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High Angle Solutions – Atlas Devices – ATL (Atlas Tactical Ladder) – RACC System

Wednesday, January 13th, 2016

The ATL-RACC utilizes the Aluminum Tactical Ladder (ATL) designed by Atlas, displayed in our previous post as the core backbone of the RACC system. The RACC Kit is a soft goods attachable patient packaging, bridle, and stow cover kit that can be attached to the ATL rails during all assault ladder use cases without impacting ladder functions. The unique style covers enable the straps to be deployed in appropriate phases for securing patients to the ladder and rigging the bridle system for vertical or horizontal orientations without any tying of knots. The core ATL provides a more rigid platform to protect patients during difficult edge transitions. The RACC can also convert the ATL into a bipod / high point for litter work and edge rappels.

The ATL-RACC is capable of meeting the following mission profiles:

Litter/Hoisting/Drag

High Angle Rescue

Confined Space

Structural Collapse

Disaster Response

Glacier

Why ATL-RACC?

Immediate access to hoist capability with extremely minimal configuration setup time and steps

Low volumetric/weight impact for carriage to already existing primary task equipment (i.e. a ladder)

Combine adverse terrain litter capabilities (Hoist-able Litter, Edge transitions, Confined Space access) into one lightweight attachable system for total team weight reduction

Reduce time of safe TACEVAC transport in TCCC

Reduce operators required to execute TACEVAC capability freeing them for for other critical tasks

Atlas Tactical Ladder System Introduction-Rescue Operations from Atlas Devices on Vimeo.

Get the full Atlas Catalog here: atlasdevices.com/pdf/Atlas_Devices-2015_Catalog.pdf

For more info visit www.atlasdevices.com or email sales@atlasdevices.com.

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.

Tags: Assault Ladder, ATL, ATL-RACC, Atlas Devices, Bridge, High Angle Solutions, Hoist, Hoistable Litter, RACC
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OR – Petzl

Friday, January 8th, 2016

Petzl has introduced the TOUR, an ultralightweight new climbing harness. It weighs 200 grams, even with an integrated belay loop, and can be dined without lifting your feet off the ground. The coloring helps out as well. The dark color goes to the outside and lighter tone toward the inside.

If that isn’t light enough, the new ALTITUDE is 150 grams lighter. This weight savings is due to the fused frame technology consisting of leg loops and waist that incorporate infused Dyneema. This thing is amazing.

Petzl has unveiled their first aluminum crampon, the LEOPARD (front) and man, is it light at 330 grams. It is available with Flexlock or Leverlock FIL attachment which weighs 369 grams. The IRVIS (rear) is a hybrid design with a steel toe for durability. It weighs 460 or 495 grams depending in the attachment system.

Additionally, all of Petzl’s carabiners now feature an I-frame construction which is lighter.

They also offer QR codes for PPE inspection.

The TIBLOCK now has an integrated plastic spring head which forces the teeth to properly set on the rope. The old version could sheath the rope if improperly seated.

www.petzl.com

Tags: Petzl
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High Angle Solutions – DMM – The Captain

Wednesday, January 6th, 2016

The Captain is a self-locating, high strength hook that has been designed and tested with the DMM trademark attention to detail. The pivoting D-shackle removes torsional friction and interacts beautifully with the carefully sculpted hook form to ensure reliable location on any anchor, specifically for connecting to remote anchors to facilitate controlled sideways movement (traversing). Once in place, the quality engineering ensures a rated strength of 18kN (dependent on the anchor quality).

The Captain can be rigged directly onto slings or sewn terminations (as shown in the image) by utilizing the hot forged connecting shackles, alternatively the shackle can be clipped directly with a carabiner. The sewn termination option creates very clean lines for snag free operations and is quieter than using a carabiner or maillon.

In testing the Captain Hook has proved itself a useful tool for balcony transitions or climbing fences and railings in an urban environment, ship boarding and moving between decks on ships as well as its original purpose of being used as an anchor or climbing aid in trees.

dmmwales.com

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.

Tags: DMM, High Angle Solutions
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High Angle Solutions – CTOMS – Tac Climbing Gear – Sling Set

Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

The Tac Climbing Gear – Sling Set is designed as a solution to the rainbow climbing rack. Because color is a problem (see here), where CTOMS’ GREEN Kit includes subdued color anodized rock protection, carabiners and sling, it’s not always realistic to replace good expensive equipment prior to the end of its life cycle. A great interim solution is to use your rainbow cams, chocks and slings with the Tactical Climbing Gear – Sling Set.

This gear sling reduces color and noise signature with the multiple Climber’s Dump Pouches. The sling and padding component both incorporate PALS so that radios, chock tool holsters, even pistol holsters can be secured to the Gear Sling itself for light climbing configurations. If going heavier, the system can connect directly to an armored plate carrier PALS.

ctoms.ca

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.

Tags: CTOMS, High Angle Solutions
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Lundhags – Husky Ski

Tuesday, December 29th, 2015

I remember first seeing Lundhags Ski March boots in the 80s-era Survival Aids catalogs from the UK. Lessons from the Falkland campaign were still fresh in their minds and keeping feet dry in cold-wet conditions was a particular onsession considering the unsuitability of issue footwear.

Lundhags still offers the same style of boot, slightly updated over the years. There are versions for 75mm bindings as well as for 87-91mm. In either case, they feature a Goodwell Ski Sole, Rubber Lowers incorporating EVA construction and TPU Plastic Toe Cap as well as Laced Leather Uppers with removable 5mm Wool Felt Linings. The last is designed so as to accommodate an additional layer of socks.

For those of you who are looking for similar construction without the touring ski compatibility, check out Lundhags’ Professional series.

www.lundhags.se/product-2/16318/husky_ski

Tags: Lundhags
Posted in Boots, Mobility, Mountaineering | 9 Comments »

High Angle Solutions – Atlas Devices – ATL (Atlas Tactical Ladder) System

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015

Today, we’re introducing a new company to the High Angle Solutions rotation, Atlas Devices, LLC. Atlas Devices is a world leader in tactical access for SOF. Look forward to future High Angle Solutions posts from Atlas, in addition to CTOMS and DMM.

ATL System Introduction

The Atlas Tactical Ladder system designed by Atlas Devices is an extremely versatile tool for SOF teams to increase their current tactical access capabilities while generating new ones never before possessed. The ATL System can be used for collapsible bridging, extended reach, weight reduction, ladder/bridge range increase, and more, in scenarios and locals including:

Urban Tactical Assault

Maritime Boarding

Rural Desert

Glacier

Fixed and Rotary Wing AIROPS

The core of the Atlas Tactical Ladder system is a rigid 7 ft collapsible ladder (P/N: ATL) weighing under 10 lbs. In addition to vertical climbing, the ATL can also safely bridge gaps with a 400 lb load. Its joint locking system can be set to auto-locking mode for rapid deployment or manual lock whisper mode for silent deployments. The collapsed profile can be packed within a torso dimension for ease of employment by all infiltration methods including MFF and AIE operations.

The ATL has a suite of accessories that enhance the capability of the ATL by utilizing unique design features that integrate into the ATL core ladder/bridge system. All accessories are tool-less for rapid don/doff. Atlas Devices is currently finalizing safe working load ratings for a 15 ft bridge configuration of the ATL. Additional mission profiles and ATL capabilities that we’ll be highlighting in upcoming High Angle Solutions features include:

Litter / Hoisting / Drag

Confined Space

Structural Collapse

Disaster Response

VBSS / Pool Hooking

Rescue and TACEVAC

Stay tuned for more information.

Atlas Tactical Ladder Introduction from Atlas Devices on Vimeo.

Get the full Atlas Catalog here: atlasdevices.com/pdf/Atlas_Devices-2015_Catalog.pdf

For more info visit www.atlasdevices.com or email sales@atlasdevices.com.

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.

Tags: Assault Ladder, ATL, Atlas Devices, Bridge, High Angle Solutions
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High Angle Solutions – DMM – DMM Carabiners

Wednesday, December 16th, 2015

DMM carabiners are available with a variety of different gate options for varying levels of security versus ease of opening. Below are all the options available to our users, beginning with simple screwgate all the way up to our Durolock gate mechanism, perfect for complex rigging scenarios where you require greatest peace of mind from accidental gate opening.

www.dmmwales.com

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM and CTOMS.

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High Angle Solutions – CTOMS – Prodigy Pulley

Wednesday, December 9th, 2015

We first told you about the Prodigy Pulley at last year’s SOMA Conference. Back then CTOMS only had prototypes and called it by its development name, the Piccolo. The name was changed to reflect its impressive capabilities for such an unassuming, tiny device. Note the size comparison to a quarter in the picture, then consider the robust performance in the specs. This little guy is a game changer for micro-hauling systems, and while it is the standard pulley in CTOMS TRACE Systems kits, it will work with any rope up to 9mm. Ideal for crevasse rescue systems and ski guides.

The Prodigy was designed to accommodate three DMM Phantom Screw Gate carabiners in the eye, thus allowing it to be used as a carriage on a guiding line or high line using TRACE Systems. It uses a sealed bearing as opposed to a bushing that is typical in pulleys of similar size. What that does is create an efficiency of about 95% compared to about 75% in similar sized pulleys. Weighing in at only 1.5 oz. (43g) it has a strength rating of 24kN, or 5395 lbs of Force.

During the pull testing to determine its strength rating, the failure points were the small ball bearings pushing through the sheave and cutting the rope at high forces (all above 27kN or 6070 lbs. or Force – the 24kN is a 3 Sigma rating). It was theorized that with lighter loads, it may decrease the pulley’s efficiency due to the small bearings indenting the inside of the sheave. So it was tested to determine strength deterioration after loads were applied. A peak load of 8.7kN was applied to the pulley and efficiency tested without any efficiency loss at all.

Detailed performance specs include:

Strength: 24 kN Rating, 18 kN Tangential Rating (side pull on the eye);

95% Efficiency: (tested with 6 mm TRACE Systems rope and a 100 kg load);

No efficiency reduction after loading of 8.7 kN;

~9 mm rope (If you’re using it with other than TRACE Systems);

Triple carabiner eye accepts up to 3 carabiners (DMM Phantom Screw Gate) for use on a high-line, etc;

Lightweight: 43 grams.

ctoms.ca

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM and CTOMS.

Tags: CTOMS
Posted in Mountaineering | Comments Off on High Angle Solutions – CTOMS – Prodigy Pulley