Introduction to Patrolling (Patroller 101)

Benefits of Introduction to Patrolling are:

• A registered Patroller 101 course ensures that your patrol's toboggan trainers are covered under the NSP's general liability policy while they instruct your candidates.
• A simple spreadsheet can help you better track your candidates' progress through training.
• Your candidates will received the same messages about important topics as other candidates throughout the country.
• Your candidates will get a well rounded patroller education.
• The training curriculum provides instruction in the fundamental skills needed to perform entry level patrolling duties.

Basic Teaching Modules:

• Risk Management
• Adapting to the Outdoor Environment
• Toboggan Handling
• Scene Management / Incident Command System
• Rope and Belay Skills
• The National Ski Patrol, Ski Area Management, and the Role of the Volunteer Patroller
• Guest Services

'Presented as a modular approach, this course should be supplemented by area-specific training in policy, procedure, practice, and equipment.'

How to get started:

1. Register the course.
   1. Go to www.nsp.org
   2. "Member services" -- log in
   3. "Register a course"
   4. Course type = "Introduction to ski patrolling"
   5. The IOR can be an instructor from any discipline.
2. Have candidates sign a waiver.
   • A copy can be found in the Introduction to Patrolling manual (Intro_to_Ski_Patrolling_manual.pdf), or you can use the NSP Central Division - Release of Liability Form (MS Word 2003, 12/09/2007), or an area-specific waiver.
3. Teach the modules and area specific topics.
   • You can find teaching ideas in the Introduction to Patrolling manual. (Intro_to_Ski_Patrolling_manual.pdf)
4. You can track your candidates progress with a simple spreadsheet.
   • Here is an example: P101_checklist.xls
5. Close the course.
   • Course completion records can be sent to the National Ski Patrol Office by hardcopy or by e-mail.
6. Give the candidates certificates of completion.
   • These will be sent to you when you register the course.

Note: If you wish to use any of the modules as continuing education for current patrollers, it is not necessary to register the course.

Introduction to Patrolling is a great way to introduce your new patrollers to the core aspects of patrolling!

Questions/comments? -- Please e-mail Jeannine Mogan jmogan@threeriversparkdistrict.org

A number of years ago, while Patroller 101 was still in its infancy and considered a pilot program, Jeannine Mogan, Patrol Representative of Hyland Ski Patrol, Minnesota, sat down and created lesson guides for each of the Introduction to Patroller modules. We would like to thank Jeannine Mogan for her contributions. Her work at the beginning layed the groundwork for this important program.

Larry Bost, Former Assistant National Instructor Development Program Director

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