Question:
We have plenty of people who could run it (its questionable whether you actually need an authorisation to use auto belays)
Under the old authorisation scheme, I would suggest a standard authorisation would NOT cover it. In the old authorisation scheme things are assessed against "relavent parts of the SPA" and the SPA, if I recall correctly does not cover the operation of auto belays. It would be in order to use one thats in place at a public wall, but that is just using it, someone else is setting it up and looking after it.
The new permit scheme is not tied to the SPA so unless the issued permit says not to use a specific belay device, then in theory I guess its permitted to use one.
What I was actually attempting to get to, was do you need an authorisation AT ALL to operate an auto belay device?
Take this example - you have a large camp, and have hired in two climbing walls, each with 4 auto belay climbs.
Answer:
First and foremost, why would you want to use auto-balays? Isn't scouting about development and learning, the process of tieing in and belaying your partner is a large part of the development of climbing, that can be introduced right from a scouts first climbs. The use of auto-belays turns it into a fairground ride type experience, up, down and onto the next activity, our Scouts deserve better.
Secondly the attempt to work around the need for authorisation with weaselly interpretations of the rules is also selling our scouts seriously short. You need qualified and experienced climbers on each rope if possible to help them get the most from the experience, to guide them, keep them happy, make them feel safe, coach them in the skills involvedetc etc.
Climbing is a sport that people can enjoy for a lifetime and it is our duty to put a bit of effort into their introduction to and development into that sport, Our scouts deserve better than a fairground ride approach by unqualified, unexperienced leaders. Let PGL use the auto belays and scouting be better by putting some effort into providing a better learning experience to help our scouts develop.
Finally whatever your qualification and whatever system you are using no one individual can supervise 4 routes on the 4 sides of a tower. You will not be able to see at least one of the routes, it is our duty not only to see that our scouts remain safe, but also to provide a bit of instruction/coaching and a fun learning/development experince. How can you do this for scouts that you cannot see or communicate with as they climb.
