1. safety is number one and whilst a fellow climber recently commented how easier it is to untie a bowline, I'd rather struggle untying a figure 8 alive and on the ground. I have also made conscious effort climbing last night to tie a double (not just a single) stopper knot as taught in my beginner's instruction class last Oct. 2. I always double check the belay device and the knot correctly tied to harness as chatting with mates, you end up missing something. this happen once where I just tied through just one loop on my harness because of chatting. Thus I always recite "okay you are doubled through" for knots/harness check and then check belay and say "on belay". This article reminded me the high risk of this sport.