Guides · Games and tactics · 9 November 2026 · Thomas Schüller
Climbing: partner check before every climb
Why most accidents in climbing gyms happen while belaying and lowering and how the partner check prevents them.
Indoor climbing is popular and considered safe. Yet the accident statistics of the alpine clubs show year after year that a large share of accidents stems from errors in belaying and lowering, not from the wall or the equipment.
The partner check
Before every climb both check each other: Is the harness put on correctly and closed? Is the tie-in knot tied correctly and threaded through both tie-in points? Is the belay device loaded correctly and the carabiner locked? Is the rope end knotted?
While belaying
The brake hand always stays on the rope. Lower slowly and evenly, watching the climber. Distraction by conversation is a frequent cause of errors.
With the climbing tool
The tool guides through partner check, knots, fall physics and equipment, with a learning module and notes per country. It does not replace a climbing course.
Key point: Partner check before every climb, brake hand always on the rope, full attention when lowering.
References
- Deutscher Alpenverein; Verband der Kletterhallen (2026): Kletterhallen-Unfallstatistik 2025. Sicherheitsforschung des Deutschen Alpenvereins, Deutschland und Österreich.
- Deutscher Alpenverein (2023): Indoor-Klettern Basics. Schulungsbroschüre, Jänner 2023.