Are auto belay devices safe to use or not?

Auto belays are automated belay devices that carry the slack as a climber mounts the climbing wall. The auto-belay devices empower people to climb even when having a partner is not feasible. It allows the climbers to climb on their specific schedule or execute larger groups of climbers at one go.

Auto belays are pretty standard in climbing walls and are also commonly seen on mobile climbing towers. History Belay Devices..

How Do Auto Belays Work?

An automatic belay device controls the slack while climbing, hence negating the inadequacy of a belayer on the surface. In case, the climber approaches the top of falls, the Auto-Belay promptly restricts the fall and lets the climber descend to the ground safely and automatically.

Benefits of TRUBLUE

- The self-regulating braking system has an insignificant variation in descent rate across the user weight range for a smooth descent.

- Non-contacting magnetic technology.

- Designed for indoor or outdoor use.

- Minimal maintenance and low cost of ownership.

- Available with four webbing connection types to fit the needs.

- TRUBLUE is designed for climbers and meets all the international safety standards.

- TRUBLUE auto belay has sustained extensive safety testing by an ISO 17025 accredited company.

How are Auto Belays constructed?

An auto-belay device comprises of mainly two parts: the internal mechanism and the outer shell.

The outer shell consists of a metal case for stability and an installation handle that secures the device to the wall. On the other hand, inside the auto-belay device, there is a long, nylon lanyard coiled tightly around a spring-loaded centre spool. Most auto-belays employ a similar mechanism for ascension, but the mode of descent fluctuates among different types of automatic belay devices.

Commonly, there are 2 types of braking systems used to control a descent: magnetic and friction-based.

1. Magnetic Auto-Belay Devices: For the braking purpose in this type of auto-belay, the design relies on magnets. There are two large magnets inside the device that are attached to a rotor. And when the climber slides down, the force of the slack being pulled out of the device spins the rotor. Most noteworthy, this, in turn, sends the magnets outwards from the centre of rotation. The outward motion drives the magnets closer to a metal plate that curls around the perimeter of the rotor. As the magnets get closer to the metal plate, an electromagnetic force is induced, which slows down the rate of descent to a safe and comfortable speed.

2. Friction Based (Centrifugal Force) Auto-Belay Devices: By definition, a centrifugal force is a type of inertia that creates an outward push when an object spins in a circle. In this type of auto-belay, the lanyard wraps around the drum brake and utilises centrifugal force to slow the climber as they descend. Most noteworthy, when the centre spinning wheel is employed in the opposite direction during a fall, the weight of the climber generates centrifugal force. This force accelerates internal brake pads out against the braking drum, thereby slowing the descent to a safe and controlled speed. The speed of descent on the Perfect Descent auto belay system depends on the weight of the climber - the heavier the climber is, the faster they will descend.

How to Use an Auto Belays

The most important thing to recognise when employing an auto belay for the first time is that the climber just has to clip into the lanyard and lock the carabiner for the auto-belay to work properly.

Any human error is the most significant liability when it proceeds to use auto-belays. You must also ensure that you clip to your harness before unclipping the lanyard from the ground anchor.

Why Use an Auto Belays

An auto-belay device benefits from performing laps up and down the wall over and over again, presuming no one is waiting for a turn. These laps improve endurance and overall technique. Also, downclimbing on an auto belay helps to refine the footwork.

Climbing steadily is a reason to use an auto belay. When the climber slows down the speed on the wall, it enables them to focus more awareness on the weaknesses and achieve to improve them as you go. You can transfer as slowly as possible, gripping each hold for a few moments to zero in on the technique and move the feet in the most productive way achievable.

Also, climbing in a straightforward route on an auto belay is an excellent way to warm up prior to accepting on larger projects in the gym. Furthermore, auto-belays support climbers to start a mock lead before ever connecting into the sharp end for real.

Many decades ago, auto-belays were designed specifically for rock climbing, which revolutionized indoor climbing and has only matured as safer and more effective over the years. In case, you are contemplating climbing on your own, there is no better way possible than with an auto-belay device.

With an auto-belay device, one can climb back to back routes frequently to practice the reach much faster. Persuading members to climb in off-peak hours lessens the congestion during those busy times.

The TRUBLUE Auto Belay is the latest technology of indoor and outdoor climbing wall auto belays. This belay is specifically designed for the climbing industry. There are thousands of these products employed in climbing gyms, ropes courses, family entertainment centres and more.

The result of years of research, development, and testing ends in the TRUBLUEs self-regulating magnetic braking system. Specifically for safety measures, this auto belay is designed for climbers and engineered. TRUBLUE auto belays are engineered to meet the strictest safety standards, including extensive testing by one of the leading certification bodies in the world, TUV/SUD Product Service GmbH.