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Glossary

ACCT: Association for Challenge Course Technology. A national association established to set safe building and implementation standards for the field of challenge course construction and operation.

Belay: In a Ropes Course context, the rope or technique that is used to protect a climber from falling to the ground. A belay can be either dynamic or static.

BUS Method: A method of belaying a participant. The BUS describes the movement of the belayer's hands: brake, under, slide.

Belay Cable: A horizontal lifeline made from flexible wire rope.

Confidence Course: A series of events created by the military in 1941, designed to assess men's mental confidence.

Dynamic: A rope or system capable of stretching, giving, or elongating when stopping a fall or force applied to the system. In a Ropes Course context, it refers to either a type of course, a type of belay, or the rope itself.

Dynamic Rope: A rope that has approximately 4% - 8% stretch under static load.

Element: A physical structure or device designed specifically for challenging individuals or groups within a ropes course program under the supervision of qualified ropes course staff

Inclusion: Planning and facilitating activities that provide meaningful roles and opportunities for all persons.

Initiatives: Unique activities that are problem-solving in nature.

Leading Edge: A leading edge environment is one in which an overhead belay system, or conventional fall protection, is not available.

Obstacle Course: A series of events created by the military in 1941, designed to assess men's physical abilities and fitness.

SSS Method: A method of belaying a participant. The SSS describes the movement of the belayer's hands: slip, slap, slide.

Safety Lanyard: A specific length of material used as a part of a personal fall arrest system to attach from a participant, or facilitator, to a belay point.

Shelf Life: The amount of time, according to the manufacturer, that a product is good for when stored in a cool, dry place.

Spotting: Actively safeguarding the movements of another participant by movement and placement of the spotter's own body.

Static: Very low stretch. In a Ropes Course context, it refers to either a type of Ropes Course, a type of belay, or the rope itself.

Static Rope: A rope that has approximately 2% - 4% stretch under static load.

Universal: A design that creates a broadly inclusive environment that discretely blends together a variety of design concepts, including Accessibility, into a range of meaningful options for all users.

Waivers: Also called release of liability or voluntary release forms, are contracts indicating that the participant voluntarily relinquishes the right to hold the organization or its staff legally liable in case of negligence by the service provider when that negligence results in injury.