Executive Summary

Rescue belays have been the subject of significant research into the forces generated during a belay event, reduction of these forces and failure of belay systems. 

 Rescue belays are limited in their ability to protect the rescue load by the very characteristics of the technology we use.

There are real risks to the rescuer and casualty due to the distance travelled during the belay event, and the speed attained during the belay event. To date this has largely been ignored in rescue belay research.

There are avenues for future research and development into effective rescue belaying methods, but a departure from current practice is required.

Single Rope Rescue Protocols provide an effective safe alternative to belayed rescue systems if properly applied.

Belays have their place, but they have limitations and (so far) hidden risks as well.

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