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ROPES CONSTRUCTION>
BUILDING TECHNIQUES> BELAY POST |
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WOLF BUILDING STANDARDS
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| Participant belay post are an excellent way to get many more participants involved in the ropes course experience. Many people find the belaying process more fearful and impacting than climbing. During debrief many people say "knowing that I had their life in my hands was terrifying". Besides getting everyone
involved, belay posts teach responsibility and emphasize the meaning of teamwork. |
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| Once the belay post has bee set and the rope holes drilled, it is important to smooth the inside of the hole to prevent damage to the rope from splintering. Take a 20' piece of cable (1/2" preferred but 3/8" will work) and thread it through all three holes. Using a sawing action with two
people you can clean out saw dust and debris while smoothing the inside and the sharp edges of each hole. |
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| You may also use a step bit to flare the edge of each hole. We recommend treating the inside of each hole with CCA, ACQ or some other acceptable water born treatment. Allow the treated surface to dry at least 5 days before use. The treatment chemicals can damage ropes if used to soon. |
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| BELAYING PROCEDURE |
| A minimum of three participant is needed; we recommend four. Participants line up behind the post, each holding the rope with both hands. The first person must be at least four feet from the post. If they get to close, their fingers may get sucked into the belay post hole with the ropes upon lowering
(OUCH!). |
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| Once the climber is hooked in and the proper communication calls are made, the belay teams take up rope to keep the belay snug to the climber. The method of taking up rope is very important. THE BELAY TEAM MUST KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE ROPE AT ALL TIMES. They must use the slide-slide method
instead of the hand-over-hand method of moving the rope. This way they always have both hands on the rope. |
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| The same method must be used for lowering the climber. Again, it is very important to keep the first belayer at least 4 feet away from the post. belay teams should be carefully monitored as this slide-slide method is somewhat of a unnatural way to move a rope. In some cases it may be advisable
to increase the amount of friction when lowering the climber. This cab be accomplished by having the belay team swing 90 degrees around the post. This adds an extra turn in the rope and increases the friction by as much as 30%. |
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| INSPECTION |
| Belay posts should not have any movement when pushed or pulled. Occasionally small insects will make their home inside the rope holes. Thes hole should be checked for anything poisonous or threatening before threading the rope through. Large check and splits that intersect any of the rope holes are
cause for concern and may warrant replacement. |
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WOLF TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPROPER USE OF THIS INFORMATION. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMPETE PICTURE OF BELAY POST INSTALLATION AND USE. IT IS INTENDED AS A REFERENCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCED & CERTIFIED WITH ROPES COURSE CONSTRUCTION AND BELAY TECHNIQUES. THIS DOCUMENT IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR
PROPER TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE. |
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