Munich - Making a mistake while indoor climbing can be a painful experience but it's difficult to avoid.

Studies have shown that climbing errors are not related to age, according to Stefan Winter of the German Alpine Association in Munich.

Older climbers make as many mistakes as young novices and inexperienced climbers are just as liable to make a mistake as people who have been climbing for years.

However, it is possible to minimise the chance of making a mistake.

Trained climbers make only half as many errors as people who have no training.

Winter advises anyone thinking of taking up the sport to take part in a course that runs for several days.

Most mistakes occur when the lead climber is securing their position. The second climber, who is already attached to a secured rope, is relatively safe, says Winter.

The most common mistake is failing to secure a rope properly. "Sometimes the brake rope is not tightly held," says Winter.

The second most common error is letting the rope become too slack. If the lead climber falls, they will fall a considerable way.

The third mistake is failing to properly secure the climber's harness to the rope.

Either the securing knot is incorrect or it's in the wrong position.

Another common mistake is that the lead climber is in the wrong position. "The lead climber then falls on to the next climber."

The next most common cause of mistakes is for the climber to become distracted or inattentive to what they are doing.

Not every mistake leads to an accident, but when it does, it can have serious consequences.

At the end of March, a girl fell inside an indoor climbing hall and died.

The best way to avoid making a mistake is to get proper training and learn the basics of rock climbing.

Germany's Alpine Association provides basic training for climbers as young as 10 who are tested in skills such as attaching ropes and descending.

Children from age 12 can go on to learn more advanced skills such as securing a rope. (dpa)