PZS Recommendations After the Revocation of the Epidemic

With the abolition of the epidemic and the newly adopted relaxing anti-corona measures, restrictions on the implementation of mountaineering activities are being relaxed. As of May 18, 2020, mountain huts can open their doors for indoor service, and overnight stays are also possible. Climbing centers are also opening their doors for individual recreation. As of May 23, 2020, restrictions in the area of sports programs are also being relaxed, so sports activities can be carried out again in sports facilities and on surfaces for sports in nature (including in sports facilities that are part of educational institutions). Training is allowed for registered athletes, as well as recreational sports education for children and youth, extracurricular sports activities, sports for the disabled, sports recreation, and sports for the elderly. Of course, all forms of mountaineering activities, training and practice of sport climbing, as well as courses and trainings fall under all of the above …



We have prepared updated recommendations of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for walking on mountain paths, secured climbing paths, ski touring, alpine skiing, alpinism, sport climbing in crags and sports halls, other activities in the mountain world, and when visiting mountain huts after the revocation of the coronavirus epidemic.







The goal of the PZS recommendations is to reduce the risk of infections.







It is still necessary to follow the NIJZ instructions when carrying out sports activities - https://www.nijz.si/sl/sproscanje-ukrepov-covid-19







BASIC RECOMMENDATIONS for all activities in mountaineering:







Personal health

Participate in activities only if completely healthy. Be responsible and stay home in case of coughing, sneezing, runny nose, general malaise … and thus prevent potential spread of infection.







Safety distance 1.5 m

Observe the safety distance of 1.5 m. In exceptional cases where this cannot be ensured, use a protective mask for nose and mouth.







In the backpack, disinfectant and mask for nose and mouth

In addition to basic mountaineering equipment and equipment necessary for safer execution of a specific mountaineering activity, have a small bottle of hand sanitizer and a protective mask for nose and mouth in your backpack, or even a scarf.







Use of equipment

Use your own equipment. Disinfect shared equipment before use.







Cleaning climbing equipment with chemical agents is discouraged, as they can damage plastic and textile parts, degrade fibers, and change the composition of compounds in the material. This changes the properties of the equipment and it can fail in key moments.







The company PETZL, which in addition to producing climbing equipment, tests all equipment in its laboratories and centers, advises:



72-hour quarantine of equipment or

manual cleaning of equipment with warm water at a maximum temperature of 65° and liquid soap with a pH range between 5.5 and 8.5.

Drying of equipment should be done as specified in the attached technical instructions.







This measure will reduce the risk of infection, but it is not 100%. For this reason, use exclusively your own equipment and do not borrow it.







Usual habits

Avoid shaking hands, hugging, drinking from someone else's bottle ...







Risk

Prepare well in advance for each activity and plan it. Engage in the activity only if you have appropriate knowledge and experience and appropriate equipment that you know how to use. Choose goals that you can handle and are not at the limit of your physical and mental abilities.







We recommend going to the mountains with a guide from the Alpine Association of Slovenia or a mountain guide. Check their qualifications and competencies in advance.







Follow the recommendations of the Alpine Association of Slovenia - Safer in the Mountains (www.varneje.pzs.si).







Group size

The group size is determined by the nature of the mountaineering activity. In larger groups, it is harder to maintain the recommended safety distance. Avoid excursions and places with many people.







Transport

We recommend your own transport. In case of activities nearby, also consider the possibility of cycling to the starting point. When using public transport or bus transport, follow the instructions prescribed by NIJZ for this area.







First aid and emergencies

Act in accordance with generally applicable guidelines and additionally use a protective mask for nose and mouth.







ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS for individual mountaineering activities:







Hiking, trekking, ski touring, and mountain running:

Follow the basic recommendations for activities in mountaineering and the recommendations of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for safer visiting of mountains (www.varneje.pzs.si).







Very demanding mountain paths or mountain paths equipped with technical aids:

Follow the basic recommendations for activities in mountaineering and the recommendations of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for safer visiting of mountains (www.varneje.pzs.si).

Use gloves without open fingers. Do not touch your face and disinfect your hands at the top.

Maintain safety distance. If possible, greater than the recommended distance between two anchor points.

When ascending and descending, overtake only where it is possible to ensure safety distance and no clipping is needed.





Ski touring cycling:

Follow the basic recommendations for activities in mountaineering and the recommendations of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for safer visiting of mountains (www.varneje.pzs.si).

Higher speed requires greater safety distance - 5 meters uphill, 20 meters during descents and on flat terrain.

Overtaking should be done quickly and only if it is possible to maintain 1.5 meters of lateral distance.





Secured climbing paths:

Follow the basic recommendations for activities in mountaineering and the recommendations of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for safer visiting of mountains (www.varneje.pzs.si).

If there are already many people at the entrance, avoid such an area.

Use gloves without open fingers. Do not touch your face and disinfect your hands at the top.

Maintain safety distance. If possible, greater than the recommended distance between two anchor points.

When ascending, overtake only where it is possible to ensure safety distance and no clipping is needed.

Leave the area as soon as possible after exiting.

DO NOT DESCEND ON THE SECURED CLIMBING PATH!





Alpine tours:

Follow the basic recommendations for activities in mountaineering and the recommendations of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for safer visiting of mountains (www.varneje.pzs.si).

At the belay station, there should be at most two people.

Double check from a distance: Climbing partners check each other's correctly placed and fastened climbing harness, tie-in to the harness (figure-eight knot), rope clipped into the belay device and screwgate carabiner locked, and whether there is a figure-eight knot at the end of the rope or it is tied to the partner's harness.

Disinfecting hands before and after the tour.





Sport climbing in natural crags and boulders outdoors

Follow the basic recommendations for activities in mountaineering.

Regular hand disinfection.

When clipping the rope into quickdraws, do not use your mouth. Do not touch your face with hands during climbing.

Use your own equipment: climbing shoes, ropes, carabiners, quickdraws, belay devices …

Double check from a distance: Climbing partners check each other's correctly placed and fastened climbing harness, tie-in to the harness (figure-eight knot), rope clipped into the belay device and screwgate carabiner locked, and whether there is a figure-eight knot at the end of the rope or it is tied to the partner's harness.

We recommend using liquid chalk based on alcohol (30%). It is not a substitute for disinfectant!





Climbing halls and gyms with climbing walls:

Follow the basic recommendations for activities in mountaineering.

Observe the safety distance of 2 m, which applies to indoor activities.

Before entering the hall, before starting and after finishing the activity, it is mandatory to wash or disinfect hands.

When clipping the rope into quickdraws, do not use your mouth. Do not touch your face with hands during climbing.

Use your own equipment: climbing shoes, ropes, carabiners, quickdraws, belay devices …

Double check from a distance: Climbing partners check each other's correctly placed and fastened climbing harness, tie-in to the harness (figure-eight knot), rope clipped into the belay device and screwgate carabiner locked, and whether there is a figure-eight knot at the end of the rope or it is tied to the partner's harness.

We recommend using liquid chalk based on alcohol (30%). It is not a substitute for disinfectant!

The hall must be regularly ventilated with drafts.

It is necessary to ensure disinfection of sensitive surfaces such as switches, handles, railings ...

General recommendations should be appropriately posted at the entrance and at several visible places in the facility.





Recommendations when visiting mountain huts:

1. Disinfect your hands upon arrival, after using the sanitary facilities, and after touching surfaces that visitors touch en masse.



2. Maintain sufficient interpersonal distance both when moving in the hut and when storing your own equipment.



3. Use a protective mask for nose and mouth or other forms of protection for the oral and nasal area (scarf, bandana or similar forms of protection) that cover the nose and mouth (upon entering the facility and moving in the facility). They are not needed at the table and in rooms.



4. Follow the instructions posted in the huts or the instructions of the hut staff.



5. Do not use children's playgrounds (where there are playgrounds at huts).



6. In case of a planned overnight stay in the hut, reserve the overnight stay at least three (3) days before arrival and use your own reusable sleeping sheet.







If an accident still occurs:



stay calm and keep your composure,

assess the situation and protect yourself and the injured person from immediate dangers,

provide first aid within the scope of your knowledge and abilities.

call the number 112 or in case of poor signal send a short message to the number 112 - report WHO you are, WHAT and WHERE happened, WHEN it happened and HOW MANY injured there are.





Follow the instructions of the operator and later the mountain rescuers. Be aware that help may arrive only after a few hours and for this reason, mandatory equipment in the backpack is all the more important for life!







In responsible behavior towards each other, do not forget about a responsible attitude towards nature and do not leave garbage on paths, at mountain huts or at starting points, but take them home and dispose of them in appropriate containers there.







Safe and responsible in mountaineering activities.







Alpine Association of Slovenia