Movement Belay Certification Vocabulary Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In belay terminology, what does the command 'Take' signal to the belayer?
- Pull in all available slack immediately
- Hold the rope taut so the climber can rest on it (Correct answer)
- Lower the climber to the ground
- Feed rope out quickly for a dynamic move
Correct answer: Hold the rope taut so the climber can rest on it
'Take' instructs the belayer to pull the rope snug so the climber's weight is supported without lowering.
Question 2: What is a 'dynamic belay' in movement climbing contexts?
- Using a motorized belay device
- Allowing slight controlled rope movement during a fall to reduce peak impact force (Correct answer)
- Feeding rope very quickly during a lead fall
- Keeping the rope completely static at all times
Correct answer: Allowing slight controlled rope movement during a fall to reduce peak impact force
A dynamic belay uses slight rope slippage or body movement to absorb energy and reduce the peak force on the climber during a fall.
Question 3: The term 'PBUS' describes the correct hand sequence for belaying. What does the 'B' stand for?
- Balance
- Brake (Correct answer)
- Bind
- Buffer
Correct answer: Brake
PBUS stands for Pull, Brake, Under, Slide — the 'B' represents applying the Brake hand to lock the device.
Question 4: What does 'soft catch' mean in lead belaying vocabulary?
- Using a padded belay glove
- A gentle, shock-absorbing belay during a leader fall (Correct answer)
- Catching the rope before the climber weights it
- Lowering the climber very slowly
Correct answer: A gentle, shock-absorbing belay during a leader fall
A soft catch occurs when the belayer jumps or steps forward during a lead fall, reducing the abrupt jerk on the climber.
Question 5: In climbing rope vocabulary, what is 'rope drag'?
- The weight of the rope itself
- Friction created as rope runs through multiple pieces of protection at angles (Correct answer)
- A worn-out section of rope
- The belayer pulling rope too fast
Correct answer: Friction created as rope runs through multiple pieces of protection at angles
Rope drag is the cumulative friction force on the rope as it bends through protection points, making clipping harder and potentially mimicking resistance of a fall.
Question 6: What is the 'fall factor' in climbing safety vocabulary?
- The angle at which the climber hits the wall
- The ratio of fall distance to rope length in the system (Correct answer)
- The number of falls allowed per session
- The speed at which a climber falls
Correct answer: The ratio of fall distance to rope length in the system
Fall factor is calculated by dividing the distance fallen by the length of rope out, with a maximum value of 2.
Question 7: What does the term 'clipping' refer to in lead climbing vocabulary?
- Trimming excess rope ends
- Attaching the lead rope to a protection bolt or quickdraw (Correct answer)
- Securing the belay device to the harness
- Connecting two ropes together
Correct answer: Attaching the lead rope to a protection bolt or quickdraw
Clipping means passing the lead rope through the carabiner gate of a quickdraw or bolt hanger to create a running belay point.
Movement Belay Certification Vocabulary Development 2
In belay terminology, what does the command 'Take' signal to the belayer?