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Activity
Trad rock climbing
When
Ascending
Injury
No injury
Incident
This is a 4 pitch climb. My climbing partner was leading the 3rd pitch and had to climb over a bulge to get to the next belay point, hence I couldn't see him anymore and it was harder to hear what he was saying. Soon after he went out of sight I heard him shout "safe" so I took him off belay. Then suddenly started to panic as I doubted whether he might have said "take" instead. Thankfully I was right and he was safe but that would have been one fatal mistake..
Lessons
I'm still sweating at the idea of this, it could have turned out so badly especially considering we were on the 3rd pitch and probably around 40m high. Communication is so important and I have realised that even such a simple mistake could potentially lead to terrible consequences. It is important to always have a set protocol of communication with your climbing partner, and making sure it is clear. We have now changed "safe" to "I'm safe", which makes it much easier to distinguish, but maybe changing it completely to "off belay" as I saw suggested in one of the other incident reports may be even better. Alternatively, taking a phone up so you can call your climbing partner may be useful although obviously you need a free hand for this so might not always be possible. From now on, if in doubt, I will always make 100% sure that what I heard is right before acting or at least assume it's the one that will at least keep my climbing partner the safest.
Causes
Communication
Anonymous?
Yes
Reported By
Partner
Wearing Helmets?
Yes
Rescue Services Involved?
Author
12 May 2019 at 20:54:26
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