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Climbing Safety Overview
Asking if climbing is safe is like asking if driving is safe: the only reasonable answer is “It depends.” In the case of driving, the safety of a driver depends upon factors like his or her skill and experience, the vehicle, the driving conditions and the actions of other vehicles.

In the same way, the safety level of climbing depends upon six basic factors:
•    Skill and judgment of the climber
•    Climber’s equipment
•    Terrain – rock, ice or other surface – being climbed
•    The way in which the climber is climbing that terrain
•    Weather
•    Actions of other climbers

Climbing on an Artificial Wall
If you are climbing on an artificial climbing wall with proper safety equipment and the guidance and assistance of a knowledgeable instructor, your chances of being seriously injured are extremely slim – far smaller than your chances of, say, getting in a car accident.

Here are a few of the most common artificial climbing wall injuries:
•    Bumps, scrapes and bruises, particularly on knees and elbows
•    Twisted ankles from rough landings
•    Tendonitis in the fingers, wrists or elbows from overtraining

You can avoid these kinds of injuries by being mindful of how you move when you climb, how intensely you climb, how you maneuver when close to the ground and how your body feels during and after climbing.

Climbing Outdoors
Climbing outdoors on a wall of real rock feels very different from climbing on an artificial wall. With competent instruction and proper safety equipment, climbing outdoors is very safe.

To be sure you’re getting safe instruction from a university program, outdoor school or guide service, ask if its staff members are certified by the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) or trained by AMGA-certified instructors. And, of course, observe all the precautions you would take any time you go outside for an extended period of time. Bring snacks, sunscreen, plenty of water, and suitable clothing and footwear.

For more on this topic, check out The Ten Commandments of Climbing Safety.

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