Lead climbing with spouse at indoor wall. Belayer chose to use a GriGri rather than regularly used tube style belay device for safety reasons, assisted breaking device generally accepted as safer device when used correctly. Belayer was new to using GriGri but competent with regular tube style device.

While lowering, belayer mistakenly tried to control rate of decent by controlling feeding rope with hand rather than using cam arm. Belayer let go of rope due to heat of friction with cam wide open, dropping climber approx 15ft. Belayer let go of cam arm to stop decent and leader had a fast landing but no adverse effects.