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Activity
Sport rock climbing
When
Descending
Injury
Minor injury
Incident
The belayer provided a 50m rope for a 28m climb, believing it to be 60m, and didn't use a stopper safety knot. As the climber, I trusted the belayer and didn't check the length or check for a stopper knot. Subsequently, I fell off the end of the rope on the descent and fell approx. 4-5 meters. I required mountain rescue and hospital treatment, but the injuries were soft tissue and whiplash, so very lucky escape.
Lessons
Always know the length of rope, use a stopper knot (preferably a figure of 8) and don't make assumptions about experience or competency of others.
Causes
Belaying failure or error
Anonymous?
Yes
Reported By
Participant
Wearing Helmets?
Yes
Rescue Services Involved?
Derby Mountain Rescue Team (Wirksworth/Ashbourne), Hazardous Area Response Team and an Air Ambulance crew. The rescue teams were required to evacuate me from the quarry for suspected c-spine (Back and neck) injuries.
Author
30 July 2020 at 15:22:42
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