AMN13 comes to Valley Forge

The NSP Eastern Division will hold its fall seminar and refresher for Avalanche, Mountain Travel & Rescue, and  Nordic (AMN) instructors and evaluators on the weekend of September 20 to 22, 2013, in Valley Forge National Historic Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

The event is registered with NSP as Nordic, MTR, and Avalanche 1 Instructor Continuing Education Clinics.

Visit the AMN13 website.

Mountain Rescue Training

The New York Times published a report, "Keeping a Mountain Rescue Team on Its Game," which illustrates the field training exercises of Mountain Rescue-Aspen. You can view the entire article and slide show here.
 

Enhancement Seminar: Low-Angle Rope Rescue

This Mountain Travel & Rescue Enhancement Seminar reinforces the skills needed to rig and operate low angle rope rescue systems. The ski patroller shall master an understanding of the theory behind the science of rope rescue and the ability to apply that knowledge. The Instructor of Record is Matt Speier.

Download the course flyer and registration information.

AMN Seminar in New York State

The Avalanche, Mountain Travel & Rescue, and Nordic instructors of the NSP Eastern Division will meet at Highland Forest Park, Fabius, New York over the weekend of September 14-16.

For more information, visit the website.

New MTR Manual due in October

A new Mountain Travel and Rescue manual is scheduled for release October first. Many new features have been added to this second edition.

For details, visit the website of The Mountaineers, publishers.

National Association for Search and Rescue

The National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) is a national education association which offers training, certification, and advocacy for search and rescue professionals. Its interests include search management, incident command, basic water rescue, tracking, and wilderness medicine. NASAR is dedicated to the advancement of preparedness and skills; the development of improved equipment; and the standardization of equipment, skills and procedures.

 The NSP Board of Directors adopted a resolution providing for mutual cooperation with and support of the National Association for Search and Rescue. The NSP has a representative on NASAR's Program Advisory Board for wilderness medicine programs.

Visit NASAR's website for more information.

Patroller Education Conference 2012

The 2012 Patroller Education Conference will be held April 12 – 14, 2012, at Copper Mountain, Colorado. The program includes Avalanche and Mountain Travel & Rescue clinics and a presentation about the Nordic Master program. You can register online for the Patroller Education Conference, all the clinics, and lessons. Get started by reading the brochure, studying the program, and signing up at PEC12. See the reminder from Christine Albertson.
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FEMA Online Course: Introduction to the Incident Command System

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offers many independent-study, online courses, some of which are appropriate for patrollers. Jonathan Shefftz's   Avalanche and MTR1 courses require completion of FEMA's Introduction to the Incident Command System as a prerequisite to course admission.

Following is FEMA's course description:

ICS 100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Primary Audience:
Persons involved with emergency planning, response or recovery efforts.
Course Length:
Approximately 3 hours.

• Emergency Management Institute (EMI)

• Independent Study Program (ISP) Course List

• ISP FAQs

• Get started

AMN Seminar and Refresher

The Avalanche, Mountain Travel & Rescue, and Nordic instructors of the NSP Eastern Division will meet again at Northfield Mountain. The event will take place in Northfield, Massachusetts, Friday to Sunday, September 16-18.

For more information, visit the website.

AMN Meeting a Success

The Eastern Division's Avalanche, Mountain Travel & Rescue, and Nordic instructors and supervisors enjoyed a productive meeting and skills refresher at Ski Big Bear in Eastern Pennsylvania, on the weekend of September 17-19.

CRREL Report

The Eastern Division successfully held a Continuing Education Winter Sciences and Survival Seminar at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, NH. Approximately 58 Avalanche, MTR, and Nordic instructors attended. Topics presented included emergency sled (Sked) use and construction, avalanche forecasting, treatment of cold-related injuries and hypothermia, cold weather clothing design and construction, and rescue techniques.

Introduction to Avalanche Safety & Rescue and Level 1 Avalanche for Rescue Personnel

Introduction to Avalanche Safety & Rescue and Level 1 Avalanche for Rescue Personnel course will be offered in two parts:

• Fall at Northfield Mountain, Massachusetts, November 14, 2010
• Winter, March 4 – 5, 2011

Emphases on pre-course preparation, backcountry travel, and rescue. Pre-course homework required.

For more information visit:
avycourse.blogspot.com

Fall AMN Refresher Announced

After meeting three years at Northfield Mountain, the Avalanche, Mountain Travel & Rescue, and Nordic instructors of the NSP Eastern Division have moved to a new venue. The AMN annual refresher will take place at Ski Big Bear, Mast Hope Mountain, in Eastern Pennsylvania, Friday to Sunday, September 17-19.

For more information, visit the website.

Orion Fluorescent Dye Marker

Sprinkle this orange powder, and its fluorescein dye will turn snow a bright, fluorescent green. Write on the snow, draw an arrow or whatever. It's an excellent signal for rescuers to note your location. This handy product from Orion will be visible from a distance: a great aid for rescue.

Available from REI, West Marine, and Barre Army-Navy.

2009 International Technical Rescue Symposium

The 2009 International Technical Rescue Symposium welcomes rescue personnel from many disciplines: mountain rescue, military, park services, and outdoor recreation. The program includes new advances in equipment, medical issues, and technique.

The event is sponsored by Pigeon Mountain Industries, CMC Rescue Incorporated, and others.

November 5 – 8, 2009
Pueblo, Colorado

Download the brochure in Adobe Acrobat format here.

Personal Locator Beacons

Technology is finding its way into the backcountry: the avalanche beacon, GPS receiver, cellphone, and personal locator beacon (PLB). The media have reported the use of personal locator beacons in dramatic and successful rescues but at least one instance of their abuse. Some experts have expressed concern that the devices will encourage over-reliance on their use.


ACR Electronics manufactures most of the units available in the United States. The devices are pricey but can be rented from PLB Rentals.

The New York Times recently published an article about PLBs.

Winter Aware

Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team presents this 45-minute video about snowsport safety. Winter Aware emphasizes planning, survival, and avalanche awareness. Exciting action footage includes avalanches and actual accidents in real time. Interviews with seasoned riders and skiers highlight this 2002 film.

Available in DVD and VHS formats at no charge to ski patrols. For more information, visit the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team website.

Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol

The January-February 2007 issue of Cross Country Skier Magazine features Becky Lomax’s article on the Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol in Montana.

“Midnight Glamour: Flathead Nordic Patrol isn’t about Cruising Trails” describes the patrol’s role in backcountry searches and rescues. Its 28 patrollers cover ground inaccessible by motorized vehicles, responding to a variety of emergencies. The patrol and individual members have garnered national awards.

Cross Country Skier magazine appeals to the nordic enthusiast with news, reviews, and articles covering equipment, waxing, technique, training, competition, and more. We keep a copy in our patrol room.