It was inevitable. Canadian companies CTOMS and Kili-Climbing are collaborating. When Chris Kopp of CTOMS started developing the TRACE Systems (micro rope systems) unveiled last year, he realized it could be used in more and more diverse applications. Then, he and his business partner used it as an ultra-light weight system climbing in Uganda for glacier travel and rappelling. This past summer they did their first lead climbs on it. Along with CTOMS’ Tactical Assault Climbers Course (TAC-C) that they’ve been running for two years now, the natural evolution was to take the CTOMS rope access and complex terrain programs to the next level. Kili-Climbing has been that enabler.

CTOMS is now partnering with Kili-Climbing, which provides logistical planning and support in Africa to their Complex-terrain & High Altitude Seminars (CHAOS, as in their slogan, “Control the Chaos”), it enables them to provide experience based training at high altitude and in foreign countries. The diversity of location options provides a broad spectrum of terrain, latitude and altitude options, beyond what is available in the continental US. The client’s specific capability requirements/desires will determine the venue. Current venues include Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mt. Stanley and Speke in Uganda, Mt. Kenya in Kenya and Mt. Logan in Canada. While the African locations provide milder equatorial high altitude options with very diverse terrain and foreign travel experience, Mt. Logan in Canada provides a significantly lower traffic option than Mt. McKinley in Alaska, and provides a great Arctic, high latitude, high altitude, extreme cold weather training environment.

The difference between training with the CTOMS/Kili-Climbing team and hiring another African tour provider or civilian guide company is that the CTOMS/Kili-Climbing team understands and caters specifically to the military, and in particular SOF applications. They speak your language. These aren’t tourist vacations and they aren’t going to put their clients on busy, standard tourist routes, and most of all, they aren’t going to teach them civilian practices that contradict or conflict with tactical requirements. Instead, they cater the instruction, routes, objectives and activities specifically to the tactical training objectives. These are customized training programs built specifically to military SOF personnel and taught by instructors with military backgrounds and certified guides with experience instructing SOF.

For US units that require a contract with a US company, they work with The Peak out of Butte, Montana. CTOMS can also be contracted directly. For personal trips in Africa, contact Kili-Climbing directly.

www.ctoms.ca/high_altitude_operations
kili-climbing.com

www.CTOMS.ca

CTOMS presents their new GREEN Kit (Assault Lead Climbers Rack) as part of their TRACE Systems colored kits series. This is purpose built mountaineering equipment for military/para-military climbing operations, solving problems that aren’t an issue in sport climbing, like sound and visual signature as well as armor, weapon and radio integration. It is compatible with both traditional and CTOMS’ TRACE rope systems.

It can be worn alone or attached to an armor vest and incorporates PALS compatible climber’s dump pouches with rear mounted compression straps to help manage the load.

This thing is freakin’ amazing! Check out the full specs in this brochure.

CTOMS™ TRACE™ Systems GREEN Kit by CTOMS Inc.

www.CTOMS.ca

A couple of weeks ago we wrote about the TRACE Systems Green Kit from Canada’s CTOMS. We were impressed that someone had produced a great rack setup for military mountaineers but some readers complained about the tactical color of the gear.

On CTOMS’ Private Bloggins site, they addressed some of the issues raised on SSD in a post entitled, “What Color is Your Rack?” What we love about their piece is that they went out and demonstrated the reason they developed the green kit in the first place by sharing photos of climbers with commercial climbing gear. It’s definitely worth a read whether you are a military mountaineer or just interested in camouflage.

privatebloggins.ca/?p=720

CTOMS posted an interesting look at the Raptor buckle on their Private Bloggins site. Their intent was to decide whether to take a look at replacing the Austrialpin Cobra buckles used on their X-Belts and M-Harnesses with the Raptor. To do this, they pull tested two Raptor buckles to compare their measurements with the manufacturer’s. here’s one example.

CTOMS is very up front about how they obtained their samples, what they did with the buckles and the limitations of how they evaluated the buckles. I like that kind of honesty and the story is worth looking at if you want to see how buckles are pull tested and the whole “behind the scenes” on how and what they did. You’ll also find out if CTOMS decided to take a further look at these buckles.

privatebloggins.ca

Back in 2010 we first warned you about the Element CAT Tourniquets which were manufactured offshore as props for milsim players.

Now, our friends at CTOMS, a Canadian firm that specializes in tactical medicine training and product development has alerted us to a deployment of these fake tourniquets with the Ontario Provincial Police. I am flabbergasted that it has gone as far as it has and you have got to take a few minutes to go read this crazy story.

privatebloggins.ca/?p=852

We’ve known that the Element tourniquets were dangerous if used for real applications but the demonstration by CTOMS shows just how bad it is. Turn up your volume to hear the ultrasound.

These are NOT lifesaving devices and it is a shame that a company sold them to a law enforcement agency as though they were, and worse still that OPP continues to issue them to their officers in spite of being made aware of the issue. Please take the time to ensure that you are carrying a legitimate, life-saving tourniquet.

Combat Application Tourniquet (GEN III vs E-CAT)

The Divable Pack Liner by CTOMS is now available in green, and they’ve also lowered the weight. Designed as a waterproof Velcro in-liner, the medium size fits the CTOMS assault pack and the large size fits the 2nd Line Main Pack and External Module. The DPL is fully lined with loop Velcro to accommodate all standard internal components. The zipper is waterproof, and the DPL features an oral inflation hose at the top to adjust pressure. Although they’re not yet available on the website, they can be ordered by phone.

www.ctoms.ca/products/divable-pack-liner-dpl

Once again, CTOMS introduces a product designed specifically designed for military mountaineering applications.

The newest addition to their TRACE™ (Tactical Rope Access & Confined Extraction) Systems line is the Silver Kit, the Tactical Assault Climber’s Gear Loop Kit designed for use with the M-HARNESS but also compatible with any 1-3/4″ belt (riggers belt). Btw, we hear CTOMS has new M-HARNESS designs and accessories in the works

They’ve already demonstrated that commercially colored gear will highlight a climber on a wall. Like other CTOMS TRACE™ Systems, the new Silver Kit is offered in MultiCam.

Check out the full data sheet here.

SILVER Kit by CTOMS Inc.

www.CTOMS.ca

Canada’s CTOMS has introduced a new line of products specifically for Canines. In addition to what you see here, they will be introducing other products.

ctoms.ca/t/equipment/canineline

The EdgePro™ provides a light weight and compact solution for rope edge protection. Moldable to edge shapes with ToughTek backing helps keep the EdgePro™ in place. Grommets at the corners allow for daisy chaining together or securing to prevent it from falling. Padded buffers on the sides prevent the rope from slipping off. SuperFabric® swatch on the rope track provide an excellent friction free surface for the running rope while adding significant durability to prevent the rope from burning through.

ctoms.ca/products/edgepro

CTOMS has just announced their new Dual Pattern TRACE Systems rope. As the name would imply, the rope features two patterns, which allows the user to quickly find center rope in addition to being able to log use based on rope side/pattern. TRACE rope will be stocked in 30m, 46m, and 60m lengths. Available immediately for custom order, TRACE rope will be in stock starting early January.

I’m looking forward to catching up with CTOMS at this year’s SOMA.

www.ctoms.ca/home

The Trace Systems Rope Bag is often called the ‘Magic Rope Bag’ because it makes a rope disappear into the bag so quickly. There are many rope bags on the market with integrated skirts out there but they are all pretty big. This bag is made from MultiCam 70D nylon along with a solid colored skirt.

There is also a side pocket for a rope protection sleeve.

Although it is not yet on the site as a stand alone product, it can be specified as a component of the Trace lots or purchased alone.

www.CTOMS.ca

The Turtle’s Harness from CTOMS is a MOLLE plate carrier integrated chest harness system that creates a mid-chest attachment point for hoisting and high angle work. Fully compatible with the CTOMS M-Harness, the Turtle’s Harness raises the attachment point, significantly mitigating the potential of inverting, especially when wearing a heavy pack. It’s designed so that it integrates behind any pouches on the plate carrier, so as to not impede access or disrupt and/or crush contents such as radios and ammunition.

Available in Black and Coyote Brown.

ctoms.ca/products/turtles-harness

The CTOMS’ PARIS is a retrofit to the CTOMS 2ndLine Pack featuring the MQRB shoulder straps. It is compatible with most MOLLE armor/plate carriers and integrates with limited effect on mounted pouches and equipment. This eliminates the traditional shoulder strap configuration that can cause problems such as:

- Restriction of circulation to the arms
- Restriction of shoulder and arm range of motion
- Negative impact on shooting stance
- Negative impact on mobility, flexibility, and agility
- Negative impact on long term comfort

A while back, CTOMS, through their Private Bloggins site, posted an article featuring self testing of the Raptor buckle in order to determine if it was a suitable replacement for the AustriAplin Cobra buckles in use on their X-belts and M-harnesses.

Recently, they’ve written a follow up to that original round of testing. This time, instead of conducting their own comparative testing, they posted the results of a study conducted by independent testing company TÜV SÜD at the request of AustriAlpin. AustriAlpin supplied 5 Cobra and Raptor buckles of each size for evaluation; the Raptor buckles were sourced by 3rd parties from online suppliers of the buckles.

Through the testing results, it was determined that Raptor Buckles bend and brake consistently below the direct pull stamped rating. Those interested in viewing TÜV SÜD’s test results can view them by clicking the image below:

privatebloggins.ca/?p=977

The Temba Pack from CTOMS was designed for military assault climbers but is quite adaptable to a wide range of applications including use as a medical kit container. As you can see, the top loading basic pack has very clean lines with no snag hazards. A year in the making, Chris K has gone through seven iterations of the Temba to get here.

Constructed from a combination of MultiCam LiteLok with 4-way stretch Softshell side panels. The rear of the pack worn against the back is Drilux for comfort.

The top flap features a simple envelope style pocket with a removable daisy chain which can be accessed even with the zipper closed.

The top has a helmet retention fly feature, made from 4-way stretch.

The hooks for the removable helmet fly are inset on the lid in small garages.

It’s the little features that count. For instance, rather than using grommets, they’re using small burn holes for drainage.

The pack comes with three removable compression straps that can be used to really crank the load down within the pack.

The side pocket panel loading zippers along both sides incorporate backup split at SR Buckles. These side pockets also have hydration bladder hangers as well as a port hose.

The Temba pack gains its internal structure from strategically placed sheets of HDPE and foam along each side, at the rear and along the bottom. The foam panels in the side pockets can be used as a moldable splint. Additionally, if you pull the foam panels from the pack, they can be inserted into a sleeve that can be used as a rudimentary casualty insulator, or a sleeping pad. Since this sleeve is also a pocket, you can stuff leaves or pinestraw into it for additional insulation.

There are handles on all four edges of the back of the pack which also features the suspension. The pads are removable and can be replaced with a developmental pad sets that better accommodates the wearing of rear armor plates. There are also cable routing ports.

The bottom of the pack has a flat pocket that fits a new Sil Tarp for shelter building or other expedient uses.

One thing I love about the Temba is that you can remove the waist belt. It is padded and clips on, attaching at three separate points and can be released from any one of those points if you find yourself fouled in some way and need to jettison the pack. Additionally, the pack is configured to allow you to use a trouser or warbelt for the pack when used with Surface Mounted SR Buckles.

The shoulder straps, while simple to use, incorporate a lot of thought. To begin with, the removable sternum strap has a small, removable admin pouch with Velcro front.

The shoulder straps can be worn alone and are also compatible with CTOMS’ Pack to Armor Rapid Integration System which allows you to connect this pack directly to your armor carrier with quick donning and doffing capability. This really frees up the motion in your shoulders.

The entire inside of the Temba is Velcro compatible and will accept the pockets from CTOMS line of second line packs. Items such as the TRaCE kit will mount for easy access right to the top row of PALs webbing.

The Temba opens completely for full access to the contents. It opens so much that you can place a casualty into the bag and use it as a littler to extract a casualty by using the handles found inside both side pockets.

There are currently three piggyback panels available. The first is the Alpine panel which accepts a shovel, probe, crampons and two ice axes.

Next, is a PALS panel.

Finally, there’s an accessory pocket piggyback panel.

There’s also a pack cover in MultiCam Alpine pattern coming.

Update: here’s the cover.

Although CTOMS is a Canadian company, the Temba is Made in USA.

Learn more at www.ctoms.ca.

The new Piccolo pulley from CTOMS is super lightweight. It’s not just lightweight, it is 94% efficient at 42 grams with 27 kn of strength. It’s designed for TRACE systems (9mm or smaller rope) and can accept up to three carabiners!

www.ctoms.ca

During last week’s SOMSA, Canadian-rescue firm CTOMS ran us through several of their products including their new Individual First Aid Kit, the SlimmerLine. Named after the SlimLine, the new SlimmerLine is a scaled down version of its predecessor.

First off, the SlimLine is still available and will eventually adopt the new release feature developed for the SlimmerLine.

The HDPE tongue has been moved to the top of the pouch with the pouch’s beaded pull now stowed at the bottom back of the panel to protect it from accidental snag.

This configuration makes it easy to completely release the pouch from the panel in one gross motor movement. There’s no fine motor movement required (like squeezing a buckle).

The pouch itself opens by pulling on the two tabs at the top that are secured with a snap. That snap acts as a rapid secondary closure if in a hurry or the zipper should fail. Inside, contents are secured with elastic straps.

www.ctoms.ca

CTOMS had a lot to show me during last month’s SOMSA conference. In addition to the Temba Pack, Pulley, and SlimmerLine IFAK they also showed us their line of Belt and Harness Systems.

-The desire was to build a lighter and more versatile belt and harness system than the current large buckle and large webbing.
-They started with AustriAlpin designing a 1” buckle where the release tabs were flush with the frame for added safety. CTOMS also switched to their new ‘Pro’ design which claims a redesign with a lower likelihood of inadvertently only securing one side.

-CTOMS belts start with what they call the Chassis.
-This is an adjustable one-size-fits-most carrier for two belt options.
-The chassis fits into most trouser belt loops.
-Hypalon belt loops retain the inner belt.

-This is a similar design to their old M-Harness belt with a non-adjustable quick release in the center and a ladder lock adjuster slightly offset. This allows conversion into their patented M2-Harness system.

-This is simply 1” tubular nylon with end user’s choice of dual adjust ITW SR buckle, or a dual adjust Cobra Buckle. Also available is their dual adjust, but not quick release, Belay Loop Assembly.
-The Belay Loop Assembly can be worn just like a non-quick release riggers belt, but instead of a metal V-ring, it has a soft bely loop clip in point. That belay loop can be slowed in its belay loop keeper to prevent inadvertent snags.

-2nd generation Turtle Harness
-More comfortable and less likely to stress the stitching on the plate carrier.
-Similar configuration to the M2 System for ease of donning and doffing.
-Integrates into any PALS based plate carrier without interfering or crushing contents of pouches – goes under pouches but over armor.
-Connects to the M2 or G2 Harnesses via the Leg Loops.
-Rapidly adjusts for comfort depending on if the user is walking, in the aircraft or about to go on the hoist.
-Full Class 3 with new over the shoulder straps.

ctoms.ca/Mission-Essential-Equipment/Belts-Harnesses-and-Accessories

For those of you not in the know, Private Bloggins is the blog side of CTOMS, offering stories and recommendations regarding their products, along with plenty of other great stuff.

They recently put up a post regarding the use of sanitary pads, diapers, and tampons, and why they don’t make for the best dressings when used for hemorrhages.

privatebloggins.ca