Edgeworks Climbing
   
                 
 

Safety Requirements & Certifications

 

Requirements & Certifications for Safe Climbing

Outlined below is a summary of the criteria that we use to assess an individual's ability to climb and belay safely. All participants must be able to do these things to earn and retain the privilege of climbing in our gyms in order to ensure the safety of everyone.

Safety Requirements & Certifications:
  Bouldering: Requirements
  Bouldering: Top-Out Certification
  Top-Rope Climbing: Requirements
  Top-Rope Climbing: Belay Certification
  Lead Climbing: Certification

Please do not be disappointed if we require you to test multiple times; we are merely attempting to create as safe an environment as we can. We thank you in advance for taking the time and energy to learn safe climbing and belaying technique.



Bouldering

Requirements for Safe Bouldering  
  Bouldering is for everyone and is the easiest type of climbing to get into. There are no certifications for bouldering below the “Bouldering Height Limit”, however there are important safety requirements that must be followed:  
 
  • Do not climb above your “Bouldering Height Limit”.
  • Adult Bouldering Height Limit:
    • The orange signs on the main climbing walls.
    • The crest of the wall on the lower bouldering walls.
  • Kids Bouldering Height Limit:
    • Kids must boulder at a lower height than adults. That limit is determined by their own height; as high as they can reach with their hands from the ground, their feet are not allowed any higher when bouldering.
  • Use a spotter and/or a crash pad for difficult moves.
  • Roped climbing has priority over bouldering on main climbing walls.
  • Do not boulder in areas of heavy top-rope and lead climbing.
 


  Certification for Safe Top-Out Bouldering
  Edgeworks Climbing bouldering wall has a unique feature that allows climbers to (climb to the top) or "Top-Out" on the bouldering wall and walk off to the second floor. Topping out is the most dangerous part of bouldering and because of this all climbers must be Top-Out Certified in order to. In order to be Top-Out Certified climbers must demonstrate the following safety items at all times:  
 
  • Climbers must observe all safety requirements for regular bouldering.
  • Climbers must be 14 years of age or older to Top-Out.
  • Climbers must demonstrate they can climb a V1 and top-out complete, with competence and safely.
  • Climbers must use a mat whenever topping out.
 



Top-Rope Climbing

Requirements for Safe Top-Rope Climbing  
  Top-rope climbing is for everyone and there are no certifications required to be the climber while using top-ropes, however there are important safety requirements that must be followed:  
 
  • All top-rope climbers must have a certified belayer operating the rope.
    • Certified belayers can be a person from your group who has met the Minimum Requirements for Safe Top-Rope Belaying.
    • Certified belayers can be Edgeworks Climbing staff you have scheduled through programs such as our Private Belay program.
 


  Certification for Safe Top-Rope Belaying
  Edgeworks Climbing will issue a Belay Certification Card and allow climbers to retain belaying privileges only if the climber demonstrates the following safety items at all times:  
 
  • A Belay Check must be passed prior to use of any ropes or belay systems.
  • Belayers must by 14 years of age or older.
  • All participants must use UIAA-approved belay devices and harnesses.
  • Belayers must remain attentive and stand while belaying.
  • Harnesses must be snug with belt above hips and tied-in securely with buckle doubled back.
  • Figure 8 follow-through knot must be tied through waist belt and leg loops.
  • Minimum of 6 inch tail on the figure 8 follow through knot, with an additional safety knot.
  • Belay device must be set properly and belay carabiner must be through the harness belay loop and locked.
  • Belaying, taking and lowering without dropping/letting go of the brake hand.
  • Switching between belaying, taking and lowering without compromising the brake hand.
  • Use of proper verbal belay signals.
 
  It is not uncommon for our staff to ask climbers to take the test on multiple occasions in order to ensure that all participants use proper technique.  



Lead Climbing

Certification for Safe Lead Climbing  
  All lead climbers and lead belayers must be lead certified by gym staff. The lead test must be on a 5.8 route (or harder) that is unfamiliar to the climber. The reason for this requirement is that we want to ensure that a climber will make the correct safety choices even when fatigued. The minimum requirements for the Lead Certification are:  
 
  • Belaying
    • All regular belay rules above must be followed (e.g. harness doubled back, belay hand always on rope, etc.).
    • Belayer must remain attentive to lead climbers at all times and stand while belaying.
    • Belayer must keep minimal slack - rope must not touch ground.
    • Belayer must catch a leader fall without losing control and with minimal rope play.
    • Belayer must spot the climber prior to the first clip.
    • Belayer must stand into the wall and to the side of the climber to ensure that the rope does not catch climbers leg/body during a fall.
  • Climbing
    • Leader must clip all quickdraws, in order.
    • Leader must clip carabiners in correct direction, without trouble.
    • Leader must clip at a level between their head and waist.
    • Leader must not Z-clip quickdraws.
    • Leader must appear safe.
    • Leader must be willing to take a reasonable fall.
 


 


 
 
Edgeworks Climbing
6102 North 9th Street, Suite 200 • Tacoma, WA 98406
Phone: 253-564-4899 • Fax: 253-564-4249
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 10:00am - 10:00pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10:00am - 7:00pm