TBSP Introduction

About the Patrol

Another day on patrol in the Tahoe National Forest.

The Tahoe Back country Ski Patrol is organized and dedicated to the service of the Tahoe National Forest, Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest, and their winter visitors. Our philosophy is to provide a valuable public service while having a lot of fun.

HOW TO JOIN

If you are interested in joining the patrol, we will be having SkiAlongs on selected weekends, where you can spend a day with TBSP on patrol. In mid April, we host "Introductory to Ski Patrol", a one-day introductory on-the-snow event in the Castle Peak area. The event will include a ski test in addition to a presentation on backcountry safety, a demonstration of patrol emergency response, and opportunities for questions and answers. Interested parties should attend the Introduction to Ski Patrol day. and come for a SkiAlong. Contact us for more information on scheduling for either day.

Prospective candidates should sign up for an Outdoor Emergency Care course in their area. The classes are usually held at different times of the year, from late spring to late November. Since the enrollment capacity is limited, it is strongly suggested that people sign up as soon as the course is announced.

If you have additional questions, please send me an email!

Think snow,

recruiter@tbsp.org

Where we Patrol

We patrol on National Forest lands in the following areas:

• Castle Peak, Hwy 80 across from Boreal Ski area
• Pole Creek, Hwy 89 between Squaw Valley ski area and the town of Truckee
• Martis Peak, Hwy 267 near Brockway Summit and Northstar ski area
• Mt. Judah, near Sugar Bowl ski area on old Hwy. 40
• Tahoe Meadows, Nevada Hwy 431 near Mt. Rose ski area

When we Patrol

The TBSP season runs from mid-December through mid-April. All patrol days are on weekends. There are a few three-day weekends due to federal holidays. A typical patrol day begins at 8:30am and ends before sunset (about 5:00pm).

Requirements for Participation

New candidates must satisfy the following requirements to attain patroller status by the end of their first season:

1. Successful completion of the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course, a comprehensive first aid course developed by the National Ski Patrol (NSP) specifically for ski patrollers and other outdoor enthusiasts. See below for more details on the OEC course.
2. Current certification in two-rescuer CPR (American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer, or American Heart Association equivalent).
3. Participation in ten (10) training days. Two of these are preseason. Two of these are a snowcamping overnight. Training includes NSP Basic Avalanche and Basic Mountaineering.
4. Service on five (5) patrol days, with TBSP patrollers.
5. Successful completion of the final OEC evaluation on the snow.

The requirements above equate to a total of fifteen (15) days of training and service in the first season, not including the OEC course.

Those that are unable to enroll in and pass the OEC course prior to the beginning of the season may still become candidates. These candidates are subject to the same first season participation requirements as above, less two (2) training days and the final OEC evaluation. Therefore candidates without OEC course completion are only required to participate in a total of thirteen (13) days in the first season. However, the following year they must enroll in the OEC course and pass the final OEC evaluation. In this case, patroller status is gained early in the following season.

Patrollers are required to participate in a total of (10) days a year, which includes a fall OEC/Operations refresher (two days), a one-day On-the-hill refresher in December, and seven additional days of regular patrol duty. All these days are on weekends. Many members put in additional days simply because they enjoy the experience. Others get patrol day credit whenever they help as an instructor on a training day. Incentives and/or prizes are often awarded to those who volunteer extra days.

Medical and Training Requirements

1. All candidates must pass the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course taught by volunteer National Ski Patrol instructors. This course is taught in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sacramento Area, the Reno/Lake Tahoe area and Modesto each year at various times from June through November. Fees range anywhere from $100 to $200. Starting the year after you complete the OEC course, you must attend an annual OEC refresher each fall hosted by our patrol. Normally, there is no charge for these refreshers.
2. Candidates who are currently certified EMTs, paramedics, nurses, or doctors may be able to "challenge" the OEC course but must still take the practical course final. More information on this course challenge may be provided.
3. All candidates must be certified in two-rescuer CPR (American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer or American Heart Association equivalent). Appropriate CPR courses are sometimes offered in conjunction with OEC courses, but not always. However, suitable courses are available through your local chapter of the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. These certifications must be renewed annually (typically a 4-hour course) and there is a fee.
4. Two of the training days are devoted to OEC training in the snow, during which the principles learned in the OEC course are applied in realistic conditions, on the snow. Candidates learn TBSP-specific OEC skills such as a webbing-strapped backboard and use of a Kendrick Traction Device (KTD).
5. As a candidate, you are required to take the NSP Basic Avalanche and Basic Mountaineering courses, both of which are taught by TBSP. Upon completion, you will receive NSP certification in these two disciplines. In Basic Avalanche training you will attend classroom and field sessions in which you will learn snow science and avalanche fundamentals, dig snow pits and use transceivers or beacons. In Basic Mountaineering training (which for TBSP's purposes includes material beyond the NSP requirements), you will attend classroom and field sessions including a mandatory overnight in the snow. Topics include emergency fire building and shelter construction, use of white-gas stoves, use of map and compass and map coordinate systems, radio communications, construction and use of rescue toboggans, low-angle rope rescue techniques, field repairs of equipment, knots, helicopter procedures, limited search and rescue techniques, equipment cache utilization, and incident leadership. The Basic Avalanche and Basic Mountaineering training days are partially combined, for a total of eight days, of which 1½ are in a classroom and 6½ are in the field.
6. By the time you are fully trained, you should be able to competently handle any backcountry emergency. The one-day, scenario-based, final OEC examination on the snow, which all candidates must complete successfully to become patrollers, will require you to use most of the skills learned in your training.

Skiing Ability

Candidates must be able to ski proficiently at a strong intermediate or better level on backcountry equipment (telemark, backcountry touring, or randonee) in a variety of conditions. For freeheel skiers, a strong telemark turn is desirable but not required. We patrol in both intermediate and advanced backcountry terrain, and candidates will be assigned to terrain matched to their skiing ability. A ski test will be held in the spring prior to, or the winter of their candidate year to assess all candidates' abilities. We are now beginning to accept backcountry snowboarders as candidates, based on ability and experience level. Snowboarders will be required to be in very good physical condition, as they must be able to keep reasonable pace with ski-bound patrollers on climbs and on the flats while on snowshoes or short skis.

Required Equipment

• Skiers:
  • Skis (preferably metal edged, with climbing skins (recommended) if not waxless)
  • Poles (preferably adjustable avalanche probes)
  • Boots (substantial high-cut leather or plastic)
• Snowboarders:
  • Snowboard ("Split Decision" board would be ideal, allowing split sections of the board to be used as short skis)
  • Snowshoes or short skis w/skins or scales (for climbs or flat sections; post-holing is not allowed)
  • Poles (for uphill or technical travel; preferably adjustable avalanche probes)
• Moderate size backpack (2500-4000 cu.in., depending on your size. Enough capacity to carry the equipment on this list, your personal gear (lunch, water, etc.) and a few items of patrol gear. A Dana Designs Bomb Pack is a good example of the size and type of pack many patrollers use. Snowboarders must have a pack with attachments or straps for securing the snowboard during climbs) Small but specialized first aid kit (list of contents to follow; required for candidates with OEC training only)
• Sled hauling kit (we can supply for $20.00) containing:
  • 17 ft. length of 1" tubular webbing
  • 20 ft. length of 6 mm accessory cord
  • 2 locking carabiners
  • small stuff sack for above items
• Good compass (Silva Ranger Type 15CL or Suunto MC ID Professional)
• Headlamp (we can supply at cost if you don't have one)
• Small (5 x 7) tarp with grommets (REI has one for about $10)
• full-length ensolite foam pad
• SAM splint (we can supply for $10; required for candidates with OEC training only)
• 4-6 USGS 7.5-minute maps of the areas patrolled (we can supply for $4 per map)
• TBSP Patroller's manual ($5)
• NSP Ski Patroller's Manual ($12)
• Avalanche transceiver (every serious backcountry skier should own one of these. We can supply a transceiver for your use during the first season, but expect that you will purchase one by the beginning of your second season. We can obtain Ortovox F1 Focus transceivers for about $200.)

Dues and Candidate Fees

Membership dues for candidates and patrollers for the 2008-2009 season are $90.00, which includes $60.00 in National Ski Patrol dues, and Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol dues which were $30.00. Candidates must pay an additional fee (avalanche and mountaineering class fee) for the first season. This fee is for the use or purchase of TBSP Patroller's Manual, avalanche and mountaineering texts, a training equipment use fee, and a patroller's pin which will be awarded upon successful completion of candidate training and service.

In their first season, candidates must pay $160 for training equipment in addition to the regular dues. This is due by November 1 prior to the season start. There is a late registration fee of $10 assessed after this date. Upon receipt of the payment, candidates are sent the manual and training texts in preparation for the fall training courses.

The last day to sign up as a candidate for the 2008-2009 season is November 1.

Benefits

TBSP Patrollers are entitled to certain benefits, including medical coverage and equipment discounts.

Medical Benefits

The U.S. Forest Service provides candidates and patrollers with worker's compensation medical benefits for injuries suffered while engaged in field training or patrolling. By comparison very few alpine patrols are offered such benefits.

Equipment Discounts

Once you successfully complete your candidacy and pay your dues for the next season, you will be eligible for pro- form discounts on equipment. The equipment must be for the member's personal use, and must be purchased through the Patrol. Discounts vary by manufacturer and item, but we have had excellent discounts (30- 50% off retail) from many first-class companies, including Asolo, Merrill, Tua, Leki, Lifelink, Dana, Gregory, Lowe, Mountain Hardwear, Mountainsmith, Spyderco, NorthFace, NiteRider, MSR, Outdoor Research and others. We normally place orders twice a year.

Alternative pro-form discounts may be offered from year to year, with differing requirements on ordering method, timing, manufacturers involved, and discount offered.

Benefits of National Ski Patrol Membership

As a member of the National Ski Patrol System, you will be eligible to purchase items from the NSP catalogue, many of which are offered at a discount. You will also receive a subscription to Ski Patrol magazine; each issue is full of informative articles on first aid and emergency care, skiing techniques, and more.