Proposal For A New Level Of Achievement
In The Nordic Patrol Discipline
It has become evident, during the past few years, that there is a need to have an advanced level of performance in the Nordic Patrol classification. The Nordic Senior designation has served well for many years however there are now a number of Nordic Patrollers who have completed the requirements for the Nordic Senior level and who have developed a higher level of proficiency in knowledge and skill. It is felt that a new designation is needed to recognize the achievements of these patrollers.
Several of the patrollers who have been most active in the Nordic discipline in the last few years, along with some of the current and past leaders of the Mountain Travel and Rescue and the Avalanche Programs, have established a set of requirements that they feel will exemplify the mandates of such a classification.
The Master Nordic Program will be a combined effort of the Nordic, Avalanche and Mountain Travel& Rescue Programs. The Avalanche and MTR Supervisors will be expected to direct their respective disciplines, with the overall program coordination and management residing with the Nordic Supervisor.
Following much discussion we wish to suggest the name of “Eastern Division Nordic Master” be the designation for the patroller who completes the requirements outlined as specified. Should any of the members of the division wish to suggest another term for this a designation, the committee would consider the recommendation.
We propose that the Eastern Division Board of Directors consider official adoption of a certificate of achievement, to be offered to Nordic Patrollers of the Eastern Division and forwarded to the National Board of Directors to be considered for recognition of a new classification of achievement in all divisions of the National Ski Patrol.
Developed by: Greg France, Nordic Advisor, Eastern Division
Butch MacQueen, MTR Program Supervisor, Eastern Division
Peter Snyder, Past Nordic and MTR Supervisor, Eastern Division
Phil Galka, Avalanche Program Supervisor, Eastern Division
Prerequisites Required
1. NSP Nordic Management
Patrol Director: Responsibilities National/Division
Relationships Federal/State & Local Organizations
Relationship with public
The candidate shall have completed one of the following for at least one year:
a. Served as either patrol director or assistant PD of a Nordic patrol for one year
b. Held an advisory position on either a region or division level for one year
c. Shadowed one of the above.
2. Equipment
Ability to technically define & instruct the use of appropriate:
Clothing, Boots, Skis, Poles
Waxing
Daypack
Multi Day Pack
3. Toboggan
Improvised Nordic Toboggan; Construction / Group Instruction
Belays Static, Dynamic & Mechanical
Demonstrate, in area, free heel ski skills equivalent to NSP Alpine Patroller.
4. Ski Skills
All Senior Nordic ski skills reviewed
Seven to ten kilometer timed course. (This is a sustained aerobic exercise. The course
will be set over moderate terrain and is not designed to be a race. Course will be pre- run by two Nordic Senior level patrollers.)
Demonstrate advanced Free Heel ski skills parallel and telemark. Both in area and off
piste.
MTR Module:
1. Demonstrate mastery of land navigation with topographic map and compass.
Map reading – elevation, orient map, declination adjustments, position location.
UTM system
Following a compass route of at least one mile with a minimum of five course changes.
Demonstrates understanding of GPS navigation and its use.
Demonstrates working knowledge of dressing for the conditions.
Candidate must use acceptable equipment and demonstrate adequate knowledge of its use. Skis are required for majority of travel.
Demonstrates proper consideration for environmental concerns.
Sets out with acceptable knowledge of weather developments in given time.
Demonstrates how to use real time observations to make decisions concerning weather changes if needed.
Not less than four hours on trail.
Length to be determined by conditions
Demonstrates proper route selection judgment and hazard awareness.
Overnight bivouac in shelter constructed by candidate to include evaluator.
Must provide safe water for self and evaluator (starting with 2 liters or less).
Must provide fire and warm meal for self and evaluator.
Meal must provide acceptable levels of nutrition and hydration for climatic conditions.
Demonstrate rescue of evaluator
Will require use of emergency sled
Will require use of Z drag or equivalent rope system
Must set up some type of signaling system
For air search as well as land search
Will diagnose and treat one medical emergency and two non-life threatening
injuries, one potentially serious, one minor.
3. Additional requirements
Organize and lead a search and rescue problem. Candidate will demonstrate proper levels of leadership, communication, teamwork, effects of working under stress, and accessing team member abilities. Incident command system (ICS) will be followed.
Avalanche Module:
1. Snow Pit Analysis
Stability Evaluation
Proper use of tools
Hazard Evaluation
Snowpack - Field Tests
Decision Making
2. Travel concepts as applicable to avalanche terrain
Route Safety
Ascending
Crossing
Descending
Route Selection & Safe Travel Procedures and Travel in Avalanche Terrain
Rescue Scenario – Candidate shall lead “untrained” team members (or act solo) in an
immediate rescue of three or more trapped avalanche victims. Two partial burials one complete burial (use dummies where appropriate) - Timed Performance- Evaluators will consider the following factors; Scene Safety, Decision Making, Immediate Search, Witness/Patient and Scene Management, Spot Probing and Strategic Shoveling, Beacon Search/Multiple Beacons, Extrication and Evacuation
3. Organized Search
Understanding of ICS as it applies to Avalanche search
Organization and management of Probe line
Effective skill in transceiver search
Rescue Reporting
4. Additional requirements
Organize and lead a search and rescue problem. Candidate will demonstrate proper levels of leadership, communication, teamwork, effects of working under stress, and accessing team member abilities. Incident command system (ICS) will be followed.
Oral board of review
The candidate shall satisfactorily complete an oral “Board of review” before a minimum of three Nordic Instructor Trainers, preferably with two who are Nordic Masters. Questions will be posed to determine the level of understanding of the Avalanche, Mountain Travel and Rescue program and the Nordic discipline.
Developed by: Greg France, Nordic Advisor, Eastern Division
Butch MacQueen, MTR Program Supervisor, Eastern Division
Peter Snyder, Past Nordic and MTR Supervisor, Eastern Division
Phil Galka, Avalanche Program Supervisor, Eastern Division
Presented May 4, 2007 at the Spring Officer Meeting, Eastern Division, National Ski Patrol