Rock climbing safely requires that you choose the appropriate climbing equipment. If you play basketball or volleyball and switch your regular shoes for a game, you might risk injury, but that action is highly unlikely to cause death. Rock climbing is different. If you make an equipment blunder, you risk a fall from a height that could cause some major damage. The harness you wear while rock climbing attaches your body to the rope that keeps you suspended in the air. You want to make sure you have a properly fitting harness before you have to depend on it in an emergency.
Step 1
Pick a harness that looks like it will fit around your girth. You may need to loosen the leg and waist buckles to do so.
Step 2
Pull the waist loop high around your belly as you step into the leg loops like you would a pair of pants.
Step 3
Tighten the waist buckle first. You want to tighten the buckle at your belly button instead of low-slung around your hips. If you don't have enough nylon strap to pull the buckle tight, graduate up to the next size harness. If you have too much nylon strap, go down a size.
Step 4
Pull the leg loops high around your thighs and tighten them slightly. They should feel snug, but you don't need to pull them as tight as the waist loop. Guys should make appropriate adjustments to their shorts or pants to protect their groin.
Step 5
Slide two fingers into your waist loop and twist them so the side of one finger rests against your waist. You should feel like you can rotate two fingers, but rotating three fingers easily indicates that you should tighten your harness or go down a size.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to a rock wall or sports store employee to get help while fitting the harness. They can show you how to check the harness for safety and fit. Harnesses must adhere to safety standards. If you are choosing a harness strictly for recreational purposes, choose a less expensive one rather than going high-end. You won't compromise safety, but you will save some money. Always get climbing instruction from a certified climbing instructor before hitting the crags on your own.
- When using your harness, always make sure that all three of the belt loops have been doubled-backed on themselves, preventing the strap from pulling out of the loop. If you don't double-back a loop you could risk injury or death.
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