{"id":39914,"date":"2023-02-21T10:31:21","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T09:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-01.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/the-ohm-from-edelrid\/"},"modified":"2023-02-21T10:43:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T09:43:53","slug":"the-ohm-from-edelrid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/the-ohm-from-edelrid\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ohm from Edelrid – A difference maker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Good news for heavier climbers and lighter belayers: thanks to Edelrid\u2019s spectacular device – the OHM<\/strong> – you can go climbing together<\/strong>! But before you do, we thought we\u2019d put the OHM to the test and let you know what it can and can’t do, who it\u2019s suitable for and most importantly what we think! In order to understand what the OHM does, we\u2019ll have to take a little detour into the world of theory, climbing theory<\/strong> that is. More specifically, we\u2019re going to talk about weight and the difference in weight between you and your climbing partner. If the weight difference between you and your partner is too high, not only will lighter belayers have a hard time controlling a fall, but both climbers could be put in extremely dangerous situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight differences in climbing<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Test<\/a>
The Ohm in action<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever read up on the role of weight in climbing or experienced it yourself, you\u2019ll know how quickly forces can develop in the event of a fall. To find out just how high these are, you can use our calculator for impact force<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The significance of weight led the DAV (German Alpine Club) to release a recommendation for weight differences<\/strong>, specifying which are justifiable and which are not. A study on safety in climbing centres from 2012 has demonstrated that climbers were too heavy for their belayers in 8.5% of the examined cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can calculate the weight differential rather easily:
Weight of climber \/ weight of belayer = Differential X<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is an example: there is a weight differential of 1.36 between a climber who weighs 75kg and a belayer who weighs 55kg. This would far exceed the standard put forward by the DAV (German Alpine Club).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Differential<\/td>0.7 – 0.8<\/td>0.9 – 1.1<\/td>1.2 – 1.3<\/td>>1.2 – 1.5<\/td><\/tr>
Belay device<\/a><\/td>Tube-style<\/td>Tube-style or assisted braking<\/td>Assisted braking<\/td>Assisted braking and sand bags<\/td><\/tr>
Recommendation<\/td>Extremely soft belay<\/td>Ideal weight ratio, soft belay<\/td>Experienced climbers only<\/td>Experts only, if at all<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As you can see from the example above, there is very little wiggle room when it comes to tolerable weight differentials. There is even less flexibility when it comes to men and women, as the weight difference is often much higher than recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Edelrid OHM works<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Test<\/a>
The Ohm opened<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The OHM basically replaces the first draw and is clipped into the first bolt instead. In the event of a fall, the OHM is pulled upward. This leads to the device changing its orientation relative to the rope, resulting in increased friction<\/strong>. The increased friction generates resistance, which progressively slows (but doesn\u2019t abruptly stop) the rope. This results in less force being transferred to the belayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The benefits of the OHM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As was mentioned above, the increased amount of friction reduces the amount of force<\/strong> transferred to the belayer in the event of a fall. This will prevent the belayer being pulled forward so violently toward the wall or the first draw. If you\u2019re using a tube-style device, you\u2019ll need less grip strength to hold a fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climbers who tend to climb with significantly lighter partners often have to climb extra carefully in order to prevent uncontrolled falls. This is rendered completely unnecessary by the power of the Ohm! Since the weight difference is \u201cevened out\u201d or \u201creduced\u201d by the device, lighter belayers are capable of securing uncontrolled falls as well. That way, the climber won\u2019t have to hold back!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the OHM can\u2019t do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Very important: the OHM is not a belay device and it changes nothing about the DAV\u2019s current standard. If you use the OHM, you also continue to use 1. your belay device<\/strong> of choice and 2. your head<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is particularly important when it comes to age differences between climbers. The OHM reduces significant differences in weight but doesn\u2019t add experience. If you use this device, you still have to belay as always (training) and assume the responsibility for the climber (age). It\u2019s not there for parents to use to go climbing with their underage kids!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The OHM put to the test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We tested the OHM in different conditions<\/strong>: lead climbing indoors and outdoors, top-roping and in a climbing course for kids (supervised belaying).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More comfort and safety for the belayer<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Test<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Yep, the OHM makes belaying heavier people not only significantly safer but more comfortable<\/strong> as well. During various scenarios (with various fall heights and weight differences), the OHM has proven to reduce the amount of force on the belayer. Plus, the rope runs more evenly as well, making belaying much more pleasant. Using a sand bag for extra weight was no longer necessary. Lowering is much easier with the OHM as well. It actually feels more like a rope running diagonally with increased friction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast to sand bags, the OHM allows the belayer to move more freely along the wall, which in turn allows the belayer to adjust his or her position according to the direction of the climber. This will also help you to prevent a fall on the belay rope when climbing near the ground. A big bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More freedom for the climber<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The climbers who tested the OHM all agree that the OHM adds safety<\/strong> and definitely takes some unnecessary stress off climbers as a result, since they can dedicate all their attention to climbing and not have to worry about falling (as much). This allows climbers to push their limits and take on more difficult routes closer to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The OHM and top-roping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since not all climbing parties top rope, we decided to test the OHM whilst top roping as well. As expected, the assisted-braking resistor performed flawlessly<\/strong>. The only downside<\/strong>: because it is installed in the first draw, the belayer cannot change positions as freely as he or she normally could whilst top-rope belaying. This leads to the climber having a rope between him or her and the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The OHM at the crag<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

…works just as well as at the climbing centre. Since ropes often don\u2019t run as straight along a rock face as they do indoors, you need to keep in mind that there could be more rope drag as a result. So, the OHM might not be necessary<\/strong> for all routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handling<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Test<\/a>
Weight check just for you: 481 grams.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Flawless<\/strong>! Yes, the weight does seem a little much in the beginning, but since you only have to carry to the first draw, it\u2019s not that big of an issue. Besides, the weight is necessary so that the OHM doesn\u2019t fall when the rope is slackened and you lose resistance as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even when taking slack out the rope, you\u2019ll hardly notice the OHM. But, after taking a break on the wall, you should make sure that the rope is completely disengaged and the OHM is underneath the draw. Otherwise, it could get rough. Users of the Grigri2 will be familiar with this. Also, don\u2019t forget to unclip the OHM, otherwise it\u2019ll stay hanging on the first draw. And, take the brake rope out first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dynamic belaying…<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

is possible<\/strong>, but this also depends on the weight of the climber, as far we\u2019re concerned. The lighter the climber (less than 80kg), the more the belayer has to actively belay in order to make a somewhat dynamic fall possible. If you fancy soft belays, you may have to lower your expectations or use a tube-style device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The OHM and kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kids of the same age can vary in weight, so we thought it would be a good idea to try to use the OHM in a climbing course for top-roping (supervised, with a back-up belayer). With kids, you\u2019ll find that the weight differential goes up to as much as 1.3. Unfortunately, the OHM couldn\u2019t help here<\/strong>. Since children rarely weigh more than 65kg, dynamic falls are hardly possible. So, due to the conditions described above, using the OHM is basically out of the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test results<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In sum, the Ohm is an incredibly innovative idea that tackles a common issue<\/strong> in climbing. It\u2019s surprising that it took so long for somebody to come up with a device with the aim of solving the problem associated with the weight differences between climbers and belayers. After all, there are so many climbing parties that can either climb in completely empty climbing centres only or climbing exclusively indoors. Who would want to take a sand bag to the crag anyway? Don\u2019t even get me started on alpine climbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does the OHM make sense?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In our opinion: yes! Of course, you\u2019re going to have to make some sacrifices (dynamic belaying, weight, top-roping), but when you consider the fact that you\u2019ll be able to climb with people you could\u2019ve never dreamed of climbing with before, the number of downsides pale in comparison to the huge benefits the OHM provides: convenience and safety. All in all, a spectacular innovation that should\u2019ve been here a long time ago!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When is the Ohm being released?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, it\u2019s already out! Head over to our shop and check it out! If you just can\u2019t get enough of Edelrid, check out the new collection!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n