In case of emergency, opt for special climbing gear (3,5)
I believe the answer is:
ice picks
'climbing gear' is the definition.
'in case of emergency opt for special' is the wordplay.
'in case of emergency' becomes 'ice' (as in an ICE phone number).
'opt for' becomes 'pick'.
'special' becomes 's' (common abbreviation as in Special Air Service).
'ice'+'pick'+'s'='ICE-PICKS'
(Other definitions for ice picks that I've seen before include "rock-cutting tools" , "mountaineers might need them" .)