If you are reading this page and are not already a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol, chances are, you may be thinking about joining the Canadian Ski Patrol (CSP) sometime in the near future. Here is some straight forward information for you to consider so that you have a sense of time (and money) you will be committing.
With registration, patrollers will receive:
- Advanced First Aid training
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) with Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) training
- A medical kit provided in a bum bag
- The electronic version of the Canadian Ski Patrol Manual which includes First Aid, Operations, and Administration materials
- On-Hill training at one of the seven ski resorts located in the Kawartha Zone where you have selected to patrol
The Canadian Ski Patrol offers you Advanced First Aid (AFA) training that is certified by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WISB). What this means for you is that you are receiving a course that must meet specific standards one of those being 60 hours of instruction. In order to prepare you for the slopes, classroom instruction for new patrollers begins the second week in September.
Your biggest initial commitment is attending the AFA course that runs one night per week (3 hours per night) for 13 weeks. This instruction is dedicated to Advanced First Aid. Much of the course is practical and hands on. Be prepared to set aside time to complete the required reading from the manual as well. The final weeks of the course are dedicated to consolidating the skills you have learned by applying them in a number of possible scenarios. The AFA course concludes with testing a series of skill sets, a diagnostic, and a multiple choice examination.
Remember, your instructors are dedicated to ensuring you are ready and able to meet the standards required by the course. A one day CPR – AED courses is offered on specific weekends during the fall. This training is a yearly requirement for all patrollers. When completed, you are certified with CPR Level HCP (Health Care Provider).
My first year on patrol has been completed. What is my long term commitment for training and patrolling?
Well, you have your jacket and your bum bag and some great experiences after the first year. You have also met a lot of good people who share your passion for skiing and boarding and a commitment to serving the public. I already mentioned that CPR-AED training is a yearly requirement. You have a familiarity with your resort and how patrol works. A lot of ground has been covered in one short year.
Second year patrollers are required to take a seven week refresher course offered in the fall. This includes reviewing important skill sets and testing. Patrollers with more than two years of experience typically take a refresher course that is conducted over a weekend plus the mandatory one day CPR-AED certification. After a couple of years, some patrollers decide to join the instructor ranks.
Many patrollers bring other skill sets to patrol including accounting, programming, fundraising, photography, and leadership to name but a few. Others are looking to gain new experiences and build their resume. As I said early on, patrolling is a lot more than skiing and boarding. Patrolling is serious fun and I do hope you’ll consider joining our team.
