About the Course

In this Rigging Lab Academy exclusive course, Belay Systems, we’re including both team and solo rescues, meaning a traditional belay as well as a lowering system. So while we don’t readily consider a belay system the same as a lower (a true belay is one of “non-tensioned” nature and with the building trend of twin or tandem tension systems on the rise), we thought it would be helpful to think in terms of today as well as tomorrow. So what does a twin tension lower have to do with a solo rescue? Both are now lowering systems and not a belay. As methods continue to evolve, so much the terms and reasoning behind them.

In rescue work, belaying is a process of protecting and arresting an accidental fall due to human error, or system failure. It involves the utilization of a backup lifeline from the rescue package to a belay device, which is securely attached to a secondary anchor. Belaying is an integral part of the rescue system, and it is done any time there is “exposure” to falling.

What You'll Learn

Once you enroll in the Belay Systems course, you'll learn must-know skills like:

  • Belaying with I'D

  • Belaying with MPD

  • Belaying with Tandem Prusiks

  • Using The Clutch for Belay

  • Using the Maestro for Belay

  • Belaying with GriGri

  • Belaying with Munter

  • The differences between lowers, belays, and hybrids

  • And more!

Learn from Some of the Best in the Industry

Learn more about the expert instructors

  • Rigging Lab Academy: Multiple Instructors

    Making the world safer, together

    Rigging Lab Academy: Multiple Instructors

    This course is brought to you through the efforts of multiple Rigging Lab Academy Instructors. These instructors have hand-selected material from their full-featured courses — all of which are exclusively available here at Rigging Lab Academy — and contributed them to a specific section or unit of this course. By blending the teachings of various instructors, Rigging Lab Academy members will gain exposure to different areas of expertise, course materials, and teaching methodologies.

Course Curriculum

  • 1
    Unit 1: Welcome to Belay Systems and Fall Protection
  • 2
    Unit 2: Belaying with I'D
    • 2.1 Video Tutorial: Rescue Lowers with Petzl I’D
    • 2.2 Video Tutorial: Stake Line Rescue
  • 3
    Unit 3: Belaying with Petzl Maestro
    • 3.1 Belaying with the Petzl Maestro
    • 3.2 Video Tutorial: Belaying with the Petzl Maestro
  • 4
    Unit 4: Belaying with MPD
    • 4.1 Using the MPD as a Belay Device
    • 4.2 Video Tutorial: TECH TIP | MPD Video Series: How to Load the MPD
    • 4.3 Video Tutorial: CMC Rescue MPD User's Guide by CMC Rescue School Instructor
    • 4.4 Video Tutorial: Inside 9 Pulley System Using the CMC MPD and Petzl ID
  • 5
    Unit 5: Belaying with CMC Harken Clutch
    • 5.1 CMC Harken Clutch Belay Introduction
  • 6
    Unit 6: Belay with the Petzl Maestro
    • 6.1 How To Belay with the Petzl Maestro
    • 6.2 Remote Belay with the Petzl Maestro
  • 7
    Unit 7: Belaying with Petzl ASAP
    • 7.1 How To Belay a Climber for Tower Access with the ASAP Lock
    • 7.2 HOW TO - Use the ASAP LOCK on a Vertical Lifeline in a Sloped Roof Application
    • 7.3 HOW TO - Use ASAP and ASAP LOCK on a Vertical Lifeline As a Backup
    • 7.4 Video Tutorial: Petzl ASAP on a Trackline
  • 8
    Unit 8: Wrap Up
    • 8.1 Wrap Up

Added Perks

Additional features Rigging Lab Academy Members are enjoying

  • Certificate of Completion

    Download your personalized Certificate of Completion after completing the course.

  • 100% Self-Paced

    Go through the course material as fast or as slow as you'd like.

  • Private Discussion Board

    Ask questions, meet other students, and even chat with the course instructor.

What Students Are Saying

  • Very good course

    Gabriel Jimenez

    There's a lot to learn in this course!

    There's a lot to learn in this course!

    Read Less

  • Pretty good!

    Dan Capicio

    All of the information, for the most part, is very good. However, I feel like there are some redundant videos, and I wish there were more quiz / learning che...

    Read More

    All of the information, for the most part, is very good. However, I feel like there are some redundant videos, and I wish there were more quiz / learning check questions for review.

    Read Less

  • Where's the Beef?

    John Lindstrom

    I just completed the Belay Systems course and I was confused by the amount of non-belay subject material that was included. I expected the sections on belayi...

    Read More

    I just completed the Belay Systems course and I was confused by the amount of non-belay subject material that was included. I expected the sections on belaying with Petzl iD, CMC MPD, Petzl ASAP, and Prusiks. I don't know why there were sections on tower pickoff rescues; hauling systems; and tandem rope systems. Was there something about belays tucked in those sections that I missed?

    Read Less