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► Code of Practice

Welcome all. This is our informal, although highly formal sounding, club code of practice. You have been warned. Anyone wishing to view the official consitution and saftey policy, pop into the student activities office where they will happily show you.

Glamorgan University Climbing Club
Code of Practice

1: Membership

Those defined as a member herein are persons who have paid the annual subscription fee to the club treasurer and obtained a membership card in return.

2: Participation

A,    Glamorgan University Climbing Club (referred to as GUCC) recognizes that participants in climbing and mountaineering should be aware that these are activities with a danger of personal injury or death and that individuals should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

Members Should:

B,     At all times when climbing with the club, listen and act on any instruction given by a committee member or trip leader/instructor without delay.

C,     Upon noticing any sign of danger, notify a member of committee or the trip leader/instructor without delay.

D 1,    Be aware that all novices and beginners should first attend numerous Wednesday night indoor sessions prior to attendance on an outdoors trip. At these sessions training will be provided by a qualified instructor in the basic techniques of belaying and tying in using an appropriate knot (figure of 8). Only once members have been assessed by the instructor as competent will they be permitted to attend outdoors trips. Although when indoors, club members will be supervised by an instructor, they should be aware that ultimately the responsibility of learning and personal safety lies with the member themselves.

D 2,    Be aware that on outside trips, the club exists to bring climbers together and facilitate the progression of the sport. Experienced members are more than happy to introduce novices to the sport safely, but members should be aware that we are not professional instructors. There will not always be a qualified instructor in attendance, particularly on short trips, and as such the responsibility of learning and personal safety lies with the member themselves.

E,     Not participate in any activities unsupervised that the member is not capable of conducting in a safe manner without endangering themselves or those around them, including non-club members. Failure to respect this, and putting yourself and other people in danger due to direct negligence may lead to dismissal from the club, or being banned from further trips until professional instruction and a reassessment of competence is obtained by the member.


F,     Be aware of the environmental and ethical issues surrounding the sport and in particular the area in which activities are taking place, and make every effort to minimise impact.


3: Equipment

The club has a store of various equipment for use by club members on club trips. This equipment must be respected and maintained by those using it and is not solely the responsibility of the kit manager who cannot be held responsible for personal negligence or misuse. Guaranteeing that your equipment is in a safe condition for use is as much your responsibility, as it is the committees. Basic informal training on equipment maintenance can be provided but Use common sense:

Α    Any member using club equipment will be held responsible for negligent loss or damage to that equipment and will be expected to replace such items.

Β    Do not stand on climbing or abseil ropes.

C,    Do not get ropes wet or uncoil on damaging surfaces (mud, sand, abrasive substances)

D,    Members must inform the kit manager of any damage to equipment or equipment loss no matter how minor so that it may be logged, this includes lead falls regardless of severity.

Ε    Member’s personal equipment is not insured under Union insurance. It is recommended that you obtain your own insurance for your kit.

F,    Use of kit is at the discretion of the committee and it will not be provided to those deemed inexperienced in it’s use unless under direct supervision from a fully competent person.
 

4: Whilst Climbing

Α     Members are advised to wear safety helmets at all times when climbing or belaying outdoors. These can be provided by the club.

Β     It is your responsibility to ensure your harness is correctly fastened, and double backed (c-locked) if appropriate. Ensure you are tied in correctly. If in doubt please ask a committee member or trip leader/instructor. Use of a buddy system in checking is advised.

C,    The trip leader/instructor can advise you of routes suitable for your level of ability. Be honest when assessing your own ability so as not to put yourself and others in danger. Ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure you do not climb out of your depth.

D,     Start long difficult routes in good time and allow sufficient daylight hours to prevent benightment and increased danger. It is recommended to take a head torch and some tat if multi-pitching.

E,     Those undertaking multi pitch routes must be fully competent in leading, ropeworks, stance management, and retreating or escaping from climbs. If you are not, do not do this. Instruction cannot be provided for multi pitch routes, although formal ropeworks training courses may be organised from time to time.

F,     It is recommended to carry prussik loops when climbing outdoors, and to be proficient in their use as both an autobloc, and emergency ascender.

G,    Always keep at least one hand on the dead rope whilst belaying. Never let go under any circumstances.

Η    Belaying requires as much concentration as climbing, be constantly aware.
 
Ι    Always show respect and consideration to fellow climbers, and to the ethics of a particular crag or region.

J,    Always use prussik loops or other autobloc devices when abseiling.


5: Training

Be aware that all novices and beginners should first attend numerous Wednesday night indoor sessions prior to attendance on an outdoors trip. At these sessions professional training will be provided by a qualified instructor in the basic techniques of belaying and tying in using an appropriate knot (figure of Only once members have been assessed by the instructor as competent will they be permitted to attend outdoors trips. Although when indoors, club members will be supervised by an instructor, they should be aware that ultimately the responsibility of learning and personal safety lies with the member themselves. When attending outdoors trips be aware that the club exists to bring climbers together and facilitate the progression of the sport. Experienced members are more than happy to introduce novices to the sport safely, but members should be aware that we are not professional instructors. Ultimately the responsibility of learning and personal safety lies with the member themselves.

The club is run in the basis of passed down knowledge in line with the ethics and practice of climbing and mountaineering countrywide. The continued success of the club relies upon your learning and receiving of this knowledge, gaining experience, and then your own willingness to pass these techniques on in future years.

Saying this we are very keen to increase the knowledge and safety awareness of members, and for this reason, the committee will attempt to organise various training courses throughout the year at a subsidised cost, and run by fully qualified SPA or MIA instructors. Alternatively attending a longer trip attended by instructors is a good way to learn and gain experience in safety awareness.
We attempt to run courses in rope works and stance management, outdoor climbing including set up and leading, multi pitch climbing, navigation, technique coaching.


6: Committee Positions

A basic and flexible outline of the responsibilities of committee members is noted below. Bear in mind that although there are separate responsibilities, the task of running the club is a general responsibility of the committee, and although you should make every effort to contact the appropriate committee member with any concerns, you can approach any of us for whatever reason.

President
Ultimately responsible for the running and organisation of the club. Finalizes any disputed matters arising with regards to membership, activities, spending, and acts as a liaison between the club and the students union, BMC, and climbing walls.

Kit Manager/Saftey Officer
Responsible for maintaining and purchasing of pooled club equipment, including handing out, collecting, and logging use/misuse.



Secretary
Responsible for the organisation and administration of club matters such as the constitution, booking of minibuses, trips forms, club activities, and various other organisational matters. Also responsible for registering new members.

Treasurer
Responsible for club funds. Income, outgoings, budget and spending. All monies should be paid to the treasurer. Also responsible for collecting monies and registering new members, and sorting out the all important matter of club hoodies.

Social Secretary
Responsible for the conception and organisation of all club social events.

7:

BMC PARTICIPATION STATEMENT
The BMC recognises that climbing, hill walking 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