Climbing calls should be standard because standard climbing calls make communication easier/help avoid confusion. [Teachers’ note: compare climbing calls with road signs.]
Climbing calls should be clear & crisp so that they are readily understood [especially if it is windy/the climber & belayer can’t see each other, etc.]
Teachers’ notes:
It is obviously valuable for students to learn the standard calls that you will use before they climb (even if only immediately before). If you go indoor climbing before you go outdoor climbing, communicating should be practised just like other skills (e.g. belaying).
If you are outsourcing the climbing, check first with the climbing company what climbing calls they use.
It is worth reinforcing basic points (like the climber does not start climbing until they hear the final “okay”).
