Movement Belay Certification Movement Belay Communication and Commands 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'Up rope' direct the belayer to do?
- Feed out rope
- Take in excess slack (Correct answer)
- Lock off the belay device
- Prepare for a fall
Correct answer: Take in excess slack
'Up rope' tells the belayer to take in rope to eliminate excessive slack hanging below the climber.
Question 2: When a climber anticipates a difficult move and wants the belayer to be especially attentive, which phrase should they use?
- Take!
- Belay on
- Watch me (Correct answer)
- Falling
Correct answer: Watch me
'Watch me' alerts the belayer to pay close attention as the climber may fall, prompting readiness to arrest a fall.
Question 3: What is the primary reason climbing commands are kept short and distinct?
- Tradition from early mountaineering
- To reduce confusion and ensure clarity over distance and noise (Correct answer)
- Because climbers' hands are busy
- To save energy while climbing
Correct answer: To reduce confusion and ensure clarity over distance and noise
Short, distinct commands minimize misunderstanding in noisy or windy environments where words can be distorted or cut short.
Question 4: If a climber calls out 'Falling!' what should the belayer do immediately?
- Feed slack to absorb the fall
- Move toward the wall
- Lock off the belay device into brake position (Correct answer)
- Shout 'Rock!'
Correct answer: Lock off the belay device into brake position
On hearing 'Falling!', the belayer must instantly lock off the belay device to arrest the fall and hold the climber's weight.
Question 5: Before the check-in sequence begins, both the climber and belayer should visually inspect which items?
- Harness buckles, belay device setup, and knot (Correct answer)
- Helmet, chalk bag, and shoes
- Route grade, hold size, and anchor type
- Rope diameter, carabiner gate, and wall height
Correct answer: Harness buckles, belay device setup, and knot
The pre-climb check includes verifying harness buckles are doubled back, the belay device is rigged correctly, and the tie-in knot is dressed and clipped.
Question 6: In a gym setting, what is the correct sequence of communication before a climber begins?
- Climbing → Belay on → Climb on
- Belay on → Climbing → Climb on (Correct answer)
- Climb on → Belay on → Climbing
- On belay → Belay on → Climb on
Correct answer: Belay on → Climbing → Climb on
The belayer first confirms the system is ready with 'Belay on,' the climber then announces intent with 'Climbing,' and the belayer confirms with 'Climb on.'
Question 7: What command should a belayer use to confirm they have the climber on belay and are ready?
- Ready
- Climb on
- Belay on
- On belay (Correct answer)
Correct answer: On belay
'On belay' (or 'Belay on') is the belayer's confirmation that they are actively managing the rope and the system is ready.
Movement Belay Certification Movement Belay Communication and Commands 2
What does 'Up rope' direct the belayer to do?