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Activity
Trad rock climbing
When
Ascending
Injury
No injury
Incident
Leader was climbing the second pitch of a multi-pitch route. Out of sight of the belayer. Leader got pumped and started down-climbing to his last runner. As down climbing and about to fall off due to pump he shouted 'Take!'. Belayer thought the leader was shouting 'Safe!' and so shouted up 'Off Belay!'. Luckily, the belayer's habit was to shout off-belay before actully taking the leader off belay. So the leader had time to shout back that he needed to take. Disaster averted, just.
Lessons
Miscommunication between leader and belayer. 'Safe' and 'Take' sound too similar at distance and when out of sight can lead to dangerous misunderstanding.. 'Off belay' and 'Take' perhaps a better system of calls.
Causes
Miscommunication
Anonymous?
Yes
Reported By
Partner
Wearing Helmets?
No
Rescue Services Involved?
none
Author
11 February 2020 at 16:20:48
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