0 to control a rope that a climber is attached to and keep it tight, so that if the climber falls, they do not fall very far:
With the right belay device, a small, weak climber can easily arrest the fall of a much heavier partner.
Many belay devices can be used to control either one rope, or two ropes in parallel.
Most climbing gyms lend harnesses, ropes and belay devices.
The person climbing is said to be on belay when one of these belaying methods is used.
Silent belay communication is possible via tugging the rope.
Dynamic rope is used to belay climbers, and is designed to stretch under a heavy load to absorb the shock of a fallen climber.
In rockclimbing, a solo climber can use a special device that allows self-belay.
The belayer can belay either from the top or base of the route.
