Frequently Asked Question

(Not in any order – black print is question, blue print is answer)

 

(one thing you will notice is that most answers tell you to check with the particular patrol you will be joining. In other words, each patrol and management at each hill is different so all patrols do things different – so the best place to get answers is from people on each patrol)

 

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Though I am intending to participate in the full training, I am curious as to what the challenge is.  The reason I ask is that my professional education is that I am a Dentist and previous Registered Nurse so I have had extensive education into the human anatomy and physiology and emergency situations in the office.  I have also just renewed my CPR for the health professional.  I would like to take part in the whole OEC experience because I am sure there is alot that I can still learn or I may have forgotten and it would be a good refresher. (If you don't use it you lose it. Right). There may be situations which arise however which may prevent me from attending a class and I was wondering if I would be fine studying the book or perhaps challenging parts.

 

Answer:  The challenge is just that...  someone comes in and will take the OEC written final the same night we test the OEC students.  If they pass the written final, they come to the Practical final and are tested with the OEC students doing scenarios.  All must pass two scenarios (3 are given if needed), then they are NSP patrollers.  We tend to get 3 or 4 EMT/Nurse/Doctor's every year to do this.  They have the knowledge base so they "challenge" the course without attending the classes.  We do strongly recommend that they attend several of class sessions to practice scenarios to make sure they understand the difference it how they do things vs. how NSP does them...  the big difference is that we do not have an ambulance and all the equipment that it carries (ditto at hospitals)...  they are more used to unpackaging as to were we do the packaging..  Small, but very important differences...  But as you know the human body is all the same if it's in an OEC book, EMT book, etc.   Dr's of course go very much more into the depth than what we do or need to do.  Our goal is to get a pt. to a hospital within one hour without further injury.   We know they are sick or injured and need to get them to advanced care as fast as we can.  As far as missing classes, you would be the best judge of that, especially when you see that we are really teaching basic anatomy...  name all the bones, perfusion, shock, diabetics, baby delivery, etc.  But we also go over how we recognize these things and what we are supposed to do for treatment in an outdoor setting...  but things like giving O2, checking vitals, I am sure you know, but most people do not.  But how many knots do you know ?   If you have to miss a few lectures I am sure you will not have any problems passing...  I would also bet you could pass the written now.  But the scenarios would be something different...

 

 

 

I cannot remember if I sent you an email earlier stating that I was interested in possibly, challenging the OEC course.  I would prefer to take the course because the refresher training is always a plus.  However, I have two little ones at home and I am trying to stay home as much as possible when I am not working. I have been a Paramedic for 12 years in San Diego and Sacramento and was a Paramedic instructor for 4 years.  I realize that OEC is a little different than the standard curriculum so I would just like to know my options.

 

Answer:  you do have the option to challenge the class...  We strongly recommend all EMT's types who are going to challenge the class to come to several of our classes primarily for the scenario practice.  The hardest thing for you will be to remember that ALL you have on the hill is just what is in your small fanny pack...  no ambulance, no immediate contact to the hospital, etc.  Just a toboggan and your fanny pack.  But an assessment is an assessment, BP is BP, pulse, respirations, are still taking the same...  except we don't have BP kits with us...  at least I don't know too many patrollers who carry one !!  We are basically EMT's in our scope of responsibilities. 

 

I assume you are still an active Paramedic.  If not, then you really should take the OEC class.  It would all depend on your actual situation.  We do work with everyone and need to talk to you to be able to determine how we can get you qualified as an NSP patroller.  

 

Where can I found information about the OEC class?

 

Information about the class can be seen at  http://www.donnerskiranch.org (see OEC information link)

What diameter should the wooden dowel be?

Wooden dowel  =  approx 3/8" mainly needed for a tourniquet when all else fails...

Can you provide the sizes of the oral and nasal airways that youd like?  They’re typically numbered.

Airways - this would only be a guess... the reason I say that is there is know way I could guess what size you would need on the hill in a real situation...  personally, I have never had to use either one in 12 years, but do carry a set of 5 in my fanny pack.  That is why we suggest getting one for an infant, child, and adult.  Most hills have a set of them in their trauma pack  Hope this helps.

By glucose pack, do you mean something like Glucose paste in a tube?  Would Gu gel or Cliff shots do?

glucose - as long as it is sugar it doesn't matter...  I used to carry packets of sugar !  again, never needed in 12 years

Is there a particular pack/jacket/vest we should get to hold all these goodies? 

Pack / Jacket- WAIT !!!!!!!    for now a Wal-mart blue plastic bag works for training.  Check with your patrol for their protocol on vest, fanny pack, or backpack.  Same is true for buying a NSP jacket and/or ski pants.

 

What are the requirements to join a patrol and National Ski Patrol?

 

To join a patrol and NSP you will need to pass the OEC class or challenge the class if you are already an EMT, paramedic, nurse, doctor, etc.  Each patrol has their protocol to join their patrol.  Many require someone to have already completed the OEC class and/or require a ski test prior to accepting someone on their patrol.  You have to check with the patrol you are interested in joining.  At Donner Ski Patrol, we do not require a ski check or OEC to join initially.  There are too many ways a person can contribute to our patrol.  Everyone must pass the OEC class within a year of joining our patrol.

 

What age can you join NSP?

 

You need to be 15 years old before the season starts to join a patrol and take OEC and toboggan training.

 

What can I expect the 1st year as a patroller?

 

A new patroller first year will vary at every hill.  Most patrols the first year patroller will enter into toboggan and continued OEC training. Since every patrol is different you need to ask the patrol you want to join or have committed too.  At DSR and most hills, every new patroller will start toboggan training. However, we do not require it at DSR.   We evaluate each new patrollers skiing ability, and if the patroller and our instructors feel that just skiing training is needed, we do not encourage the patroller to start toboggan training.  We do require each new patroller on our hill to learn our hill protocols, such as learning all trail names, radio procedures, first aid room procedures, etc.  We actually have several patrollers who have been auxiliaries, cannot not pull a toboggan with pt, but can do all other duties. 

 

Why can’t you finalize your OEC fees earlier?

 

Since our class is offered thru Tahoe Community College, we have to wait to see what the cost if per unit (6 ˝ units credit for our class).  This is the only fee that we can not control.

 

What can I expect when taking the OEC class?

 

In a very short time, you will learn a great deal about the human body.  Such as knowing the name of every bone, organ, and major component of the body and how they work and/or connected and their function within the body.  The class will start with some needed background information about NSP and legal aspects of becoming a NSP patroller.  Next is the anatomy and physiology of the body.  Then we start into injuries and how to splint / bandage every type of injury to the body.  While learning this, you will be learning how to do an assessment.  This is the key element in being able to pass the OEC final. 

 

By looking at the class schedule, you can see after the first couple of weeks, we basically have two lectures then assessment/scenario or splint/bandaging practice for the rest of the night.  We do expect students to stay ahead of the lectures by having the workbook completed for each class when they show up for class.  Our lectures are not designed to teach the material, but rather to review and enforce the information in the book.  We do give a quiz after each lecture.

 

Please plan on bringing your dinner with you as we take a very short break for dinner.  There is not enough time to leave to go out to a fast food dinner.  Not any in the immediate vicinity anyway.

Students are required to have the student workbook completed prior to taken the written final. 

A $100 deposit is required to sign up for the OEC class.  The remainder of the fees are due the 1st week of class.  (if someone does truly have a financial burden, please contact Keith Romig and we can work out something for you that will work)

 

What do I need to get for the class?  Books?

 

Please go to our website (http://www.donnerskipatrol.org) and start getting the recommended medical items.  You need to have these items by the 3rd week of class, but can use anything to carrying them, such as a plastic store bag. 

 

Of course you will need a pencil/pen and paper for notes and I suggest getting a highlighter to use within your OEC manual.

 

We order the required books for you.  NSP does not charge us shipping so we charge what we pay for the books.  We require you to get the OEC manual, OEC workbook, and the Ski Patroller’s Manual.  This is the primary reason we ask for a $100 deposit for the class so we can get them to you the first night of class if not sooner.

 

My son/spouse will be attending the class this year.  Do they need to get all the books?

 

No, they can use your OEC manual (assuming it is the 4th Edition) and the Ski Patroller’s manual.  But they will need to get an OEC workbook ($25).  However the other class fees will need to be paid.

 

I have vacation scheduled for two weeks in August, how will this affect me.  I will be in a special training for work, during the class…  etc.

 

Of course it is beneficial for you to be in class each and every night.  However, we do understand this is not always possible.  By being prepared by reading and studying the OEC manual and doing the OEC workbook BEFORE we cover the material will greatly enhance your learning.  It has always been obvious to the instructors who are doing this. This year we have eliminated the Saturday classes by extending the length of the course (same amount of classroom hours).  By doing this, we will be allowing a longer time frame to get the workbook done.  Also, frees up the weekend’s to practice, study, work on the workbook and relax.

 

To answer this in a short statement – you are the one wanting to join the NSP.  To do this YOU must learn the material and pass the test.  Obviously, we don’t recommend missing, but others have done so in the past and still done well.  We are there to help you accomplish YOUR goal.  If someone does put in an honest effort, we do think you will pass.  All of our students have so far.  But many have been extremely close to not making it.

 

I used to be a NSP patroller at ABC patrol.  How can I come back and become a patroller again.

 

There are a couple of avenues for you.  If it has been less than 3 years since you joined you can “challenge” the class or work the patrol to make other arrangements to get current.  If longer than this you still have the option to either challenge or take the OEC class in its entirety.