Patrols respond quickly to injuries
by Pete Kimball, Outpost contributor
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Skiing Tahoe |
"I had to use my first aid training every time I went to work," said Travis Lark, a former Mt. Rose Ski Area ski patrol member.
Lark, 21, rattled off injuries like shoulder dislocations, femur fractures, back injuries and boot top fractures as the injuries he saw most often. But injuries added a little excitement to his job, he said.
A member of the Kirkwood Ski Patrol participates in a rescue operation. Photo courtesy of Alpengroup. |
Phil Caterino, who has been training ski patrol members for more than 20 years, said most ski patrol members used to carry a first aid card but now many ski patrol members are emergency medical technicians who use their medical training in other capacities during the off season. At minimum, ski areas expect ski patrol members to go through the basic type of first aid training that Caterino offers in his sessions.
Caterino said another concern for the ski patrol is to be able to administer on-the-spot first aid and get an injured skier down the mountain in time for a doctor to get them the help they need.
"Immediate care on the hill can make the difference with a more serious injury," Caterino said. "There have been countless times when I have followed up on an injured skier...and been told that the treatment received on the hill made the difference for that person."
Posted Dec. 4, 1997
Copyright 1997 Nevada Outpost
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