If your partner calls for 'take' during a belay, what should you do?

• A. Continue feeding rope
• B. Stop feeding rope, lock the brake hand, confirm readiness and intent, and resume only when the climber communicates they are ready
• C. Yell instructions
• D. Move closer to edge

Answer: (B)

Taking rope is a signal that the climber wants you to arrest rope feed and get ready to secure the next move. The best response is to stop feeding rope, lock the brake hand to hold the rope firmly, and check with the climber that they are ready and intend to continue before you resume feeding. This sequence keeps tension controlled, reduces rope slack, and establishes clear, mutual readiness, which is essential for a safe belay.

Continuing to feed rope would ignore the climber’s signal and could allow the rope to go slack or pull unexpectedly if they start moving. Yelling instructions introduces noise and confusion rather than clear, calm coordination. Moving closer to the edge isn’t addressing the immediate need to manage rope tension and confirm the climber’s readiness.