Climbing is dangerous. You need to do everything you can to mitigate the effects of gravity and falling.

Redundancy is key. Always back-up every important piece of gear with another piece of gear and use more

than one anchor at a belay and rappel station. Your life depends on it. Beginner climbers are most

vulnerable to accidents. Always use sound judgment; respect climbing dangers; don't climb over your head;

find an experienced mentor or take climbing lessons from an experienced guide to learn how to climb safe.

Remember that most accidents happen because of climber error. Use the following 10 tips to keep safe

when you're out rock climbing.

Adam Kubalica/Flickr

1. Always Check Harnesses

After you've geared up and tied into the rope at the base of a route, always check that both the climber's

and belayer's harness buckles are doubled back. Make sure the leg loops are also snug; most harnesses

have adjustable leg loops.

Photograph Stewart M. Green

2. Always Check Knots

Before you start climbing, always double check to make sure that the lead climber's tie-in knot (usually

a Figure-8 Follow-Through) is tied correctly and finished with a backup knot. Also check that the rope is

threaded through both the waist loop and the leg loops on the harness.

Photograph Stewart M. Green

3. Always Wear a Climbing Helmet

A climbing helmet is essential if you want to live long and prosper. Always wear one when climbing or

belaying. Helmets protect your head from falling rocks and from the impact of falling. Remember that your

head is soft and the rock is hard. Head injuries from falls and rockfall are serious life-changing events. A

helmet keeps your head safe.

Photograph Stewart M. Green

4. Always Check the Rope and Belay Device

Before you lead a route, always double check to make sure that the rope is properly threaded through

the belay device (especially if it is a GriGri). Also, always make sure that the rope and belay device are

attached with a locking carabiner to the belay loop on the belayer's harness.

Photograph Stewart M. Green

5. Always Use a Long Rope

Make sure your climbing rope is long enough to reach the anchors and lower back down on a sport route or

to reach a belay ledge on multi-pitch routes. When sport climbing, if you have any doubt that the rope is too

short, always tie a stopper knot in the tail end to avoid being dropped to the ground.

Photograph Stewart M. Green

6. Always Pay Attention

When you're belaying, always pay attention to the leader above. He is the one taking the risks of a fall and

leading the route. It is smart to never visit with other climbers at the base, talk on a cell phone, or discipline

your dog or kids while you are belaying. Never take the leader off belay unless you are absolutely certain

that he is tied into the anchors and safe and he communicates clearly with climbing commands to you that

he is safe and ready to lower or rappel.

Photograph Stewart M. Green

7. Always Bring Enough Gear

Before you climb a route, always eyeball it from the ground and determine what you equipment you need to

bring. You know best. Do not rely strictly on a guidebook to tell you what to bring. If it is a sport climbing

route, verify visually how many bolts need quick draws. If in doubt, always bring a couple more quick draws

than you think you need.

Photograph Stewart M. Green

8. Always Climb With the Rope Over Your Leg

When you are leading a route, always make sure that the rope is over your leg rather than between them or

behind one leg. If you fall with the rope in this position, you will flip upside down and hit your head. Wear

a climbing helmet for protection.

Photograph Stewart M. Green

9. Always Properly Clip the Rope

Make sure you always clip your rope through carabiners on quick draws correctly. Avoid back clipping,

where the rope runs front to back rather than back to front in the carabiner. Make sure the carabiner gate

faces opposite to your direction of travel, otherwise the rope can come unclipped. Always use locking

carabiners on important placements.

Photograph Stewart M. Green

10. Always Use Safe Anchors

At the top of a pitch or route, always use at least two anchors. Three is better. Redundancy keeps you

alive. On a sport route, always use locking carabiners if you are lowering down to top-rope climb off the

anchors.

1. Always Check Harnesses2. Always Check Knots3. Always Wear a Climbing Helmet4. Always Check the Rope and Belay Device5. Always Use a Long Rope6. Always Pay Attention7. Always Bring Enough Gear8. Always Climb With the Rope Over Your Leg9. Always Properly Clip the Rope10. Always Use Safe Anchors