The Winter Opportunist
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Official Publication of the National Ski Patrol nsp.org + Summer 2017 + Volume 34 Issue 3 WBR DOG SCHOOL THE BEST JOB The Winter Opportunist Nano-Air® Hoody: The warm, stretchy, breathable, cold-weather opportunist When the mercury dips, then drops, the only cold that should force you inside should involve a box of tissues and some heavy-duty decongestants. For everything else, there’s the Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody, a soft, stretchy, revolutionary layer that’ll keep you comfortable (not roasting) during stop-and-go winter missions. Whether you’re skinning like a dog, postholing up a couloir or charging powder, it’s as ready as you are for any winter opportunity. The Nano-Air Hoody is a part of Patagonia’s Opportunist Collection: essential, enduring pieces for any kit, any activity. Patagonia is an official supplier to the National Ski Patrol (NSP) and offers NSP members pro pricing on Patagonia gear. To shop, just visit nsp.org and click on the Patagonia logo within the Pro Deals section of Member Services. PATAGONIA.COM/OPPORTUNIST Benny the powder hound drafts Jasmin Caton as she breaks trail at Valhalla Mountain Touring. British Columbia. KEN ETZEL © 2016 Patagonia, Inc . Mark Welsh p: Sage Cattabriga-Alosa Introducing the Quantum. Aerocore™ construction featuring Koroyd® for the ultimate protection. The experience is everything.™ NSP.ORG 3 THE BEST 32 JOB BY KIM KIRCHER Having patrolled at Crystal Mountain in Washington for many years, Kim Kircher was appointed patrol director in March S 2016. She discusses her many years of experience and what she has tried to do as the director, and how being a woman has RE informed those decisions. U CANINE 46 CHAMPS BY CANDACE HORGAN The biennial Wasatch Backcountry FEAT Rescue International Dog School brings together dogs and dog handlers from resorts all over the country for a week of intense training and learning. Admis- sion to the school is highly competitive, and that’s for a reason. DEPARTMENTS 08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 10 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 12 CONTRIBUTORS 14 BULLETINS 15 DIVISION NEWS 66 AVALANCHE 75 INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT 78 MTR 81 NORDIC 83 OEC 86 OET 87 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 88 WOMEN’S 92 IN MEMORIAM 98 OUT OF BOUNDS 4 NSP.ORG ARTI CLE 26 THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR S BY DAVE CLEVELAND In his column, Dave Cleveland will interview a patrol director to discuss some of the challenges facing that director’s patrol and how the patrol meets those challenges. This month, he interviews Squaw Valley Patrol Director Curtis Crooks. 29 (NOT) INNOCUOUS CONVERSATIONS BY DAVE BYRD Media relations aren’t always easy to navigate, especially with hidden cameras that media use to inflate potentially damaging statements. 60 FAMILY FUN BY KATHY MEGYERI Patrolling can have a significantly positive effect not only on the patrollers themselves, but on their families and their DEPARTMENTS relationships. 64 EDUCATION REPORT BY SHEILA SUMMERS NSP’s strategic plan incorporates several objectives that relate to NSP education programs. We show how course development is aligning with these objectives. Cover photo: Andre Gonsalves. Photo (left): Miles Morris. Photo (above): Candace Horgan. NSP.ORG 5 Editor Governance Committee Candace Horgan Brian Rull, Chair [email protected] IT Committee Advertising/Sponsorships Chris Pringle, Chair Melanie Hood [email protected] Nominations Committee Ed McNamara, Chair Design and Production Agnieszka Hansen NSAA/Ski Area Relations Committee [email protected] Bill Sinykin, Chair Contributors OEC Refresher Committee Myron Allen, Dale Atkins, Linda Barthel, Scott Bill Devarney, Chair Brockmeier, Dave Byrd, Dave Cleveland, Bob Cowen, Planning Committee Thomas Dahbura, Andrew Dangler, Bill Gibson, Doug Mike Huber, Chair Hill, David Johe M.D., Joy Jucker, Kim Kircher, Kathy Megyeri, Jeff Paston, Heidi Honegger Rogers, Nancy National Program Directors Stromswold, Sheila Summers, Tanya Thomas, John Myron Allen: Mountain Travel and Rescue Topping, Jon Wilson, Dick Woolf, Jay Zedak Marc Barlage: Transportation Chris Brodersen: Certified NSP National Chair Ed Carlson: Avalanche Jim Woodrum Deb Endly: OEC Doug Ginley: Instructor Development NSP Board of Directors Rick Shandler: Nordic Keith Cassidy, John (Ty) Damon, Mike Huber, Rick Knight, Ken Kramer, Josh Mazur, Ed McNamara, National Alumni Adviser Chris Pringle, Brian Rull, Bill Sinykin, David Walker, Marty Huebner Jim Woodrum, Jay Zedak National Awards Adviser NSP Division Directors Bill Boulter Richard Davis, Liz Dodge, Bill Gibson, National Historian Kevin Johnson, John Kane, John Larson, Chris Ross, Rick Hamlin Julie Rust, Micaela Saeftel, John Thomas, Byrd White National Legal Adviser Robert Scarlett Audit Committee Keith Cassidy, Chair National Medical Adviser David Johe, M.D. Bylaws/Oversight Committee Les Megyeri, Chair National Telecommunications Adviser Education Committee Dick Woolf David Walker, Chair National Visitor Exchange Finance Committee Program Adviser Rick Knight, Chair Bob Black Fundraising Committee National Women’s Adviser Brian Rull, Chair Linda Barthel National Young Adult Adviser Paul Tourangeau National Office Staff Rick Knight Mackenzie Barnett Interim Executive Director Member Services Specialist Sheila Summers Rachel Crane Education Director Marketing and Events Manager Bill Finley Andre Gonsalves Finance Director Brand and Marketing Specialist Melanie Hood Carol Hudson Marketing and Development Director Customer Care Candace Horgan Kristen Pilkington Communications Manager Education Records Specialist Juliann Hudson Rob Wilcox Senior Accountant Warehouse Supervisor Josh Jacobson Stephanie Zavislan Catalog Sales and Operations Director Staff Accountant Cheri Overton Alumni and Awards Manager The National Ski Patrol is the premier provider of training and education programs for emergency rescuers who serve the outdoor recreation community. Ski Patrol Magazine is an official publication of the National Ski Patrol and is published three times per year. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the National Ski Patrol. Address changes and subscription inquiries should be sent to Ski Patrol Magazine, 133 S. Van Gordon St., Suite 100, Lakewood, CO 80228-1700. Association members can also indicate a change of address online through the member services area at www.nsp.org. For NSP member services, dial 303-988-1111. Please send editorial queries, comments, and letters to [email protected]. 6 NSP.ORG WWW.YAKIMA.COM SKIS AND SNOWBOARDS EXTRA GEAR FatCat SkyBox Top of car solution capable of safely carrying 4 pairs of skis & 2 A handy year round solution. Fill it with skis & boards or wet snowboards, or 6 pairs of skis and 4 snowboards. clothes and boots, you choose. FAT BIKES Use your NSP pro discount at NSP.org TwoTimer Ideal for carrying fat bikes when paired with FatStraps (sold separately) Yakima is a registered trademark of Yakima Products, Inc. LETTERS to the Editor Cold-weather injuries: further info Dear NSP, ed. note — Dr. Johe responds: A lot has been published recently about hypothermia. I I just finished reading an article in the summer magazine, “Cold- appreciate Elizabeth’s comments. Obviously, hospital-based weather Injuries,” by David Johe, M.D. (Ski Patrol Magazine, vol. care is needed as soon as possible for severe hypothermia. 33, issue 3). Of course, working in cold conditions, it is a very appropriate article. However, I am concerned with the part he Core temperature is the best way to measure hypothermia, writes about warming someone up as quickly as possible. but patrollers cannot take an esophageal temperature in the field or patrol room, as this is nearly impossible. Taking a Depending on the circumstances and time, the severity of the rectal temperature in the patrol room is possible, but usually core temperature of the patient may not be known. Given this, not very practical. Oral temperatures do not measure core it is crucial not to warm extremities until the core temperature temperature accurately; therefore, a patroller must judge a is recorded. Further discussion within the article proceeds to patient’s core temperature based on physical findings, such discuss the afterdrop phenomenon. Now, as important as that as shivering and level of responsiveness. A person who is is, I am concerned whether a ski patroller can accurately make still shivering has mild hypothermia. If the patient is still that assessment, causing further harm to the heart by warming responsive and has stopped shivering, there is moderate extremities before the core temperature is known. I am afraid hypothermia. If the person is without respirations and/or a more harm than good could be potentiated. pulse and lost responsiveness, severe hypothermia is present. As an RN, I feel that you are putting too much on ski patrollers Most patients ski patrollers see are mildly or moderately to handle such dire situations as hypothermia. I have recently hypothermic patients. Nearly all present protocols call for listened to a talk on winter emergencies and only bring this up rewarming these patients. as it could definitely bring more harm than good. Also, with the advances in lytic therapy for restoration, it is good to suggest a If someone is severely hypothermic, and immediate hospi- time frame on how long an injury has been cold, as well as if any tal care is not available, most still recommend rewarming. rewarming and refreezing has occurred, which could eliminate Most ski areas do not have access to physician-supervised their ability to receive this therapy. advanced warming techniques such as IV warming, lytic treatment, and other advanced hospital-based protocols. This is just something to think about and maybe follow up on with this article. Although I work at a small hill and stress “pack So in reality, for severe hypothermia, patrollers should imme- them and go” so the ambulance is not waiting for a patient, I diately call for ALS transport and gently start rewarming the know bigger mountains have more time to provide damage con- torso while waiting for the paramedic to transport the patient trol. I just worry the wrong solutions would be obtained before to the hospital.