Vertical caving terminology and methods > Ladders, climbs and older techniques
A method of creating friction with a lifeline by wrapping it around the body when belaying. The belayer has to be able to keep up with any movements that the climber makes, so a less complex arrangement must be used, rather than the arrangement used for a classic abseil. Typically, the lifeline is passed around the back of the belayer, and then held in both hands, before and after it wraps around the body. This is similar to a shoulder abseil, but the rope is typically held lower on the back. The friction can be adjusted by bringing the hands closer together at the front. If the belayer needs to pull the lifeline as the other person climbs, then they need to alternately pass it between their hands, so that one hand is always holding the unloaded end of the lifeline, while the other moves further along it. This relies on strength far more than using a dedicated belay device or Italian hitch, and is more prone to mistakes when switching hands. The belayer usually sits down, with their feet facing towards the climb, wedged against something sturdy, such as a heavy boulder, or a rock flake. Body belaying is actively discouraged, since catching a fall is far harder than just holding the weight of a climber. The lifeline must always pass through a carabiner or some other attachment which is clipped to an anchor or natural, so that in the event of the fall, the belayer is not pulled off the edge of a pitch. However, if you have a carabiner, it would be far better to use an Italian hitch at the carabiner, than to use body belaying for friction.
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