Auto belay failure. Although the frequency of auto-belay-related incidents is relatively low (compared to the frequency of auto-belay usage without incidents) — the severity of these incidents has caused many gym managers and owners to become extremely concerned. Most of these are falls from the top of the wall due to failure to clip in, making them catastrophic. Apr 24, 2023 · The auto belay provides a controlled descent using magnets, centrifugal force, or hydraulics as a braking mechanism. It reopens on Friday, Oct. You might want to pay extra attention to the webbing in your climbing center for example. even if the cause of the accident was failure to use the auto-belay altogether. Ironically, Johnston has been pushing for better auto belay practices for years. We came to the decision to remove auto belays. The data shows that these accidents occur among both new and experienced climbers. Feb 27, 2025 · Consumers should immediately stop using recalled auto belay devices and contact Head Rush Technologies for a free onsite inspection and repair. The number of auto belay accidents are increasing. While our TruBlue Auto Belay devices employ a retraction spring designed for maximum reliability, the longevity of the retraction spring can differ based upon many variables; including, but not limited to mounting height, heavy cyclic use, and uncontrolled release of the webbing. I hesitated to share this because the cause is unknown at the moment, but in the end I decided as a user of an auto belay I'd want to know if something like this happened. Sep 27, 2023 · Vertical World and C3 Manufacturing recently agreed to pay a climber $6 million, one of the largest settlements in the climbing gym industry’s history, following an auto belay accident. Mar 3, 2025 · This case is particularly unsettling since it appears to be material failure. Something to be aware of: there's a difference between an auto belay failing due to some design or manufacturing flaw and failing due to wear and tear. The device enables a climber to ascend indoor routes on a top rope but without the need for a human belaying partner. Auto belay "TruBlue Speed" auto-belay fixed at the top of an indoor climbing route An auto belay (or autobelay) is a mechanical device for belaying in indoor climbing walls, in both training and competition climbing formats. This means that newer, less experienced climbers can tend to gravitate towards autobelays. Sep 21, 2023 · Seattle's Vertical World and Colorado-based manufacturer C3, which produces Perfect Descent auto belays, have settled in a lawsuit following a severe climbing accident that occurred on August 1 Feb 8, 2024 · An informal post on a climbing forum titled "Auto-belay Accident" is the most perfect, concise way to tell a reader, they are going to read about a climbing accident that occurred on an auto-belay. Sep 21, 2023 · In 1994, he also served as one of the original board members for the Climbing Wall Association. Sep 21, 2023 · The law office representing Vandivere, Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala Attorneys at Law, stated in a press release that Vandivere fell “due to a defective auto-belay device. ” Furthermore, the press release stated that the accident was caused by “improper supervision by Vertical World staff, and inadequate training for climbers by Vertical World. It is important to note that the majority of auto-belay-related incidents and deaths are not a result of the malfunction of the auto-belay itself. Oct 22, 2021 · Today, a Sydney, Australia climbing gym removed its auto=belays in the wake of a recent death at the facility. Sep 22, 2023 · A three-year lawsuit over an auto-belay accident has ended in a $6 million combined payout from the climbing gym and the auto-belay manufacturer. Let us explore some of the pros and cons of auto belays. While they offer many benefits, there are also drawbacks to using an auto belay. Oct 25, 2021 · While autobelays are safe if used properly, and current models have near nonexistent rates of failure, many gyms don’t require autobelay users to pass top rope belay tests, and/or have low (or nonexistent) age minimums for autobelay use. Annual or bi-annual inspections, as required by the manufacturer, involve disassembly, inspection, repair, testing and recertification of the unit. At first reluctant to host auto belays in his gyms, he compromised with a stringent and required belay check that all members who wish to use the auto belays must undergo. Mar 3, 2025 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. 22. Dec 30, 2020 · The Fear Of Auto Belay 😨😰😥KsMd Oct 12, 2020 · Wondering what auto belays are? In this post, we detail what are the main types of auto belays, how they work and how to use them properly. Jan 15, 2024 · The industry has experienced at least two auto-belay deaths in the past three years and several serious injuries related to auto-belays. Jan 25, 2023 · Your monthly dose of climbing accident analysis from the editors of "Accidents in North American Climbing. Colorado-based C3 Manufacturing and Seattle’s . Jan 15, 2024 · Photo: CityROCK There has been a lot of chatter about auto-belays in recent months, both in the media and behind closed doors. " This month, we cover an increasingly common gym accident involving an auto belay; and the risk of rock fall at outdoor crags. bezazwn fgnbm ptmt fcbl zxuhi ira yvd qfqd dedwb uvale