Accidents in the mountains, CAI warning:no chains or crampons on steep snowy terrain

After accidents, even fatal ones, the appeal goes out:follow the rules of use scrupulously, for safety and to reduce rescue needs

MILAN - The National Mountain Accidents Observatory, promoted by the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), launches a new invitation to safety pausing this time, sthe correct use of "chains" or "crampons". The recommendation is "now more necessary than ever, following the observation that, in some accidents, including fatal ones, have occurred in recent weeks, with hikers slipping despite using this type of equipment“, highlights the CAI.Well, the National Observatory for Mountain Accidents recommends, "anyone who uses 'chains' or 'crampons' to scrupulously comply with the limitations of use indicated by the manufacturer of the device, paying attention even in apparently simple crossings of snowfields and accumulations of snow", says coordinator Alberto Pirovano.“This recommendation is expressed in the interest of the personal safety of practitioners and to alleviate the strain on emergency rescue workers,” he adds..

HERE ARE THE RULES TO FOLLOW:SAFETY ALSO TO REDUCE THE NEED FOR ASSISTANCE

And therefore:first of all, we read in the recommendations, it is important to reiterate that crampons must be used with limitations regarding steep terrain and therefore only on slopes with inclinations lower than those indicated in the manufacturer's instruction manual (generally less than 20 degrees, or less than 35% slope), and in any case not beyond modest inclinations (less than 22-27 degrees, i.e. less than 40%-50% slope), all obviously in proportion to individual ability.
At the same time, it is necessary use crampons only on slopes where it is possible to stop in the event of a slip, depending on the conformation of the terrain.All these limitations must be taken into consideration, precisely because crampons are characterized by a series of specificities:minimal toe protrusion, moderate torsional adhesion and low adaptability to shoe size.

THE NATIONAL MOUNTAIN ACCIDENTS OBSERVATORY

The National Mountain Accidents Observatory is an initiative promoted and financed by the Italian Alpine Club, with the support of funds from the Ministry of Tourism.The Observatory collects and analyzes data on mountain accidents, highlighting recurring correlations and causal links.Made up of a multidisciplinary group of experts called upon to study the characteristics of accidents to provide prevention indications and recommendations, as well as to support the investigation activity of the relevant bodies, it operates in collaboration with various bodies, police forces, university institutes and associations .The Observatory is therefore a highly technical and scientific structure that has the strategic objective of reducing accidents by providing scientifically validated elements of knowledge to decision makers and educators.