Belay Device Types

In short the term belay device refers to any instrument that can be used to secure a partner while they climb or yourself while you descend from a fixed anchor.

Belay device types.

The rope is folded and pushed. You don t need to be an expert climber to see that it comes with risks. These are very common and are suitable for any kind of climbing. Guide plates have a large attachment point on one end with a smaller point on another.

What is a belay device. In fact it is the darling of most climbers and many belayers use them too. The grigri is are arguably the safest belay device for beginners. Also not one i would recommend in lieu of a proper belay device but the munter hitch knot is a great.

The added engineering in safety and assistance in braking and moving parts make this type of device the most expensive belay device but it is the one that you will find in most climbing gyms. In a multi pitch climb they allow the lead belayer at the top of the climb to secure and belay the following climber. Not one i would recommend today but the body belay was all the rage before modern belay devices were. Assisted braking belay device passive assisted braking belay device active figure 8 belay device.

How to choose belay devices tubular belay devices. Assisted braking belay devices also sometimes called self braking self locking. Tubular belay devices are perfect for any type of climb anywhere which is why everyone from beginners to the big time pros have these. Choosing the right one for the job.

Figure 8 belay device. Types of belay devices techniques hip body belay. Trango sells a similar assisted braking belay device called the cinch that is rated to work on ropes 9 4 to 11 mm. The auto block tube belay device types are probably the most common out there.

However as with most things there are ways to minimize them so your experience can be both exhilarating and as safe as possible. Figure 8 belay device. Devices like the grigri are all a lot heavier and bigger than tube devices or figure 8s. You simply insert a bent rope bight into one slot and clip a carabiner through the loop to attach the carabiner to your belay loop on your harness.

The original grigri is rated for 10 to 11 mm single ropes while the newer smaller grigri 2 is rated for 8 9 to 11 mm single ropes and optimized for 9 4 to 10 3 mm ropes.