For the first time in its 86-year history, the National Ski Patrol (NSP) is expanding its credentialing to include working patrollers with current first responder certifications. Now, patrollers with Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications can become NSP members without going through an Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course.

NSP hopes to grow its membership base by recognizing the training and experience of EMTs and WFRs. This could also expand the pool of qualified ski patrollers for hire.

“This new membership class offers NSP membership to more working patrollers nationwide. They will have qualified access to member benefits, educational resources, and support,” Stephanie Cox, CEO of the NSP, said in a press release. “This expansion reflects NSP’s commitment to inclusion and to new considerations in our ever-changing industry.”

What Does It Take to Become a Ski Patroller?

Most ski patrol units require patrollers to have active first aid, CPR, and AIARE 1 (Avy 1) avalanche safety certifications, as well as to complete an Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET) test and an OEC course. Some ski patrol units have different requirements than others, though. Cox said the OEC course is not a necessary certification to patrol, but it is the industry’s most widely used.

Previously, any working ski patroller who wanted to become a member of NSP needed to have an OEC certification. If a patrol unit wanted NSP membership, all its patrollers needed that cert as well.

The program was developed in the 1980s to train patrollers for the unique medical challenges ski mountains present. It trains people on safe and effective patient care, stabilization, and extrication in outdoor environments. The course has advanced and evolved as medical practices have changed over the years.

NSP’s OEC course typically takes 80 to 120 hours. It combines self-study, hands-on practice, and an online exam. The course costs $150 through NSP, as well as $100 annual membership dues.

“It’s comparable to a basic EMT course, but with more emphasis on trauma and extrication in outdoor environments,” Cox said. “The OEC refresher is required yearly to maintain certification.”

Now, though, that certification can be substituted with an EMT or WFR certification to get NSP membership. Cox said this change goes into effect immediately.

“With today’s announcement, EMT and WFR credentials bypass the need to take the OEC course,” she said.

To become an NSP member patrol without OEC certification, a patrol leader can simply contact NSP and request to join as an Associate Patrol.

NSP: Listening, Responding to the Industry

The NSP was founded in 1938 by Charles M. (Minnie) Dole and has since provided standardized training and resources for ski patrollers and patrol units around the U.S. According to the organization, it has over 630 patrols and 30,000 members under its umbrella today.

Membership with the NSP comes with different benefits depending on the membership type. Patrollers can get pro deals on equipment, free access to the first responder cell network FirstNet, industry job postings, training and free course refreshers, grants, and professional and leadership development opportunities, among other benefits.

The goal and Cox’s hope for these changes to the National Ski Patrol’s membership requirements is to provide ski areas with more options for its patrols. This could open up more benefits for its patrollers and even expand the number of ski patrollers available to hire. 

“I recognized that ski areas are looking to incorporate people with different credentials to be part of their ski patrols,” Cox said. “I kept asking the question, why can’t we be a ski patrol organization for all patrols and include patrollers with other credentials? And that question launched this process.”

It’s a move NSP is making after long conversations with ski patrol units across the country and listening to what they need, Cox said. NSP is very conscious of the industry’s direction and is responding to it.