Climbing Site Belayer

The PCIA Climbing Site Belayer Certification is one day protocol based training program and evaluation created specifically for the needs of summer camps, climbing gyms and outdoor education programs.

The purpose of the Climbing Site Belayer course is to provide a nationally standardized curriculum of  instruction for individuals who provide supervision and belaying to participants at climbing sites.

The Climbing Site Belayer program is specifically designed to train staff in the key skills required to safely operate a climbing tower or to serve as a climbing or ropes course site assistant under the direction of more experienced, trained and certified staff who provide anchoring, system set-up, facilitation and rescue as needed.

The course curriculum helps participants develop good personal and professional climbing habits at the very beginning of their climbing instructor development and resolves several common climbing myths.

Specific course objectives include:

• Developing a professional demeanor, presenting with appropriate attire and essential and well-maintained personal equipment.
• Understanding the differences between recreational climbing and climbing instruction, effective supervision and risk management.
• Developing an effective site briefing for participants.
• Learning the nuances of harness type, selection, application, care.
• Learning the nuances of securing participants to the climbing rope.
• Demonstrating high quality belaying using both aperture (i.e. ATC, Reverso, etc.) and assisted locking devices (i.e. Grigri, Cinch).
• Understanding the role and use of ground anchors and back up belays in base managed climbing systems.
• Developing a working knowledge of basic climbing gear such as ropes, belay devices, carabiners, helmets and climbing shoes.
• Gaining a working knowledge of facility set up and on-going inspection, climbing hold maintenance, risk management.
• Learning to minimize bouldering hazards and to provide effective spotting techniques.
• Providing high quality educational delivery of basic climbing information.

Successful completion of the course results in a one year certification and PCIA membership, with benefits at the Climbing Gym Member level.

PCIA Climbing Site Belayer certification is also possible for candidates who participate in CWI or BMCI programs, who do not yet meet the educational and/or technical standards for CWI-A or BMCI-A.