Please ensure you have fully read and understood the following rules, in addition to completing the Climbing Disclosure Form before attending the centre for your first climb.

“Climbing can provide life-long physical, social and mental health benefits through exercise and adventure in amazing environments. The BMC recognises these activities involve a risk of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

BMC Participation Statement (2024)

YMCA’s Two-Way Duty of Care

YMCA Taunton is committed to providing a safe climbing environment through regular equipment inspections, facility maintenance, safety inductions, and providing trained staff to support users. Users of the facility also have a responsibility to act safely and responsibly, including supervising anyone under 18 in their care. Following safety guidelines and respecting other users is required. Failure to do so may result in being asked to leave the facility.

All indoor climbing activities at YMCA Taunton involve inherent risks. While these risks are mitigated through the YMCA’s adherence to industry best practices, they cannot be completely eliminated and rely on you, the user, to take reasonable steps to ensure your own safety. Failure to follow safety guidelines may result in serious injury or death. By signing this form, you agree to follow all safety instructions provided during the induction and displayed throughout the facility.

Unsupervised Climbing

To climb unsupervised or supervise others, participants must demonstrate basic safety competency during the practical induction. This includes independent use of auto belays and completion of four key safety tasks. If these competencies are not met, additional supervision or training will be required, at the discretion of the staff member on duty.

General Rules

  1. Report to reception before climbing.
  2. All individuals under the age of 18 must always be supervised by a responsible adult.
  3. Follow all safety instructions from the induction and posted signage within the facility.
  4. No food or open drinks in the facility.
  5. Report any equipment or facility issues to staff.
  6. Report any accidents or incidents to staff.
  7. Familiarise yourself with the location of fire exits.
  8. Be courteous and respectful to other users.
  9. Shoes must be worn.  Please ensure they are clean and securely attached to your feet.

Before Climbing

  1. Familiarise yourself with the safety systems.
  2. Belongings stored in cubby holes provided.
  3. Empty your pockets of hard objects.
  4. Remove jewellery, where possible, or cover with tape to prevent catching.
  5. Tie long hair back.
  6. Remove loose clothing and store it in cubby holes.
  7. Minimize excessive loose chalk use and allow liquid chalk to dry before climbing.

Auto Belay

  1. No climbing directly above or below others.
  2. No helmets on the Auto Belays.
  3. Carefully check all safety harnesses and attachment to Auto Belay.
  4. Perform a retraction test to make sure Auto Belay is working.
  5. Do not touch Auto Belays units or climb above them when at the top of climb.
  6. Stay on the designated route.
  7. No holding climbing bolts.
  8. Try not to monopolise climbs.

Top Rope Use

  1. No climbing directly above or below others.
  2. Helmets can be worn if you provide your own.
  3. Ensure partner checks are done prior to leaving the ground.
  4. The Rethread Figure of 8 is to be used as a tie-in method, and it must have a minimum 10cm tail once sinched and dressed.
  5. Ensure the belayer is always holding the braking line and able to keep pace with the climber.
  6. No improvised belaying methods to be used.
  7. No holding climbing bolts.
  8. A ballast bag is used when there is a considerable weight differential between the climber and the belayer.