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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/climb-auto-belay-clip-in

In climbing gyms, what does the Climbing Wall Association call the leading cause of auto belay deaths?

Forgetting to clip in to the auto belay.

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  1. Auto belay devices breaking
  2. Climbers being too heavy
  3. Forgetting to connect to the auto belay ✔

Why: An auto belay only works if you clip its lanyard to your harness belay loop. The CWA says forgetting this is the leading cause of indoor climbing fatalities, so always double check before you climb.

Huh, didn't know that: A CWA-commissioned study found only 10% of climbers double-checked their auto belay connection.

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Auto belays are very loyal. They only work for those who connect.
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References

Answer: Forgetting to connect to the auto belay. An auto belay only works if you clip its lanyard to your harness belay loop. The CWA says forgetting this is the leading cause of indoor climbing fatalities, so always double check before you climb.

  1. Climbing Wall Association: Auto Belay Position Paper www.cwapro.org/file/secure/auto-belay-position-paper---final-version.pdf
    Forgetting to connect to the auto belay is the leading cause of fatalities in indoor climbing.
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. Climbing Wall Association: Updated Auto Belay Guidance Released www.cwapro.org/blog/updated-auto-belay-guidance-released
    Only 10% double-checked their auto-belay.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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