Article: It is important to get professional instruction before you begin to belay. Most gyms that have indoor climbing walls offer belaying instructions, and may require you to get a certification or pass a test before you can use their equipment on your own. Most belay classes will teach you the PBUS (Pull, Brake, Under, Slide) method. PBUS is a basic belaying technique that allows you to safely and steadily control the slack in the rope as your partner ascends. The PBUS technique involves using short, controlled, repetitive movements. The first part of the PBUS method is the "Pull." As the climber moves up, slowly pull down on the guide strand of your rope to take in the slack. The guide strand is the part of the rope that attaches to the climber. At the same time, pull up on the brake strand (the tail end of the rope) in order to feed the excess rope through the belay device. The B in PBUS stands for "Brake." Once you've removed enough slack from the climber's rope, pull down on the brake strand to hold the rope in place. Braking is one of the most important parts of belaying, since you will need to be able to brake quickly in case of falls. Make sure you always have at least one hand on the brake strand at all times. This is the "Under" part of the PBUS technique. Holding the brake strand in brake position, remove your hand from the guide strand and place it underneath your brake hand on the brake strand. This motion begins the process of repositioning your hands so that you have full control of the brake strand after a pull and brake. The S in PBUS is for "Slide." During the pull and brake parts of the PBUS maneuver, your brake hand will move away from the belay device, and will need to be moved back into place. Once you've put your guide hand under the brake hand, slide your brake hand up the brake line until it is about 3 inches (8 cm) from the belay device. Put your other hand back on the guide strand. Once the climber is ready to move again, repeat the whole process, starting with the pull. Practice going through the PBUS motions until they become natural and automatic. Before you try an actual climb, you and your partner can practice without tying in the climber. Instead, have the climber pull or release the rope to simulate the changes in tension you would experience during a real climb, and practice reacting appropriately.
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Sign up for a PBUS belay class. Practice the pull. Put your rope in brake position. Put your guide hand under your brake hand. Slide your brake hand back up the brake line. Repeat this process as the climber continues to ascend. Practice without tying in.