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Patrol

A NATIONAL SKI PATROL UPDATE, PART II:

OUTDOOR EMERGENCY CARE

TECHNICIANS & MOUNTAIN HOSTS

BY DAVID H. JOHE, MD, NATIONAL MEDICAL ADVISOR, NATIONAL SKI PATROL

THE SKI PATROLLER IS one of the most essential, enduring, during the off season for extraordinary events, like off-road
and recognizable figures at a ski area—a powerful reminder bicycle races, mud run courses, and concerts. More resorts
of the need for safe skiing and snowboarding behavior and are moving to off-season activities, like zip-lines, tree top
known for being trained to handle emergency incidents or ropes courses, and gravity coaster rides. The NSP considers
illnesses that may occur. In that endeavor, the National Ski it important to develop a national credential that is good at
Patrol (NSP) continually evaluates and fine-tunes its training any resort, during any season.
programs to provide the best possible education product to Another important part of the development of OEC is
its primary stakeholders: resorts and their guests. the inclusion of information concerning the considerable
Part one of this article (fall 2017) focused on the history number of possible illnesses or injuries a patroller could face.
of the NSP’s development of medical education, showing why As a sled-pulling patroller myself, I can tell you patrollers
and where we have come since the organization was founded see it all, from appendicitis to heart attacks, and from child-
80 years ago. In part two, we continue the discussion about the birth and bug bites to severe trauma. On any day, on any
present medical education programs that NSP currently pro- shift, I could find a patron with just about any medical prob-
vides—Outdoor Emergency Care and Outdoor First Care— lem. Major injuries occur at both small and large ski areas.
both as initial and then as continuing education programs, Alcohol and drug-related incidents are seen, and behavioral
along with the future of programs. problems also arise. Patrollers are trained to deal with these
As stated in the first article, the NSP presently is devel- types of emergencies in a non-urban environment and spe-
oping the next Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course and cial issues that they would face where access to a higher level
textbook for patrollers. The NSP Medical Committee, the of care is not quickly available.
NSP Board of Directors, and the OEC program and text- The OEC course contains important educational mate-
book editors have utilized the feedback received from the rial that can be utilized in the non-urban environment.
NSAA and other associations during the last several years. For example, patrollers deal with hypothermia in snowy,
In addition, steps have been taken to allow easier access and wintry weather. In summer bike events, hyperthermia or
more streamlined training for the initial candidate to achieve heat exhaustion can occur. Altitude plays a significant
OEC certification. The NSP Board and the editors of the role at some areas and can affect the well-being of a sum-
OEC program are dedicated to continuing to work with all mer or winter sports enthusiast. Many areas have adaptive
partners and stakeholders in order to provide medical educa-
tion for patrollers and mountain hosts.
Patrollers are trained well, and their care of
PRESENT OUTDOOR EMERGENCY ski area patrons is respected. There have been
CARE PROGRAM many, many Purple and Blue NSP Merit Stars
One of the more difficult aspects of creating a National Ski awarded to deserving patrollers who have
Patrol medical education curriculum is making it compatible
been involved with saving someone’s life, both
for the needs of all resorts, large and small. Small ski areas
on and off the hill.
often close the doors after winter, while large multi-season
resorts never close. Some other areas only open on weekends

64 | NSAA JOURNAL | EARLY WINTER 2017