Training Details

The Mt. Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol requires a high standard of first aid proficiency to be maintained by its members at all times. This is done by continually training both our new and current volunteer ski patrollers. The organization requires and accepts both Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) and Occupational First Aid Level 3 (OFA3) certification when combined with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Level C (CPR-C - renewed yearly). Further training is provided to alleviate differences in protocol between the two systems by borrowing from which ever method is deemed better for our specific environment in which we provide first aid and pre-hospital care.

The Patrol also seeks out specialized training, courses and certificates to promote best practices among the membership and to provide a range of skills upon which the organization can build. Sometimes, the specialized training opportunities can be offered to the public as well as patrol with the aim to promote winter and outdoor safety.

For further information on the different certificates, where to obtain training and other ways to develop your skills, please refer to the links and the Upcoming Training Events section listed below:

St.John's Ambulance

Locations:
Nanaimo Branch: 425 Madsen Road, Nanaimo, BC, (250)741-0102
Victoria Branch: 941 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC, (250)388-5505
Comox Valley: 2nd Floor 463-5th St, Courtenay, BC, (250)897-1098
Campbell River: 170 Dogwood St, Campbell River, BC, (250)287-4627

Courses Offered:
OFA 3: Occupational First Aid - Level 3
CPR-C: CPR - Level C

Additional Links:
Other S.J.A. Locations in BC

North Island College

Locations:
Comox Valley: 2300 Ryan Road, Courtenay, BC, (250)334-5000
Campbell River: 1685 S.Dogwood St, Campbell Riv, BC, (250)923-9700
Toll Free: 1-800-715-0914 within BC

Courses Offered:
OFA 3: Occupational First Aid - Level 3
CPR-C: CPR - Level C

Additional Links:
NIC First Aid Page
NIC Course Selection
Slipstream First Aid

Locations:
Mt. Washington, Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Canmore, Golden etc...

Courses Offered:
WFA: Wilderness First Aid 90 hr & Wilderness First Aid 50 h
CPR-C: CPR level C (A is also available)

Additional Links:
http://www.wildernessfirstaid.ca

UPCOMING TRAINING EVENTS:

First year checklists: First year patrol members get signed off on the section of the checklist they do on each day with a senior patroller ie ropes, knots, t-bog etc. The senior patroller puts his/her patrol # and signs his/her name by each tick box. If a tick box does not have a patrol # and signature or name then the skill will not be acknowledged.

All senior patrol members can train the First Year Patrol members and sign the checklists.

After all the checklist is ticked off the first year patrol member brings their checklist to one of the 12 designated trainers and reviews his or her form with them. The 12 designated trainers with final signoff authority are:

Gord Munroe, Brad MacIver, Martin Wong, Tim Baker, Glenn Rumley, Andy Brown, Mike Vathieur, Paul Vroom, Doc Crawford, Lynn Patterson, Derick Dixon and Dave Hutton.

Only the 12 designated trainers have the final say as directed by the board of directors for legal liability.

First Year patrol members still need to patrol with a senior patroller whenever possible or a senior paid patroller for the remainder of the season.

Thank you to all patrol members who have helped out so far; we couldn't do the first year training without you.