber begins his/her ascent.
• "Climb on" or "Okay:" belayer's acknowledgment of "Climbing."

While climbing, these climbing commands are used most frequently:

• "Tension" or "Take" or "Up rope:" the climber tells the belayer to remove slack in the rope.
• "Slack" or "Give" or "Down rope:" the climber tells the belayer to add slack to the rope.

Once the climb is over, the following commands should be employed:

• "Falling:" the climber is ready to descend.
• "Fall on" or "fall away:" the belayer is ready for the climber to descend.
• "Off Belay" or "safe:" the belayer can rest because the climber is in a safe spot.
• "Lower me:" the climber tells the belayer that he can start lowering him/her.
• "Got me?" the climber notifies the belayer to expect some weight.

There are a few additional climbing commands that can alert the belayer about danger ahead.  The following climbing commands all are from the climber to the belayer:

• "Rope:" the rope will hit the ground soon.
• "Rock:" a rock (or other equipment) has become dislodged and is now hurtling towards the ground.
• "Watch me!" the climber is about to attempt something dangerous or perform a tricky maneuver.  The belayer should pay extra attention at this point.