Participation Statement "The Association of British Climbing walls’ (ABC) recognises that all climbing activities have a risk of serious injury. Participants must recognise that even if they follow all good practice there may still be the risk of accident and injury. It is the responsibility of the participant to adhere to the conditions of use." The following information will be used to create a document that you will read and then sign. Please note: Only climbers who provide satisfactory answers to the questions will be registered and allowed to climb unsupervised.
Conditions of Use
Risks - “The British Mountaineering Council recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.”
Although the climbing centre is an artificial environment the risks involved are no less serious than when climbing outside on a crag or mountain. There is an additional risk that bolt-on holds can spin or break.
The soft flooring under the bouldering walls is designed to provide a more comfortable landing for climbers falling or jumping from the bouldering wall. THE SOFT FLOORING DOES NOT MAKE THE CLIMBING ANY SAFER. Broken and sprained limbs are common on this type of climbing wall despite the soft landing. Uncontrolled falls are likely to result in injuries to yourself or others.
Climbing beyond your capabilities on any wall is likely to result in a fall. Any fall may result in an injury despite the safety systems in place to avoid it. You must make your own assessment of the risks whenever you climb.
Our Duty of Care - The rules of the climbing centre set out below are not intended to limit your enjoyment of the facilities. They are part of the duty of care that we, as operators, owe to you, the customer, by law. As such they are not negotiable and if you are not prepared to abide by them then the staff must politely ask you to leave.
Your Duty of Care - You also have a duty of care to act responsibly towards the other users of the centre. Statements of ‘Good Practice’ are posted around the centre adjacent to the relevant facilities. These describe the accepted methods of use and how customers would normally be expected to behave towards each other. Unsupervised Climbing - Before you climb without supervision the centre expects you to be competent in the use of a safety harness, a suitable knot to attach a rope to the harness and a belay device to secure a falling climber or lower a climber from the wall using a rope. You are required to register to say that you know how to use the equipment, that you are prepared to abide by the Rules below and that you understand the risks involved in your participation. Anyone who has not registered is classed as a novice and must not climb without supervision. Unsupervised climbing is just that! Staff will provide whatever help and advice they can, but instruction in the use of equipment or climbing techniques will only be provided where it has been booked and paid for in advance. If you are not confident in the use of any climbing equipment or technique, then do not attempt to use it without the supervision of someone who is competent to do so.
Supervised Climbing - An adult who has registered at the centre may supervise up to two novice climbers as long as they are prepared to take full responsibility for the safety of those people. Groups of three or more novices must only be supervised by an instructor holding a relevant Mountain Training qualification. Children – All children in the centre must be supervised by an adult unless they have been assessed by the management and registered for unsupervised climbing.
RULES General Safety
• Report to reception on each visit before you climb and follow the sign in procedure.
• You must exercise care, common sense and self-preservation at all times.
• Report any problems with the walls, equipment, other climbers’ behaviour or any concerning practice to a member of staff immediately.
• Be aware of the other climbers around you and how your actions may affect them.
• Do not distract people while they are climbing or belaying.
• Never stand or walk under someone who is climbing.
Equipment
• Always use a recognised climbing belay device attached to your climbing harness with a locking karabiner.
• All climbing equipment must be officially certified for climbing activities and used within the manufacturer’s recommendations and guidance.
Top Roping
• Many of the climbs in the centre have top ropes already in place which must not be removed for any purpose.
• The ropes are checked regularly however a visual inspection should still be carried out before climbing and any problems reported to staff.
• Top rope climbers may choose to tie in with a fig and stopper knot, or to use a locking karabiner with a fig of 8 (tied on a bight) with a stopper knot.
Lead Climbing
• When using the lead walls, you must supply your own climbing rated dynamic rope.
• The lead climbing walls are 8.5m in height. Rope lengths for lead climbing must exceed 30 meters in length.
• You must clip all the quick-draws on the route you are climbing.
• Top roping a lead route must use both anchor points on the lower-off.
• Clipping in with a karabiner is not acceptable when lead climbing.
Additional Safety points
• Always pay attention to what the climber is doing.
• When belaying, stand as close to the climbing wall as is practical. Sitting or lying down are not acceptable.
• Climbing without rope protection is not acceptable on any wall outside of the designated bouldering areas.
Bouldering
• Always climb within your capabilities and descend by down climbing or a hang and drop method.
• Falling from the bouldering wall should be done in a controlled manner.
• Never climb directly above or below another climber. • You should never attempt any form of acrobatic skills anywhere within the climbing wall. Gym Use • I hereby acknowledge that use of the gym facilities and equipment, participation in the classes, and in the training provided at Northway Climbing Centre exposes me to inherent risks which can include accidents, falls, illness, injury or even death.
• I confirm that I know of no medical, physical or mental reasons why I would not be capable of performing the physical activity in which I choose to participate at Northway Climbing Centre. I acknowledge my responsibility in communicating to a staff member prior to commencing activity, any physical and/or mental concerns affecting me which could conflict with participation in my chosen gym activities.
• I assume all risks of injuries associated with use of Northway Climbing’s Gym facilities including, but not limited to falls, contact with other participants, exercises and techniques taught to by staff at Northway Climbing Centre and all other risks being known and appreciated by me. • Having read this waiver and knowing these facts, in consideration of accepting my use of the gym facilities provided to me at Northway Climbing Centre. I agree to Hold Harmless, Waive and Release Northway Climbing Centre, its directors, employees, representatives, anyone else providing a service at Northway Climbing Centre and successors from any responsibility, liabilities, demands or claims of any kind arising out of my use of gym facilities at Northway Climbing Centre and any participation in training, classes or anything else organised by or on behalf of Northway Climbing Centre.
Release of Liability My participation, and that of any person(s) I am signing on behalf of, is purely voluntary, and I or they, elect to participate despite the risks. I certify that to the best of my knowledge, I do not suffer from any medical condition that might have the effect of making it more likely that I will be involved in an accident that could result in injury to myself or others. I recognise that bouldering and climbing are physical activities with a danger of personal injury or death. I am aware that there may be other incompetent users within the facility and accept the risk that they may pose to me. I understand the Northway safety video is only provided as a guide to best practice and does not replace formal instruction. I will notify the centre should any of my circumstances relating to this waiver or my personal information change. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to hold harmless Northway Climbing Centre, its owners and employees, with respect to all losses, damages, claims or other liabilities, whether known or unknown, arising out of any property damage, personal injury or wrongful death in any way connected to my participation, and that of any person(s) I am signing on behalf of, in activities both indoors and outdoors, that are hosted by or involve Northway Climbing Centre, its facilities/services or employees, with the exception of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. I authorise Northway Climbing Centre employees to provide or obtain medical assistance without liability, for me or any person(s) I am signing on behalf of, and if required, to arrange transport for me or them to a medical facility. I confirm that Northway Climbing Centre may use any photograph or video of me or any person(s) I am signing on behalf of, taken inside their facilities or at any activity hosted by them, for promotional purposes related solely to the advertisement of their business.
Participation Agreement
I certify that I have read and fully understand the ABC participation statement and Conditions of Use and Rules of the centre above and agree to abide by these. I understand that failure to exercise due care could result in my injury or death.
Declaration of Fitness
I certify that to the best of my knowledge, I do not suffer from a medical condition which might have the effect of making it more likely that I be involved in an accident which could result in injury to myself or others.
Declaration of Fact
I certify that the above information is correct and if any information changes I will notify the centre.
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