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Double Black Diamond Express
Newsletter for the Western Region of the Central Division of the
National Ski Patrol, inc.
Spring 2015 Edition
Be Informed…Get Connected
Note from the Editor - Alane Lucht
What’s Inside
Ramblings from the RD…….2
Women’s Clinic……………..3
News from MTR…………….3
Awards Report…………..….4
Senior Program Advisor…....5
Senior OEC.…….……….….5
What’s New at the Ski School..6
Message from Ken………….7
Senior OTH………………...7
Instructor Development……..8
New Patrollers………………9
5 Life Saving Tools….…….10
Toboggan Instructor Info….11
Caring for Pre-Schoolers….12
This was one of the quickest snow-sports seasons I can remember.
Things started with a bang at the Division Ski/Board Trainers Workshop
(STW) here in the Western Region the first weekend in December. The
STW’s are held every year at three different locations in the Central
Division. They are a great opportunity for all on the hill (OTH) trainers to
up their skills. It’s a train the trainers sort of thing. All of the instructors that
I have ever dealt with at this level are passionate about their skills and have
a desire to pass on what they know. I am never disappointed.
Many people forget that the National Ski Patrol is an educational
organization. You can take classes to learn all sorts of things that are
directly and indirectly related to snow-sports. For example: you can take
Mountain Travel and Rescue. You will gain skills that can be transferred
directly to what you do as a Patroller in addition to things that could help
you survive during a backcountry ski/board trip. You can take Instructor
Development which helps you to understand how adults learn. This can be
used to then become an OEC (outdoor emergency care) or OTH (on the
hill) Instructor. Each of these specific programs have components that can
be taken during the Spring, Summer or Fall months. The courses keep you
involved and active all year long. You’ll meet Patrollers from other areas
which is always a good time.
When you become an instructor you up your game and can pass those skills
on to others. Getting involved helping others succeed is rewarding in
different ways to different people. For me it’s seeing the “ah-ha” moment.
What can you do to pass on your skills? If you love to ski or board or
handle a toboggan or help someone learn a better way to sling and swath I
encourage you to step up and pass it on!
I hope you had as much fun this last season as I did…I hope to see you at
one of the Region Meetings or On The Hill.
Double Black Diamond
Express
Edited by Alane Lucht
Spring 2015 Edition
Thank You to everyone that
contributed to making this a great
newsletter.
To contribute please contact me
at [email protected]
Me on the beach in Mexico
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Ramblings from your Region Director - Jim “Zeke” Ruzicka
Well it certainly has been an interesting winter! Very little natural snow but the weather cooperated early to
get some snow made so most areas opened on time and some even a little early. As I write this I am getting
ready to head to Lutsen for our Spring Meeting and to test three Basic OEC Candidates (all are from Thunder
Bay, Ontario so we are adding an International flavor to the Western Region!). While most areas will be closing
soon Lutsen still has four weeks left up on the shore; plenty of time to enjoy the mild weather.
We had a great winter of activities in the Western Region this season. We gained a lot of new Patrollers, a
new patrol – Detroit Mountain, and many Patrollers participating in the Senior Program. We even hosted the
Central Division Certified Event at Lutsen in early March. While the Senior Program enjoys continued success
and participation, I was a bit disappointed in the fact that even with the Certified Division evaluation held in our
Region we did not have any participating Patrollers. I know that we all have a lot on our plate these days but if
you have ever considered either event I would strongly suggest you talk to the appropriate folks and get on
board for next season. I am a proponent of these programs for a couple of different reasons: I like the challenge and sense of accomplishment for those participating but I believe more in the effort of all of the supporting Patrollers that help that candidate to succeed. These efforts tend to get the whole patrol involved and
working on these skills, which is always a good thing.
We have a lot of great programs and program advisors on our Region Staff so please let them know if you
have any questions about their program. I would also ask that all of the Patrol Representative’s (PR’s) and Patrol
Director’s (PD’s) out there respond to the inquiries that I see the advisors sending out. The most common statement that I get from the advisors is that they are only hearing back from a few of you. Even if the program isn’t
something you are interested in at the time please let them know. We can only improve/modify/restructure programs based on the input from our clients – you, the Patroller!
I will be heading to the Central Division Spring Meeting in Chicago in a few weeks so if there items that
you would like me to bring forward, let me know. We will be following that up with our Spring Region Board of
Governors Meeting, hosted by Detroit Mountain, late in April. This is an important meeting as it sets the budget
for all of our programs for the coming year. PR’s & PD’s please make it a priority to attend the Patrol Representatives Retreat or send a representative so that your voice is heard. We will start to set our Western Region
events calendar. You will also have the opportunity to sit down with the Patrol leaders in our Region and express
concerns, discuss new topics or seek advice – it is always a learning experience and is open to all Patrollers.
I look forward to a productive off season and I will be working with the Region staff throughout the summer to move our Region forward.
Enjoy your Summer!
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2015 Western Region Women’s Clinic From:Women’s Event Advisor Judy Hill
The Region held our third women’s event this year at Wild Mountain on Sunday, February 8, 2015.
The group of women who participated had a broad choice of training including toboggan, skiing,
snowboarding, and outdoor emergency care (OEC). Training was in small groups, typically ratios of
one instructor for every three attendees. Fun was had by all. Attendees loved the personal attention
they received. For only $35 Patrollers received a lift ticket, private or small group lessons by PSIA,
AASI, or ASE or OEC instructors, a taco dinner, and a great door prize. Save the date on your calendar for the next
Western Region women’s event to be held Saturday, February 6, 2016.
Check out the photo and a video link of highlights from this year’s event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c64OavIDqj8
Spring Mountain Travel Rescue Opportunities by Wrick Dunning
A Mountain Travel and Rescue (MTR) 2 Course will be held at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge, WI,
(http://kvr.state.wi.us/) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 17-19, 2015. (NSP Course #31867) The course is
organized in cooperation with other Regions in the Division and will include some MTR instructor development.
Mountain Travel and Rescue is an educational program within the National Ski Patrol (NSP) focused on backcountry
travel as well as search and rescue. The program is open to NSP Patrollers and candidates, and other interested people.
The MTR 2 course is intended as a second level course in the discipline. A first level MTR course (or its equivalent)
is a prerequisite. Anyone interested in joining us for the weekend and getting credit for an MTR1 experience should
contact me about that possibility.
I have had great fun in the MTR program. It’s a great way to get to know other Patrollers and the skills taught are
useful in many contexts – especially if you do any backcountry skiing. In our Region, it’s mostly the Nordic
Patrollers who find themselves in a backcountry setting but a high percentage of all Patrollers in the Region travel at
some time during the ski season and find ourselves with backcountry opportunities.
You can register for the Mountain Travel and Rescue event on the Western Region web site at
www.nspwesternregion.org
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Awards Report from Martin Fahje
What is most concerning about the Outstanding Awards
nominations this year? The scarcity of them!
Outstanding Awards nominations have all been processed and Region selections have been shipped off to the Central
Division.
While the Awards Committee did receive several quality nominations this season the overall number of Outstanding
Awards nominations is low. I know it can be time consuming and a bit of work, but in the end it’s well worth the
effort to gather the necessary information to submit a nomination.
There are over 1200 member Patrollers in the Western Region. Take a moment to think of the members in your local
Patrol. Surely at least one member in each of the registered Patrols in the Western Region deserves some recognition.
It’s time to turn your attention to all other awards nominations. The next Awards Committee meeting is scheduled for
May 1, 2015, which means nominations must be received by me electronically by April 17th. Original signed hard
copies are due by May 1, 2015.
Nominations in the following categories will be accepted:
Distinguished Service Award
National Appointments
Leadership Commendation Awards
Merit Stars
a. Purple Merit Star
b. Green Merit Star
c. Yellow Merit Star
d. Blue Merit Star
Patrollers Cross
Critical Care Award
Lifetime Achievement
Angel Pin Award
Certificate of Appreciation
Tenth Mountain Division Award
Western Region Outstanding Service Award
Western Region Program Directors Award
Refer to the awards writing guidelines on the Western Region web page or shoot me an email at any time for advice
and help in writing up a nomination. [email protected]
Looking for some camaraderie and adventure? The Senior program may be worth
looking into it. It is a chance to allow you to improve your skiing/boarding and
toboggan handling skills or do you feel you still have untapped potential in your first
aid skills and want to learn more? Look into the Senior program next year and come
join us. You will get to travel to other ski areas and meet wonderful dedicated
Patrollers. The Senior program will be worth your investment.
Contact Terrie Brandt, Senior Program Advisor at [email protected] for more info
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2015 Western Region Senior Evaluation by Terrie Brandt
The
Senior Program had another good year with Senior candidates. The Senior Alpine & Toboggan evaluation was
held at Afton Alps Ski Area on Sunday, February 22nd, which was a very cold day at 2 degrees with a subzero wind
chill. We had the hill to ourselves that day!
3 Candidates passed the Alpine evaluation:
Joe Bottensek – Welch Village Chelsi Igel – Welch Village
Robert Vandenbos – Buck Hill
3 Candidates passed the Toboggan Handling evaluation:
Joe Bottensek – Welch Village Bill Dahlquist – Afton Alps
Chelsi Igel – Welch Village
8 Candidates passed their OEC evaluation, which was held at Afton Alps on Saturday, March 14th.
Steve Afdahl – Buck Hill
Dan McEnery – Buck Hill
Erik Hanson – Three Rivers
Mary Helm – Powder Ridge
Judy Hill – Wild Mt./Lutsen
Steve Hill – Wild Mt./Lutsen
Ashley Orourke – Three Rivers Chad Walker – Buck Hill
We have 2 new Senior Patrollers who have passed all their requirements and we proudly welcome them in as fullfledged Seniors! Judy Hill & Steve Hill - Wild Mountain /Lutsen
Congratulations to all who passed these evaluations! Thanks to all those who had anything to do with these Senior
Events. Thanks to:
-
Candidates for all their hard work, efforts, and accomplishments in their pursuit of excellence.
For all the trainers and those who helped work with the candidates.
Evaluators, Advocates, patients, and everyone who helped assist in the pre-courses, evaluations, and training of
the Senior candidates.
Alane Lucht, the Senior Alpine/Toboggan Coordinator, Brian Ulrich, OEC Coordinator, and Scott Stanley, who
also helped with OEC. They have all spent a lot of time making sure that these programs run smoothly.
Senior Outdoor Emergency from Brian Ulrich Western Region Senior OEC Coordinator
I would like to congratulate Steve Afdahl (Buck Hill), Dan McEnery (Buck Hill), Chad Walker (Buck Hill), Mary
Helm (Powder Ridge), Erik Hanson (Three Rivers), Ashley Orourke (Three Rivers), Judy Hill (Wild Mountain), and
Steve Hill (Wild Mountain) on their successful completion of the Senior OEC program.
The Senior OEC program wrapped up the season under sunny conditions on March 14th. Even with the unique
weather conditions this season provided, the entire candidate class did a great job and worked extremely hard. Thank
you to Scott O’Connor and Afton Alps for hosting the final evaluation; and Jeannine Mogan and Three Rivers (Elm
Creek) and to Kerstin Hammarberg and Buck Hill for hosting the practice evaluations.
Finally a massive thank you and appreciation to everyone who donated their Saturday(s) to come out and help
with practice evaluations and/or the final. Every single participant plays a crucial part to ensure a successful day for
the candidates. The depth of skill and level of integrity of the volunteers in this Region bring
to the events is hard to match…it’s just plain awesome. There has been nothing but positive
feedback from everyone about the events. We were complimented at the final evaluation by
the Division Quality Assurance regarding how believable and consistent the scenarios were,
and how smooth and organized the day was overall. Again thank you to all who helped this
season. I hope to see you back next year as we see another candidate class.
It’s never too early to start thinking about next season so if you or other patrollers you
know are interested in the Senior program or would just like to come and help please reach
out at any time.
Have a great summer everyone, and see you next year when the snow falls.
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We are now a Snow Sports School!
Jill Nothwehr, NSP-C Western Region Snow Sports School Advisor
Powder Ridge Patrollers are all smiles on the short skis!
The NSP Central Division has renamed our organization from ski school to snow sports school. This better
represents what our school offers to all of the Patrollers in the Region and Division.
Would you like to partake in incredibly affordable and fun, day-long lesson next season? You can sign up
beginning in November at nspwesternregion.org. Go to the calendar of events, and take it from there. A mere $25
buys you a six hour lesson taught by Professional Ski Instructors of American/American Association of Snowboard
Instructors (PSIA/AASI) Level 2 & 3 instructors/ patrollers from around the Region. The emphasis is on FUN and
learning.
The highlight of this past season was the opportunity to offer lessons on short skis on loan from the Ohio Region.
Tim Nothwehr taught a high-energy seminar at all five of the Ski Enhancement Seminar’s (SES's) that were offered
around the Region. Those lessons left the Patrollers jazzed and ripping on their own skis by day’s end.
Great news for all of our snowboarding comrades. Judy Hill, from the Wild Mountain and Lutsen ski patrols,
achieved AASI Level 2 status this season! That means that we are officially able to offer top-notch snowboard
instruction, as well as well as skiing and telemark instruction at many of our SES’s around the Region.
Our growing roster of awesome instructors includes: Tim Nothwehr, Todd Gieseke, Jim McLeod, Jim Andrews,
Judy Hill (snowboard), Bob Moe (telemark), John Thomas, Merry Morris and Jill Nothwehr. Thanks to this great
group who use their talents to help improve the Ski Patrol in the Region. These folks give time, effort and money to
reach and uphold both NSP and PSIA/AASI certifications each season. Their passion is to teach Patrollers, and to
have great fun doing so.
I encourage you and your patrol friends to join us at an SES next season. It's a fun way to learn and grow as a
Patroller.
Don’t forget to check out the Western Region Web Site, www.nspwesternregion.org for all the
events that are happening throughout the Region.
Many classes are held throughout the year—check the Region web site often or contact a
program supervisor for specifics. Get your requirements filled for the Senior Program
electives, become an Instructor, or explore Mountain Travel and Rescue.
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2015 is going to be an exciting year!
From Ken Liddell Western Region OEC Administrator
We now have a new ski area….that’s right! Huge kudos to everyone that helped with the entire start-up operations
at Detroit Mountain. From the Detroit Mountain staff, the OEC and OTH Instructors, to the total embrace of the
community and the dedicated new Patrollers who went through a program with such commitment, it was so
impressive to be a part of. The Region is committed to helping Detroit Mountain until they have the numbers needed
to sustain its Patrol.
Refreshers in 2015 will look different. We have the hybrid refreshers that were very successful and have support
from Patrols that were once concerned and skeptical of the whole thing. It did make believers that this could be the
future to better learning and relieve some of the intense training that instructors have had to present. With the help of
our OEC Instructor Trainers (IT’s) answering questions confidently, many Patrols stepped outside the comfort zone
and signed onto the hybrid program. It is a way we can standardize information as it is brought to us and give us
unity in such a vast organization.
As for education, our Region will hold five Instructor Recertification's around the area from north, south, east, and
west. So if you are an instructor and need a re-cert, look early for a location near you and remember it is something
you MUST do every three years. So, get it done early and spare yourself emails from your ROA.
Lastly, we had a “Last Chance Refresher” in Kisson, MN put on by Theresa Peters. This was a wide reaching
refresher that has proven to be invaluable. But, please don’t hang your hat on that because right now it is an optional
refresher which means it may not be scheduled in 2015. Please attend your own area Patrol refresher or attend
another areas refresher.
Have a great summer and remember National Ski Patrol is all year long…. see you soon!
Just when you think you have seen and heard it all!
Patient had a fractured wrist and some facial fractures. Patient said she didn’t know
how to stop. She had always ran out of speed before. Apparently this time the stop
was more abrupt. You think!
This was shared by the Northern Region.
Senior Alpine Program
from Alane Lucht Western Region Senior Alpine Advisor
Congratulations to everyone that passed one or both portions of the Senior On The Hill test.
Thank you to all that helped at the pre-courses and final examination - I couldn’t do it without you.
We started the season in January with a pre-course at Afton Alps. Pre-courses are designed to
determine whether Senior Candidates are in a good position to successfully pass the final Senior Alpine examination.
As the Advisor of the program I like the first pre-course to incorporate a bit of an evaluation with a lesson on
toboggan handling and ski/board riding skills at the Senior level. What does that mean? Senior level sliding skills are
roughly equivalent to the level 7 PSIA/AASI skills. As for toboggan handling you must be able to handle a loaded
toboggan alone, on the smooth steeps, and in the moguls, in addition to being rock solid in your tail-roping
capabilities.
The second Pre-Course was held at Wild Mountain. At this pre-course it is imperative that your skills are becoming
“unconsciously engrained”. This means you no longer have to think about what you’re doing or how you’re doing
it…you just do it - at or above Senior standard.
Now, only one pre-course is required to participate in the final evaluation, but it is highly recommended that you
attend both. You’ll get to know the other candidates as well as your potential evaluators.
If you are interested in participating in the Senior Program next season I encourage you to go to the Central Division
web site at http://www.nspcentral.org/senior.php. There you can download and learn what is needed to start your
journey to becoming a better Patroller. Contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT INSTRUCTOR
DEVELOPMENT - Bob Iverson Western Region Instructor
Development Advisor
The Instructor Development Program is intended to provide a foundation
for all instructors who teach in the NSP system. This includes courses in
five basic disciplines—Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC), Outdoor
Emergency Transportation (OET), Avalanche, Mountain Travel and Rescue
(MTR) and Instructor Development (ID).
Who can take the Instructor Development Course? Any NSP member can
take the course. Generally people who take the course have a desire to be and have been encouraged to be an
instructor in one or more of the NSP disciplines. The course qualifies as a Senior Program elective (one reason that it
is eight hours in length) and some Patrollers take the course to satisfy that requirement.
How can I complete the Instructor Development Course? The ID course can be taken as a traditional face-to-face
class or as a Hybrid E course. If your Patrol or a combination of Patrols has a minimum of six people interested in a
course, the Patrol Representative or designated person can contact an Instructor Development Instructor who can
arrange the course and register it with National. Once a course number is obtained, Patrollers can register for the
course. There is a $10.00 fee for the face-to-face course. The Hybrid E course requires a similar procedure. Interested
candidates contact an ID Instructor or ID Region Supervisor who can register the E-course and obtain a national
course number. This enables the Patrollers to take the course through the online E-learning program at www.nsp.org.
There is a $20.00 charge for the E-course. The course also requires a two-hour face to face session where the course
materials are reviewed and where you will present a short lesson using the six pack lesson plan.
Who needs the Instructor Development course? Any Patroller wishing to instruct in any of the NSP disciplines is
required to take the ID course. This assures the instructors in the NSP system have the same basis for consistent
instruction throughout the whole system.
What is covered in the ID course? Since the course is only eight hours in length
it would be difficult, if not impossible, to present all the things necessary to make
great instructors. Learning on the job under the guidance of an experienced
instructor mentor is where most of that occurs. The course starts by covering
current thinking on how adults learn. Then the course itself, covers basic
instructional tasks and instructor qualities that are essential to become successful.
These include human relations in teaching, giving effective feedback, instruction
management, lesson planning, resources, methods of instruction, monitoring and
evaluation, and administrative procedures. These topics are presented with full
awareness that it takes teaching experience to make good instructors (some say it
takes years).
What are the resources for the ID course? There is an ID textbook available as a pdf file from national. Go to
www.nsp.org and login to Member Services and then to Member Resources, scroll to Education Resources and find
Instructor Development: Training the Adult Learner.
What happens after I finish the ID course? When you have finished the ID course, you will begin the mentoring
process. You will work with an experienced instructor in your chosen discipline where you will observe other
instructors, participate in teaching parts of lessons, prepare and present complete lessons as you learn how to be an
effective instructor. When you and your mentor think you are ready for certification, you will be observed by an
Instructor Trainer in the specific discipline. If all goes well, you will be
certified as a full instructor.
There are currently three ID courses on the schedule. The first is in Detroit Lakes
on Sunday, April 26 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Detroit Mountain Ski Area.
The second is on Saturday, May 16 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at St Mary’s
Hospital in Rochester, MN. The third course will be on Saturday, May 30 from
8 am to 4 pm at the Buck Hill Ski Area. You can find registration information
on the calendar at the Western Region Website, www.nspwesternregion.org.
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Congratulations to Christie Mountain’s Newest Patrollers!
Submitted by Myron Jacobson, Section Chief, W-1
From Left to right: Melissa Dixon, Don Bergstrom, Bradley
Kolzow, and Bridgett Schwederski
Congratulations to Don Bergstrom and Bradley Kolzow, who after passing their On The Hill Skiing Proficiency and
Toboggan Transportation Exam on March 8, 2015, are Christie Mountain’s newest Alpine Ski Patrollers! Also
passing the March 8th Skiing and Transportation Exam were Melissa Dixon and Bridgett Schwederski, who are
working toward completing their OEC Course.
Under the leadership of Christie Mountain’s Patrol Director, Tim Ruhde,
and Toboggan Instructor of Record, Bill Haase, Christie Mountain has a
thriving training program. Recruiting new Patrollers in the wilds of
northwestern Wisconsin is not easy; most of the candidates and their
dedicated trainers drive hours for every class and On The Hill training
session. You have to have a passion for skiing, patrolling, and learning,
but ultimately they go the distance to help and support each other. The
Christie Mountain Ski Patrol embodies the spirit of why we all patrol.
Toboggan Instructor Bob Moe demonstrates how to get a
toboggan to the top using Christie Mountain’s venerable, and
still very used, vintage T bar.
Go to www.nsp.org to update your information
and check out the latest news from National.
Go to www.nspwesternregion.org to check out the
latest in our Region.
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Five Life Saving Essentials: Of all the gear, tools, and equipment we carry in our gear packs, five items that you can carry could save a life and should be a part of your armamentarium. They include: Gloves! These are to save your life, as well as your patient’s life. Infections including HIV, Hepatitis C, and other blood borne pathogens are a reality. Wear your gloves, and inspect them for rips, holes and tears. Remember: Scene Safe, BSI. Carry multiple pairs. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using. Airways: Everybody deserves an airway. Whether it is their own natural airway, or an artificial one that you provide to a patient. In an unresponsive patient, or one with airway problems, your correct use of either an oropharyngeal (OPA)or nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) can save them. Recall SIC: Size, Insert, Check, for the OPA, and SLIC: Size, Lubricate, Insert and Check for NPA. Practice and train with them, be familiar so that in a real emergency it is second nature. Remember the A, in the ABCDE of our primary survey. Without an airway, nothing else you do for them will save a patient. Resuscitation Mask: You should carry either a rescue breathing mask, or a Numask. This is to protect you as a first responder. All modern rescue masks have a one-way valve, to prevent you from breathing in contaminants. Check your masks or Numasks, as they do age and can become brittle. If yours is 8-10 years old it should be replaced. The rescue masks and Numasks each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Be familiar with yours and facile with its use. Tourniquet: When someone has uncontrolled bleeding or is bleeding to death from an arm or leg laceration, a tourniquet that is properly applied will control the bleeding. A commercial tourniquet such as a CAT tourniquet is inexpensive, simple to apply, and effective. Also, an eight-inch piece of wood doweling combined with 2 cravats works well as a homemade windlass tourniquet. In either case, practice and be familiar with your equipment. Write the time down on a piece of tape applied to the patient’s forehead so hospital personnel know when it was applied. Surgeons routinely use tourniquets for up to 2 hours in the operating room without ill effects for knee surgery. Don’t be afraid to use them to save a life, but be darn sure you are using it correctly. Glucose: For some reason, Diabetes Mellitus continues to confuse Patrollers. First, ask the patient specifically about Diabetes. Review Diabetes in the OEC 5 Edition. If the patient has a low glucose level, and you give glucose, you can make them a lot better. If the problem is that their blood glucose is too high, and you give them glucose, you will not make them appreciably worse. So, when in doubt, give glucose, but only if the patient has an intact swallowing mechanism. I recommend and carry a one ounce tube of cake frosting. It is cheap, readily available and works fine. It even comes in many flavors, but I prefer Vanilla. I keep it in an inside warm pocket of my parka so it flows easily. If you had unlimited space in your gear pack, and an unlimited budget, we could discuss many other pieces of life saving equipment. Anyone carry an AED in their waist pack? The five items listed here can truly help you save a life when used correctly. But only if you have them. Scott J. O’Connor, MD Western Region Medical Advisor
Be a Double Black Diamond Express contributor.
Articles are due in October for the Fall edition.
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So, you want to be a Toboggan Instructor?
Here’s how to do it.
Hello! My name is Jake Meyer and this past fall I was asked to take the reins as the new Western Region
Toboggan Administrator.
Over the past few months I have been asked many questions, but the most common one has been “How do I
become a Toboggan Instructor?” Well, if you have ever wanted to become a toboggan instructor, but never really
knew what is needed, then this article is for you. I want to make it as easy as possible. Reading the following 12
bullet points does not make you an instructor, but it is a good place to start.
All the necessary documents can be found on the Western Region web site http://nspwesternregion.org/index.php
or the web site National http://nsp.org .
1. Complete an Instructor Development course - check the Region web site for class information.
2. Read the "2007-Transportation-Program-Instructor_Information.pdf".
3. Read the "OET (outdoor emergency transportation) Manual.pdf"
4. Fill out the "Instructor_Application_Form 2014.pdf" and save to turn in later.
5. Find a mentor and have them review the "Guide to Mentoring New Instructors 01-2014.pdf" and
"Instructor_Mentoring_Completion Form 2014" with you. (If you need help finding a mentor ask your PR/PD.)
6. Observer your mentor teaching and fill out your "Instructor_Mentoring_Completion Form 2014"
7. Teach a toboggan class and go over it with your mentor. Be sure to fill out your mentoring
"Instructor_Mentoring_Completion Form 2014"
8. Teach, teach and teach again. Continue to fill our your "Instructor_Mentoring_Completion Form 2014"
9. When you and your mentor think you are ready to be signed off, contact the Western Region Toboggan
Administrator to schedule an IT (Instructor Trainer) to come out and observe you teach and review your training
history with you and your mentor. Please be sure to do this weeks in advance to avoid any scheduling conflicts.
10. Give your completed paperwork to the IT who will then get it to the Western Region Toboggan Advisor to
submit to National. Be sure to keep a copy for your records.
11. Celebrate!
12. Watch for your status to change on your NSP profile.
Be sure to continue to teach and document your teaching efforts throughout the years. To keep current you will
need to re-certify your toboggan instructor status every 3 years. Watch the Western Region events calendar for recertification clinics scheduled throughout the ski season.
Stay on Edge and Cheers to Carving!
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Caring for Preschoolers
Submitted by Chelsi Igel,
Western Region Critical Incident Stress Management Advisor
This past season I worked alongside a few of my fellow Patrollers with an
injured preschool aged guest. The child’s reaction to the situation made it
difficult to move forward with the assessment, interventions and transport.
Luckily, one of my fellow Patrollers used some helpful techniques that got us
through the incident and helped keep the patient and caregivers calm and cooperative. Patrolling primarily on
weekday nights, I do not care for preschool age children frequently. This incident was a great reminder that young
children require patience and a special approach. Having the tools to use when working with injured preschool
guests and their parents/guardian can help reduce the stress impact, and facilitate more effective and timely
interventions.
Sudden or life-threatening illness or injury and the associated procedures, sights and sounds of a medical or first aid
setting can cause significant distress. It is important to consider not only your actions but also the environment and
setting of the incident. Reduce noise and distractions. For example, keep radio volumes down and avoid having
extra Patrollers helping if not necessary. Allow the child to be in their parents/guardian arms if possible.
From the very beginning of the interaction be sure to identify yourself using your first name. Get your body down to
the level of the child when possible. Talk to the child using simple language and include the parent/guardian in the
dialogue, if present. If the parent/guardian is not present tell the child that someone will find them as soon as
possible. Maintain good eye contact to keep the child’s confidence and to observe for subtle facial clues such as
grimacing that could help identify pain. Avoid apologies and instead praise good behavior. Be specific, such as
“You’re holding still. Good for you!” or “You’re doing just what we asked you to do!”
If there are no life-threatening injuries complete your examination and interventions in a calm and relaxed way.
Examine the most painful part last if possible. Ask the child to point to where it hurts and examine that part last. You
may have difficulty completing your exam if you cause pain with palpation at the beginning.
As you proceed with an intervention explain to the child, and demonstrate if possible, what you are going to do
before you do it. Allow them to touch and examine the equipment and supplies you are going to use. Ask if there are
any questions and answer them honestly and in simple terms. Do not falsely reassure. Acknowledge when an
intervention may hurt. When talking to the child, avoid asking yes or no questions; if you offer choices try limiting
them to two options.
There are additional techniques that can be helpful when completing interventions. If present, the parent/guardian
can usually be most helpful by offering distraction. Apologies should be avoided and are often not helpful. Focus on
and reinforce helpful behaviors of both the patient and the parent/guardian. Activities such as deep breathing,
playing, singing and talking about or imagining familiar or happy things can be helpful.
Having the correct skills for the developmental stage of the preschool child provides a better experience for all
involved. Using these skills can reduce stress for the child and their parent/guardian during and after the incident,
promote effective communication and cooperation—ultimately leading to a better experience and the best possible
outcomes.
Have a great Summer!
Do something over the ‘off’ season to prepare for snow!
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