Ortovox presents Digital Safety Academy Lab Ice Training Platform

It is one of the most demanding but also one of the most fascinating mountain sports: The prospect of touring in the stunning landscapes of the three and four-thousanders can be highly attractive. But its mixed terrain is also highly demanding. You need fitness and strength on high alpine tours. But more importantly, you need knowledge and practice regarding the terrain, your equipment, and protection and rescue techniques. In close cooperation with the Verband Deutscher Berg- und Skiführer (VDBS – German mountain and ski guide association), its numerous professional mountain guides and athletes, Ortovox is presenting the “Safety Academy Lab Ice” – an interactive, multimedia training platform developed as part of the Safety Academy. All safety aspects for high alpine touring are clearly and accurately conveyed in 18 video tutorials and three chapters of comprehensive educational modules: High Alpine Touring Equipment and Knot Techniques A high alpine tour on mixed terrain including firn, ice and rock requires more preparation, planning and knowledge than a normal alpine tour would. The first Lab Ice chapter provides clear, informative introductions and training modules on equipment and basic knot techniques. It also includes touring tips for beginners and experienced tourers. Rope Team & Walking Technique Basics The second chapter contains essential high alpine touring knowledge: How to form a rope team, how to use equipment and how to master protection and walking techniques. How do you tie in to a rope team and what distances should be kept? How do you move safely across firn and ice? Protection and Rescue Methods As a high-alpine tourer, you must be able to set up a solid anchor according to the terrain and situation – this is particularly challenging on firn and ice. Chapter three explains how and when t-slot anchors, sitting hip belays, ice screws and V-thread anchors are to be used. Another key topic is crevasse rescue techniques: Self-rescue, pulley, and team pull.   https://youtu.be/Fw4iZJH_2AM The Experts The names behind the Safety Academy Lab Ice are, in particular, safety experts Chris Semmel and Walter Würtl: Chris Semmel is a state-certified mountain and ski guide as well as an expert on mountain, climbing and avalanche accidents. He has led the DAV (German Alpine Club) safety research team for ten years, is a member of the DAV mountaineering and sport climbing training team and is also a VDBS trainer. Walter Würtl is also a state-certified mountain and ski guide as well as an expert on alpine and avalanche accidents. As an alpine scientist, he is also the editor of “bergundsteigen” magazine. The Background Since the company was founded in 1980, ORTOVOX has dedicated itself to protection. Here, protection not only refers to innovative emergency products, but also to in-depth knowledge to ensure safety in the mountains. Together with professional mountain guides and experts, ORTOVOX conveys this knowledge through its Safety Academy: What first began as an initiative purely for avalanche courses, is now targeted towards comprehensive alpine safety training – in summer and winter, digitally and on paper.