This year Payette Lakes Ski Patrol will be recruiting candidates for the Outdoor First Care (OFC) Host program. Candidates in this program complete a course that requires about 25 hours of online and hands-on training. No additional reading is required. The OFC program trains candidates to assist ski patrollers in emergency care situations. They learn the same skills that patrollers learn but without the in-depth background and scenario practice. We are hoping more people will be interested in OFC  training because the time commitment is much shorter than for the OEC course. Having OFC Hosts work with our patrollers would increase our membership and help ensure that we have sufficient numbers to provide good emergency care at the Little Ski Hill and Bear Basin Nordic Center.

The Payette Lakes Ski Patrol (PLSP) is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing outdoor emergency medical care services and training.  PLSP has served the McCall, Idaho area since 1955 and provides patrol services for the Little Ski Hill and Bear Basin Nordic Center.
There’s nothing more rewarding than helping others while having a good time doing it. The main objective of being a Payette Lakes Ski Patrol member is to assist at the Little Ski Hill and Bear Basin Nordic Center in caring for injured or ill skiers, boarders, or snowshoers. Our goal is to make mountain recreation safer and more fun, but there are many other benefits. You’ll be a respected part of the industry. You’ll perfect your skills. You’ll receive complimentary ski passes. You’ll have the opportunity to take advantage of pro deals on outdoor equipment. And you’ll make friendships that will last a lifetime. We have various types of patrollers and hosts:
Alpine Patrollers provide emergency care at The Little Ski Hill.  Duties include: opening runs to ensure safety measures are in place, responding to accidents, transporting patients to the lodge, treating patients in the aid room, and closing runs at the end of the day to ensure everyone is off the hill.
Nordic Patrollers provide emergency care at the Bear Basin Nordic Center. Duties include: skiing trails to ensure safety measures are in place, greeting skiers and snowshoers, helping patrons select appropriate trails to use, responding to occasional incidents, transporting patients to the trailhead, and treating patients at the trailhead warming hut.
Patrollers (non-transporting) can provide emergency care at either location.  A Patroller may help with any activities except patient transportation.
Patrol Host is a new position that PLSP is adding to our cadre.  Hosts greet people arriving at the area, assist newcomers with trail suggestions, ski the trails and report conditions, respond to accidents and provide basic first aid and patient care. Hosts may work towards becoming an Alpine Patroller or Nordic Patroller over time.
JOINING THE PATROL
Alpine Patroller candidates complete the National Ski Patrol (NSP) Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course, the Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET) course, and a ski or snowboard proficiency test. Nordic Patrollers complete the OEC course and the Nordic/Backcountry course. Patrollers (non-transporting) complete the OEC course. Hosts complete the fundamental first aid Outdoor First Care (OFC) course and orientation to the Nordic or alpine venues and duties. All types of patrollers complete a Basic Life Support CPR course. After their training is complete, candidates are voted onto the Patrol. The minimum age to start any of these courses is 15.

CONTINUING EDUCATION
All patrollers are required to complete annual OEC refreshers, and CPR refreshers, as well as toboggan handling refreshers, and other local patrol training requirements. Hosts are encouraged to continue working to achieve OEC certification over an extended time frame. Optional education courses offered through NSP include: Mountain Travel and Rescue, Avalanche, Bike, Outdoor Risk Management, and Instructor Development. And the Senior Patroller program is designed to enhance the skills of experienced patrollers of all types.
For more information, contact:

Barb Pyle                      208-630-3829   bpdf123@gmail.com

Jeff Canfield                 208-741-4311   jeffcanfieldm6@gmail.com

Mike Wissenbach          208-308-3870   mjw.pra4snow@gmail.com