Great topic
@redsquirrel
To me, the most important safety advice has nothing to do with gear at all. SLOW DOWN. Be deliberate in your movements. Remember it's not a race. Take your time and double check everything before you climb. Spending an extra 60 seconds on the ground going through your PCCs - Pre-Combat Checks if you're in the Army, Pre-Climb Checks if you're a saddle hunter - and your PCIs - Pre-Combat Inspections if you're in the Army, Pre-Climb Inspections if you're a saddle hunter. Taking 10 minutes to climb slowly and deliberately instead of 7 minutes in a rush will make a world of difference.
I'm one of the guys that likes to push the envelope of lightweight and low bulk. However, everything I do is tested extensively at ground level. I only leave terra firma once I'm confident. When I was learning to climb with spurs, I practiced at 2-5 feet for several weeks before I climbed higher.