Belaying Devices

Do you want to know more about climbing insurers?

One of the most important components of the climbing safety chain is precisely being well insured. For this, it is necessary to choose a link suitable to the type of climbing that is practiced and to know how to use it correctly. Being well insured reduces the energy produced by the fall of a climber. But, in spite of securing well, it is also important to consider what strings we are using. The climbing rope is dynamic and its stretching absorbs much of the energy generated by the impact. The main purpose of the insurers is that the friction with the rope reduces the impact and absorbs, along with the rope, the energy generated by the fall.

Depending on the type of climbing we practice, we will need to make sure one way or another. Also, depending on how we make sure, we will need one type of device or another. Next, we will distinguish between different insurers:

Tubular fastener: Its recommended use is professional climbing, sport climbing and bouldering. These insurers are very common. To use them the rope is folded and slid through slots. The insurer itself is attached to the harness by means of a locking carabiner. The friction caused by the contact of the rope in the insurer decreases the speed of the rope. The majority of insurers of this type have two slots to be able to use them also in abseiling.

Insurer with braking block: It is recommended to use it in sport climbing and bouldering. Within this category, there are two different types of insurers. Some assist braking to a climber who follows you, to another who is above the rope or to another in a multitrack. The others offer a unique braking mode to ensure one or two followers. The devices of the first type are somewhat heavier than the second, but the braking system is very effective.

8-Shaped Insurer: Its recommended uses are search and rescue, caving and abseiling, but they can also insure a top climber. To use it, the rope is passed through the large hole, it is turned over and it is passed again supporting all the weight in the central area. The small hole is used to join the harness with a carabiner.