Though not safety specific, chalk and chalk bags are nonetheless incredibly important to climbers. A man who applied what he had learned in gymnastics to climbing rocks introduced chalk to the sport in the 1960s. The purpose of chalk is to dry up the sweat that appears on your hands when you get nervous and the purpose of chalk bags are to hold that chalk in a convenient place for climbers to access it. Chalk bags are made out of various materials, but typically have an inner layer of soft material such as fleece or cotton, a more durable outer layer of nylon or something comparable, a draw string to keep the valuable chalk in the bag when it's not being used and a loop with which to clip it to a harness or thread a belt. Climbers enjoy a few different options for chalk, which is basically magnesium carbonate, but some chalks are "chalkier" than others; some comes in chalk ball form while others can be sprayed on. For example, the climbing company Metolius makes Super Chalk, which has an added safe drying agent. Liquid chalk isn't really that opportune because you either have to roll it on or spray it on, which are things you need two hands to do. Some people also use chalk for sweaty feet.
What to Look for
When choosing a chalk bag, the main thing to consider is how your hand fits into the opening of the bag. Bags that are too small for big mitts will only allow a climber to dip her fingers in. Some people are fine with this style, while others want to submerge their entire hand into the bag, (which is also nice when it gets cold). Boulderers like to have giant chalk bags, which are good not only for totally whitening your hand, but also if there are numerous people using the same bag. Try different kids of chalk to see which one works best for you. They all work well.
Common Pitfalls
One common pitfall of chalk is that it leaves layers of powder on climbing holds, making them unattractive, gooey, greasy, or otherwise gunked up. Bring a toothbrush with you to brush off frequently chalked holds. The strings or the clasp used to cinch a chalk bag closed often break, which makes it difficult to keep the chalk in the bag. Though not expensive, it's still a bummer to sit on a chalk bag after a climb and watch all its contents pour down the rock.
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