Climbing wall Auto belays allow you to climb on roped climbing walls alone without the need for a partner to manage the rope below you. Auto belays manage the lowering for you.
What the Device Actually Does
The auto belay device is a small unit mounted at the top of the climbing wall. It has a thin webbing strap or cable that descends to the climber. Inside the auto belay, a braking mechanism is used to allow the webbing to pay out as the climber ascends. The descent is controlled by the same braking mechanism as the climber reaches the end of the webbing or releases from the rope.
How to Clip In
First attach your carabiner to the end of the strap and clip it to your harness through the belay loop. Most climbing walls with auto belays will have a card or notice on the device showing you how to use it. Make sure the gate is shut and the carabiner is attached the correct way round before you set off.
Check Before You Climb
Pull the strap down firmly to check that the brake is engaging. Most climbing walls which use auto belays have them mounted up on the walls and you will be required to go through a short induction before being allowed to use them unsupervised. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) of the leisure industry publishes safety guidelines for equipment of this type.
What Happens When You Let Go
Auto belays lower down climbers smoothly and slowly to the floor of the wall. Remember to stay relaxed, keep your feet lightly on the wall and allow the auto belay to lower you down.
Auto Belay Versus a Human Belayer
Of course a human belayer is able to pick up more slack then an auto belay and gives you lots of encouragement too, but for solo practice of roped climbing events the auto belays are a very reliable option. There is more on Climbing Walls at https://www.270climbing.com/climbing.
Used correctly, auto belays make a great addition to your solo climbing sessions.