Quickdraw facts for kids

A quickdraw is a special piece of equipment used in rock climbing. It helps climbers stay safe as they go up a rock face or climbing wall. Think of it as a link that connects the climber's rope to a safety point on the wall.

Quickdraws are mainly used in a type of climbing called lead climbing. In lead climbing, the climber clips their rope into safety points as they climb higher. This way, if they slip, they won't fall too far.

What is a Quickdraw?

A quickdraw is made of two strong metal clips called carabiners. These two carabiners are joined together by a tough fabric loop called a sling. The sling is usually made from strong materials like nylon or Dyneema.

How Quickdraws Work

When a climber is lead climbing, they first clip one carabiner of the quickdraw into a safety point on the wall. This safety point is often a bolt or a piece of gear placed in a crack. This is called an anchor.

After the quickdraw is attached to the wall, the climber then clips their climbing rope into the second carabiner. This creates a secure link between the rope and the wall. Climbers usually place quickdraws every few meters as they climb. This helps to reduce the distance they would fall if they slipped.

Parts of a Quickdraw

Each quickdraw has two carabiners, but they are slightly different:

• One carabiner has a straight gate. This is usually the one that clips into the anchor on the wall.
• The other carabiner has a bent gate. This one is always used for the climbing rope. The bent shape makes it easier and quicker to clip the rope in.

It's important to clip the bent gate carabiner correctly. The gate (the part that opens) should point away from the climbing wall or rock. It should also point away from the rope. This helps stop the quickdraw from twisting in a way that could accidentally open the gate. The rope should always run smoothly along the strongest part of the carabiner, which is its spine (the side opposite the gate).

Quickdraws are very strong! They can hold a lot of force, usually up to 22 kN. This means they are designed to handle the forces of a climber falling.

Quickdraws at Indoor Walls

At indoor climbing gyms, quickdraws are often already set up on the climbing routes. They are attached to the protection points along the wall. This makes it easier for climbers to practice lead climbing or even top roping (where the rope goes through an anchor at the top of the wall).

Images for kids

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  Two quickdraws. The upper has a solid bent gate for the rope and the lower a wire gate for it.

See also

In Spanish: Cinta exprés (escalada) para niños