So, Advice on Becoming a Patroller?

[kellen]

I'm seriously considering trying to apply to patrol at some resort next season. I feel pretty confident for a ski test, but I'm more curious as to what first-aid/med certs I should be looking into. Already planning on Avy I this season, and I'm hoping to look into medical certs over the summer. What can I expect to be doing, being a first year patroller with no previous experience?

Lastly, strictly out of random curiosity, what is the usual ski test like?

[summit]

get your EMT-B but check with the mountain because a few prefer OEC to EMT

[Rascal King]

Smoke weed alot of weed. Everybody smokes weed and everybody should.

[beaterdit]

get your EMT-B but check with the mountain because a few prefer OEC to EMT

EMT-B is far above and beyond OEC, if you're an EMT, you can test out of OEC. Plus, you'll be attending the mountains annual three part OEC refresher for NSP anyway. Your mountain may or may not require or refresh EMT, but it's a good idea, and may put you ahead of other candidates. Another good thing is to get some actual prehospital experience, like volunteering or signing on part time with your local ambulance service. You can't do this with just your OEC.

As far as the ski test goes, it's nothing any expert wouldn't pass, unless you're talking Jackson Hole, that's maybe a different story and it's like a five year wait to be volunteer. Otherwise, it'll be wedging, sideslipping, short, medium, long turns, bumps, ect. You won't be running toboggans in your ski test. It's also a means to get to know candidates, so talk it up with the guys/gals, be yourself, unless you're an ass. Whatever, you do, BE HUMBLE, don't brag or talk yourself up too much, if you've got releveant accomplishments, you can bring them up in your interview.

If there's any kind of volunteer program, try to hook up with it so the guys/gals can get to know you and get used to seeing you around. If they like you, and you're qualified, it gives you a huge edge over someone they don't know.

[pde20]

I'm seriously considering trying to apply to patrol at some resort next season. I feel pretty confident for a ski test, but I'm more curious as to what first-aid/med certs I should be looking into. Already planning on Avy I this season, and I'm hoping to look into medical certs over the summer. What can I expect to be doing, being a first year patroller with no previous experience?

Lastly, strictly out of random curiosity, what is the usual ski test like?

You should narrow down your search and then call and ask rather than going out a blowing $$ on classes you don't necessarily need or that you might get paid for while on patrol. Getting Avy I on your own is of course a good idea, but be aware that some patrols will put you through it on their dime anyway. Where I worked, you had to have OEC to get the job and had to have your EMT-B by end of year 2.

My ski test consisted of "how good a skier are you?" They weeded out a few folks once we started doing toboggan training, but i didn't go through a formalized "test." Again, you should narrow and ask.

[pde20]

It's also a means to get to know candidates, so talk it up with the guys/gals, be yourself, unless you're an ass. Whatever, you do, BE HUMBLE, don't brag or talk yourself up too much, if you've got releveant accomplishments, you can bring them up in your interview.

Great advice there.

[Gebster]

I'm seriously considering trying to apply to patrol at some resort next season. I feel pretty confident for a ski test, but I'm more curious as to what first-aid/med certs I should be looking into. Already planning on Avy I this season, and I'm hoping to look into medical certs over the summer. What can I expect to be doing, being a first year patroller with no previous experience?

Lastly, strictly out of random curiosity, what is the usual ski test like?

You should check with Erica if you want to find out about the Mammoth test, she tested with Steve M. up on the mountain last spring.

[summit]

EMT-B is far above and beyond OEC, if you're an EMT, you can test out of OEC. Plus, you'll be attending the mountains annual three part OEC refresher for NSP anyway. Your mountain may or may not require or refresh EMT, but it's a good idea, and may put you ahead of other candidates. Another good thing is to get some actual prehospital experience, like volunteering or signing on part time with your local ambulance service. You can't do this with just your OEC.

I agree 100% except for some reason a few hills around *REQUIRE* that you take an OEC course (and won't let you challenge) no matter your other certs (EMT-B, EMT-P, MD, etc). I don't know why but they do. Loveland comes to mind...

[SRSHARPEJR]

Why... no really, why? Do you need a job to get you up and get after it? Like to help people with injuries that will limit their ability to do the thing that keeps them from joining the military and killing people? This is somewhat serious and a little bitter/sarcastic...

[summit]

srsharper... do i know you? and lay off the crack before posting

[skibuminwyo]

OEC = ski patroller training. quite frankly, when we hire people, we don't take emts unless they can pass the test. our insurance requires OEC to operate, and there is always the option of trying to test out as an EMT. few do it. i feel like i can rag on emts, since i am one, as well as an OEC tech. check with the mountain first, sometimes the patrols will actually put on the class, and its always better to go into it with people you will work for, so you know their protocol and what not. think of it this way though. an emt has a nice big truck full of gear and unless you are rural (as our ambulance service is) you have less than a 20 minute transport. now look at our ski patrol. we have our duty belts, and yea, a trauma kit will come eventually, but until it does, you have what you have on you. then you have to stabilize and take care of that pt. (for us) for about 45 minutes, till the big white truck with blinky lights shows up. its a different kinda deal. i dunno. just my $0.02 and im sure alot of people will disagree with me that work for different resorts.

[SRSHARPEJR]

Summit, Maybe. It's my name... annonymity is bullshit... one of the reasons I don't like cities...

No crack? All the cool kids are doing it.

[beaterdit]

I agree 100% except for some reason a few hills around *REQUIRE* that you take an OEC course (and won't let you challenge) no matter your other certs (EMT-B, EMT-P, MD, etc). I don't know why but they do. Loveland comes to mind...

I guess that makes sense. The two mountains I patrolled for REQUIRED EMT-B, and then gave you OEC too, and refreshed both. You do HAVE TO HAVE OEC to be National Ski Patrol, volunteer or pro.

[Rascal King]

Summit if a fucking homo.

[summit]

OEC = ski patroller training. quite frankly, when we hire people, we don't take emts unless they can pass the test. our insurance requires OEC to operate, and there is always the option of trying to test out as an EMT. few do it. i feel like i can rag on emts, since i am one, as well as an OEC tech. check with the mountain first, sometimes the patrols will actually put on the class, and its always better to go into it with people you will work for, so you know their protocol and what not. think of it this way though. an emt has a nice big truck full of gear and unless you are rural (as our ambulance service is) you have less than a 20 minute transport. now look at our ski patrol. we have our duty belts, and yea, a trauma kit will come eventually, but until it does, you have what you have on you. then you have to stabilize and take care of that pt. (for us) for about 45 minutes, till the big white truck with blinky lights shows up. its a different kinda deal. i dunno. just my $0.02 and im sure alot of people will disagree with me that work for different resorts.

It depends on your mountain. Some areas patrollers where everyone is an EMT too and they have paramedics running around too with a trauma centers in the base area with online medical control radio ready. Other areas have first aiders and OECs and a shack at the base that doubles as a first aid room until the ambulance or helicopter can get there.

Around here some mountains accept OEC but expect patrollers to get their EMT too after the first year (vail resorts, or keystone at least) others will not accept OEC alone and require EMT (intrawest resorts, example copper mountain) and I know of only one mountain that requires OEC despite candidates having higher level certs (Loveland).

EMT training is longer and more involved inluding requirmenets for clinical training vs OEC. OEC is a big money maker for NSP which is a major reason that it still exists instead of having been combined.

I guess I can say all that but I think that both EMT and OEC training programs are nowhere near the level that they should be. In fact, they should be educational programs instead of training programs with books written at the middle school level. Providers should be taught to think instead of to react (comprehensive understanding versus purely teaching algorithms). At least EMT requires decent CE hours (at least for NR). OEC CE requirements are minimalist (which is why I think some patrols establish their own CE requirements).

Going back to the other thread: Why can they pay little to patrollers? It isn't only that everyone is willing to do the job, but it is very easy to qualify for the job. There are no major educational requirements. You don't have to be a super skier. Then they pay you to ski. Nevermind if the job is difficult, the candidate pool is huge and willing.

EMS faces a similar dilemma.

(for the record I am an WEMT-IV but I am not a patroller)

[beaterdit]

OEC = ski patroller training. quite frankly, when we hire people, we don't take emts unless they can pass the test. our insurance requires OEC to operate, and there is always the option of trying to test out as an EMT. few do it. i feel like i can rag on emts, since i am one, as well as an OEC tech. check with the mountain first, sometimes the patrols will actually put on the class, and its always better to go into it with people you will work for, so you know their protocol and what not. think of it this way though. an emt has a nice big truck full of gear and unless you are rural (as our ambulance service is) you have less than a 20 minute transport. now look at our ski patrol. we have our duty belts, and yea, a trauma kit will come eventually, but until it does, you have what you have on you. then you have to stabilize and take care of that pt. (for us) for about 45 minutes, till the big white truck with blinky lights shows up. its a different kinda deal. i dunno. just my $0.02 and im sure alot of people will disagree with me that work for different resorts.

I've been both as well, worked rural ambulance, rural Ski hill with long extrication times like you described. I still think EMT is more solid med training, a basic can't use much more than he can carry anyway. I've never heard of anyone getting turned away for being an EMT and not having OEC though. Like you said, the mountain will want to put you through thier own program anyway.

I hear what you're saying though, being in the back of an ambulance with a paramedic isn't the same as being first on scene to a bad tree-strike. Maybe I just take that OEC stuff for granted 'cause I've had it since it was WEC, and got the wilderness cert for my EMT-B as well.

[mtbakerskier]

Take the OEC!!!!

While medically speaking the EMT-B is more advanced the OEC is far more praticle on hill, esp if your lucky enough to find an instructor that combines the OEC with the WFR.

The OEC class that I wook was taught by the guy that owns / designs Contera packs and he is fully certified to teach OEC, WFR, EMT-Paramedic and Wilderness paramedic. His thougts where that most EMT certs are really more practicle in a urban setting where you have quick acces to difinitive medicle care while as the WFR and OEC are way better for ski / patrol / mtn envirometns where you are dealing with long transport times over rough terrain.

The WFR course if FAR more praticle than OEC, but 99% of all patrols are insured threw NSP and thus REQUIRE OEC in stead of WFR.

In short, your first aid CERTS are the MOST important criteria for patrol.

[robokill1981]

You're getting some good info on here, but actually calling or stopping by the patrol department at resorts you want to patrol at would probably be your best bet.

AFAIK Beaver Creek and Breck both hold their ski tests in the late spring. Candidates who pass the test are then first on the list for any positions that open up. You don't need any sort of medical certification to take the test, but if you pass the ski test you'll want to get all your certs done in the summer in case the patrol calls you up in the fall. That said I'm sure every resort is different in the way they hire patrol. Stopping by or calling and introducing yourself now would probably be a smart move.

[SRSHARPEJR]

No hate involved w/ my post. I've been hauled off the hill twice and I, for one, am glad there was someone competent there for me. Still don't like the cop mentality of the patrol staff... sometimes. The humility quote earlier is a good one for both sides... if you are going to patrol, be competent if not the best patroller ever... it's not your mountain though, it's ours.

[mtbakerskier]

I guess I can say all that but I think that both EMT and OEC training programs are nowhere near the level that they should be. In fact, they should be educational programs instead of training programs with books written at the middle school level. Providers should be taught to think instead of to react (comprehensive understanding versus purely teaching algorithms). At least EMT requires decent CE hours (at least for NR). OEC CE requirements are minimalist (which is why I think some patrols establish their own CE requirements).

EMS faces a similar dilemma.

(for the record I am an WEMT-IV but I am not a patroller)

That is EXACTLY why I am so stoked I took mine from Rick Lipke, the guy is probally one of the smartest and most respected first aid geeks around. The first thing he told us was to not READ the OEC book untill after we did the practice scenarioes as he STRESSED thinking about the situation and why things where occuring and then think of how to quickly solve the root problem. This made taking the OEC tests a breeze.

[Steepdeepnlong]

OEC is the course endorsed by Nat Ski Patrol, but local mtns will have their own protocol. The ski test I took consisted of wedging, sideslipping, falling leaf, and a variety of short, medium and long radius turns in as many different snow conditions as the day allowed (groomers and chop). These skills form the basics of toboggan handling. I think the philosophy of most ski patrol response is along the lines of "stabilize and transport".

I can not say enough about the being humble tip someone gave earlier. You're likely to be trying to get on a patrol where some folks will have been there for 25 years. There isn't much you can say that will impress them. There will also be more than one guy/gal who is 20 years older than you who will ski your ass into the ground.

[kellen]

Thanks for the many informative posts folks. Keep it up.

[Orange Julius]

FYI - the WFR, while informative and thorough for guides, etc, don't mean shit to nobody when it comes to "certified". Oregon doesn't even recognize its existence. Even a basic FR (cop, etc) has more legal options for care than a wmi/wma WFR does.

There is currently a movement underway to get WFRs at least recognized at the FR level by the state (at least here in OR). However I would assume a ski patrol would at least look favorably on a WFR trained individual, even if they don't offer reciprocity for the OEC.

I'll also second the notion that there is a world of difference between someone who has this training, and someone who has actually used it "on the job".

[Meadow Skipper]

Here's my story: I stopped by last spring to meet and ski with the patrol director. I stayed in touch over the summer and showed up for their fall refresher training. This patrol is pro-only and minimum EMT-B for full patrollers, no OEC or NSP, so I took EMT-B training in the fall. There are a number of paramedic patrollers on the staff and the medical director dons a jacket and spends time on the mountain.

There is a lower level in the patrol department called 'safety team' that's for trainees and people that aren't EMT-B. Full patrol status for trainees requires getting cleared on medical scenarios, steep sled runs, knowledge of the mountain, etc.

I strongly recommend going to have a talk with the patrol director to see what they're looking for ahead of time.

[Blurred]

My advice? Don't fuck with Kilo.