Appendix K: Boreal Patrol

Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol Manual

Overview, Boreal Mountain Resort Protocols

Boreal Patrol Requirement

All TBSP patrollers are required to sign-up and complete one day of ski patrol at Boreal Mountain Resort. Candidates do not sign-up for Boreal ski patrol days.Boreal days are part of a mutual relationship between Boreal Mountain and TBSP, where our patrollers regularly help out with patient volume on their mountain, and TBSP patrollers get the opportunity to work non-backcountry oriented incidents.

Availability

Sign-up days correspond to the Boreal NSP patrol schedule and include weekends and midweek days during holidays. Available days include days outside of the normal TBSP patrol schedule. The Boreal season begins earlier and ends earlier than the TBSP season and the NSP schedule includes extra days during Thanksgiving, Christmas-New Year holiday, and national holidays.

Cancellation

Contact TBSP-Boreal liaison if you need any further information or wish to give some feedback about your Boreal experience by sending email to inter-patrol@tbsp.org

TBSP Vests

NSP red and black vests are REQUIRED during your Boreal exchange. 'There are three NSP patrol vests owned by TBSP that are stored in the First Aid Room in the patient restroom closet.' These have moved from last year and are no longer under the patient bed.

Protocol

1. Arrive at the Boreal First Aid Room fully dressed and in ski or snowboard boots no later then 8:15 AM. Wear a standard red or red and black ski patrol vest or parka with white cross and name tag and carry a stocked first aid belt or first aid supplies in vest pockets.
2. If you bring your skis/snowboard to the First Aid room, leave them in the outside rack. Do not leave skis against the building or on snow near the entrance.
3. Sign your name in the Boreal NSP Binder.
4. Introduce yourself to the NSP Hill Captain for the day. The Hill Captain’s name can be found at the top of the personnel board, listed as “520”. The TBSP patroller adds his or her name to the bottom of the personnel board, below the numbered lines with the byline, “TBSP”. The patroller does not sign-in on a numbered line, because TBSP will not be carrying a radio. The patroller will not sign-up for a rotation as “Standby”. You may post a lunch time, but this is not necessary.
5. The Hill Captain will assign the TBSP patroller with a Boreal patroller for the day.
6. You will not require a lift ticket, because you will be wearing a NSP vest or jacket (no exceptions).
7. You can purchase food in the cafeteria at a 50% discount. (Wear the patrol vest to get the discount)
8. The TBSP patroller shadows and assists the Boreal ski patrol in responding to incidents on the hill. Primarily, the purpose is for TBSP to have experience responding to injuries, however, the patroller might accompany Boreal ski patrol on other incidents such as controlling public who are engaging in dangerous activity (e.g., walking on frozen ponds, sledding on ski trails, skiing out of control), public who need non-injury transport (e.g., unable to ski or ride down the hill due to fear or lack of ski ability).
9. In responding to injured skiers, riders, the TBSP patroller may assist in assessment and treatment and loading the patient for transportation. The patroller may also follow the patient to the First Aid Room and observe or provide additional assistance for treatment and may help Boreal Ski Patrol or the nurse with information they need to complete the Incident Report forms.
10. The TBSP patroller will not participate in the following: responding to incidents injury or non-injury without being accompanied by a Boreal ski patrol, pulling toboggans or handling the tail rope, carrying toboggans uphill on the lift, using a Boreal radio, and completing Incident Reports or other official Boreal forms. This is in addition to other restrictions that may be given by the Patrol Director or the Hill Captain.
11. The TBSP patroller may re-stock supplies that were used from the TBSP first aid belt with equivalent supplies from the First Aid Room. Do not take extra supplies.
12. At the end of the patrol day, the you will sign out of the login binder and store TBSP ski patrol vest in its proper location.
13. It is up to the TBSP patroller to follow these do's and don'ts. Do not expect Boreal patrollers to know your role and do not follow instructions by any patroller to go against TBSP protocol unless directed by the Boreal Pro Patrol director.