a belay device includes a body having a channel configured to receive a rope and a notched bottom . the channel includes a groove swept along an arced path in an upper portion of the channel opposite the notched bottom . the groove is configured to restrain movement of the rope when the rope is placed into contact with sides of the groove . the notched bottom includes a notch . the belay device is configured so that the notch in the notched bottom receives a portion of a carabiner in order to pinch the rope between the notched bottom and the carabiner in response to tension on the rope . the notch could extend upward from a bottom of the belay device towards an end of the groove located along a side of the belay device .