Conditions of Use for The Depot Climbing Centre

BMC Participation statement - “The British Mountaineering Council recognises that climbing 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 and involvement.”

The Depot Climbing Centre is an artificial bouldering environment. The risks involved are no less serious than when climbing outside on a crag or mountain. There is an additional risk that bolt-on holds can spin or break. Should a hold spin or break please immediately inform a member of staff.

The soft flooring under the bouldering walls is designed to provide a more comfortable landing for climbers falling or jumping from the bouldering wall. THE SOFT FLOORING DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY. Uncontrolled falls are likely to result in injuries to yourself or others.

Climbing beyond your capabilities on any wall is likely to result in a fall. Any fall may result in an injury despite the safety systems in place to avoid it. You must make your own assessment of the risks whenever you climb.

Our Duty of Care - The rules of the climbing centre set out below are not intended to limit your enjoyment of the facilities. They are part of the duty of care that we, as operators, owe to you, the customer, by law. As such they are not negotiable and if you are not prepared to abide by them then the staff must politely ask you to leave.

Your Duty of Care - You also have a duty of care to act responsibly towards the other users of the centre. Statements of ‘Good Practice’ are posted around the centre adjacent to the relevant facilities. These describe the accepted methods of use and how customers would normally be expected to behave towards each other.

Unsupervised Climbing - Before you climb without supervision the centre expects you to be competent in the basic safety knowledge required to use the centre.

Avoid uncontrolled falls. Descend either by down-climbing or at least a controlled fall.
Keep the mat free of objects and obstructions like bags, clothing, chalk bags, brushes, bottles, keys etc.
Do not sit or stand under the wall when people are bouldering.
Spotting involves helping someone to control their fall, not trying to catch them. Do not attempt to spot someone unless you feel confident to do it properly. Make sure the climber wants you to spot them.
You are required to register to say that you know how to use the equipment, that you are prepared to abide by the Rules and that you understand the risks involved in your participation.
Anyone who wishes to climb must first register. They will be recorded as a supervised or unsupervised climber. Supervised members must always be signed in and supervised by an Over 18 unsupervised member whilst in the centre.

Autobelays - Anyone wishing to use the Auto belays must inform a staff member the first time they wish to use them. Before you climb on the Auto belays Unsupervised you must be competent in the basic safety knowledge required to use them safely:

You MUST have been signed off at Reception to use the Auto Belays
Check the climbing harness is correctly fitted and tightened.
Check Auto Belay operation by pulling out a short section and allowing it to retract.
Check the carabiner from the Auto Belay line is connected to the designated loop on the climbing harness and the gate is properly closed.
Ensure the carabiner latch gate is facing away from the climber.
Never climb alongside or above the Auto Belay.
Never start descent from above the Auto Belay.
Prior to descent, ensure descent path and landing area are free of people and obstructions.
Always descend feet first using feet to fend off obstacles and prepare for landing.
If the Auto Belay line fails to retract during climbing stop climbing immediately and request assistance.

Unsupervised climbing is just that. Staff will provide whatever help and advice they can, but instruction in the use of equipment or climbing techniques will only be provided where it has been booked and paid for in advance. If you are not confident in the use of any climbing equipment or technique, then do not attempt to use it without the supervision of someone who is competent to do so.

Supervised Climbing - An adult who has registered an Over 18 Unsupervised member at the centre may supervise up to two novice climbers if they are prepared to take full responsibility for the safety of those people. Groups of three or more novices must only be supervised by an instructor holding the relevant Mountain Leader Training qualification.

Under 18s - All children in the centre must be supervised by an Over 18 Unsupervised member unless they have been assessed by the management and registered for unsupervised climbing, which is authorised by parents. This can only happen for those 14 or over.

Adult Supervised Climber (18+)