[1][2] Most glissading is done in a seated position (and ideally with a water-proof durable surface on which to sit and slide),[3] with the legs bent to absorb shocks and bumps, and an ice axe held diagonally across the body to be in a position to perform a self-arrest if the glissade starts to get out of control.
[1] Some climbers can glissade in a standing-up position (also called 'boot-skiing'),[2] which has a greater risk and is unfeasible for longer slides.
[1] As glissading is typically done on the descent of a climb when climbers are tired, it can lead to serious injuries.
[4] Glissading with crampons is particularly dangerous and can lead to broken ankles, but tired climbers sometimes forget to take them off.
[6] Glissading near crevasses (e.g. a glacier or a bergshrund) is also very dangerous, and even more so when attempted as a rope team.