Toboggan Handling (OET) Module​ - Certified

Module Overview

The Toboggan Handling Module is designed to examine the Certified Candidate’s ability to navigate highly technical advanced or expert terrain confidently, safely, and efficiently. It consists of 3 components:
  1. Empty Toboggan
  2. Loaded Toboggan
  3. Loaded Toboggan Skills
The module has two (2) prerequisites that need to be completed before the Candidate is eligible to participate in the Annual Exam:
  1. Complete the “Certified Candidate Sponsor/Pretest Registration form” found at: www.nspeast.org and present this to the ED Certified OET Chair, or their designee, at the pretest.
  2. Attend and successfully pass an ED Certified OET Pretest. The Pretest is a condensed version of the annual Certified OET Exam Module geared to evaluate the Candidate’s current abilities and demonstrates whether the Candidate has a reasonable expectation of passing the module at the Annual Exam.
Component Details

The Pretest and the Annual Exam will be held mostly on advanced and expert terrain (groomed, ungroomed, and moguls). Pre- and post- runners (NSP or qualified PSPA Certified members) will be used for demonstrations at both the pre-test and the annual exam to:
  • Act as a visual example of successful or unsuccessful ability to blend the Ski, Telemark, or Snowboard Fundamentals listed below while handling a toboggan.
  • Demonstrate to the Examiners how an NSP or qualified PSPA certified member selects and navigates the chosen line(s), conditions, tempo, terrain difficulty, and length of the run.
Loaded Sled
  • Demonstrate the ability to use a combination of varying patroller skill maneuvers and technical toboggan fundamentals, as appropriate to the terrain and conditions, providing safe and effective transport of the rider.
  • Demonstrate a high blend of technical ability allowing the toboggan to travel fluid-like, down the fall line, at a consistent speed of descent.
  • Show active chain management and communication throughout the length of the run.
  • During this run, the ED Certified OET module chair will provide a Certified or approved PSPA Certified member to run tail.
    • Terrain: Advanced or expert terrain with moguls.
Empty Sled
  • Demonstrate the ability to use a combination of varying patroller skills, toboggan maneuvers and lines as appropriate to the terrain and conditions.
  • Demonstrate a high blend of technical ability allowing the toboggan to travel fluid-like, down the fall line with consistent speed for the descent and minimal slipping and bouncing.
    • Terrain: Advanced or expert terrain with moguls.
Loaded Toboggan Sled
  • Demonstrate the ability to use a combination of varying patroller skills, toboggan maneuvers and lines as appropriate to the terrain and conditions.
  • Demonstrate a high blend of technical ability by having a consistent speed, use of the terrain, and selecting an appropriate route.
  • Through effective blending of the Technical Fundamentals, the Candidate will ensure safe transport of the rider while navigating a set course, demonstrating minimal slipping, and descent without abrupt starts or stops.
  • A typical “set course” is 5 gates, then a 30-foot corridor, another 5 gates, another 30-foot corridor, ending with an emergency stop at a gate.
  • Candidate will navigate around the gates, and into the corridors, and while in each of the corridors the Candidate will be expected to perform a minimum of three (3) moving changes in direction (traditional transitions or pivot slips).
  • During this run, the Eastern Division Certified OET Program will provide a Certified or qualified PSPA Certified member to run tail rope.
    • Terrain: Advanced or expert terrain with moguls.
Scoring Criteria and Critical Indicators
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Scoring Criteria
Exam scores correlate with the technical fundamentals as per the scale listed below and are used to examine each component in the module.

Technical Fundamentals:
5= Not Present (NP)
6= Beginning to Appear (BA)
7= Appears, not with consistency (NC)
8= Appears frequently, at a satisfactory level (FQ)
9= Consistently above the required level (CS)
10= Continuously at a superior level (CT)

A successful Candidate will need a minimum cumulative score of 144, compiled from each of the 3 components. To compile scores, the highest and lowest Examiner scores for each Candidate, in each component, will be eliminated leaving 6 Examiner scores to be totaled.

For example:
  • 6 scores x 8 (minimum passing score to be successful) = 48 points x 3 events = 144 points

The minimum passing score from any one Examiner in all components is an 8. It is possible for aCandidate to score low (7 or lower) in one event and high (9 or above) in another examined component and still be successful in this module if the total cumulative score is 144 or more.

Critical Indicators

A successful Candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to blend the following four (4) technical Toboggan Fundamentals, during each examined component:
  • Employ sound judgment to ensure the safety of the toboggan handlers, passengers and public.
  • Use a blend of technical fundamentals, along with chain/rope management, to control the speed and direction of the toboggan.
  • Use route selection and other tactical skills to optimize the path of the toboggan to safely arrive at a scene or transport a patient.
  • Employ appropriate communication between toboggan handlers, passengers and the public.