The 2024 climbing hall accident statistics are here

Every year, the German Climbing Association (DAV) and the climbing hall association KLEVER publish an analysis of the accident data collected from German climbing and bouldering halls. The new report for 2024 includes Austrian halls for the first time.

The DAV safety research has the latest figures on Accidents in climbing and bouldering halls in 2024. Together with the Climbing Hall Association KLEVER The DAV collects annual accident statistics* using a reporting form – in 2024, for the first time, not only for German, but also for Austrian halls.

_{*The analysis only included accidents where an emergency service was deployed or where an inpatient hospital stay was known, as a solid database is available in these cases. Since it can be assumed that not all halls report their accidents equally, an unrecorded Dark figure to be run out.}

Significantly more accidents in bouldering than in climbing

In 2024, a total of 261 accidents with serious injuries or emergency services, 220 of which were in German and 41 in Austrian climbing and bouldering halls. Around 75 percent of all reported accidents occurred in the bouldering hall – the majority of them due to falls onto the bouldering mat (around 85%).

In terms of the type of injury, the accidents in bouldering and climbing differed significantly: Leg injuries predominated in both sportsHowever, in 2024 there were more frequent injuries to the torso, head or multiple injuries in climbing gyms.

Tie-in and securing errors are the main reasons for falls

This is most likely due to a total of 29 reported falls while climbing. These mostly occurred between the fifth and seventh anchor points. In 2024, two floor falls for the climbing person deadly.

The most common source of error in floor falls was the Incorrect operation of safety devices: e.g. violation of the braking hand principle or remaining in the device open position when paying out the rope.

The type of belay device was not decisive, according to the accident statistics: "Accidents occurred with every type of belay device and roughly correspond to the distribution of use of the belay devices."

Lead climbing & self-belaying particularly predestined

In the case of the two fatal falls to the ground, it had previously been Binding errors one of the tragic accidents occurred while using a Automatic belay devices, where the non-hanging of the system was the cause of the fall. "The lack of partner check is particularly problematic here," according to the DAV safety research.

Overall, almost half of all reported Falls and collisions when leading, followed by self-belaying and lowering. Fewer reported accidents occurred during top rope or fall training.

All results at a glance

The complete results of the accident statistics for climbing and bouldering halls 2024 are available for digital download.

The DAV also points out available resources on the topic of safety when climbing and bouldering and reminds you of the most important checks:

• In lead and top rope always partner check carry out!
• While climbing on the Automatic belay devices The partner check is missing, so check yourself every time!
• At the drain Always push/feed the rope slowly with your braking hand and don't go too fast. Pay attention to your stance and weight differences!
• At the Fall training ensure adequate backup, communication or ground clearance.

Selected DAV resources for accident prevention

• Information on fall and safety training
• Video: How to climb properly with auto-belays
• Securing with weight difference
• How to stop sport climbing falls correctly
• Video: How to use safety devices correctly

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Credits cover photo: DAV/Thilo Brunner