During belaying, which action is forbidden with the break hand?

During belaying, which action is forbidden with the break hand?

• A. Never look away from the participant
• B. Never let go of rope with your break hand
• C. Never tighten the rope
• D. Never communicate with the participant

Answer: (B)

In belaying, the brake hand is the active control for the rope; it must always stay in contact with the rope to provide the friction needed to arrest a fall. Letting go of the rope with your brake hand would release that control, allowing the rope to run through the device and the climber to descent or fall unchecked. The other actions—keeping eyes on the climber, communicating, and managing rope with the other hand as needed—are important parts of belaying, but they do not involve releasing control with the brake hand. Therefore, the action forbidden with the brake hand is letting go of the rope.

In belaying, the brake hand is the active control for the rope; it must always stay in contact with the rope to provide the friction needed to arrest a fall. Letting go of the rope with your brake hand would release that control, allowing the rope to run through the device and the climber to descent or fall unchecked. The other actions—keeping eyes on the climber, communicating, and managing rope with the other hand as needed—are important parts of belaying, but they do not involve releasing control with the brake hand. Therefore, the action forbidden with the brake hand is letting go of the rope.