With the arrival of On Scene, the Journal of Outdoor Emergency Care Summer 2006 our refresher season is upon us. Inside On scene is your Refresher Study Guide for CYCLE B. With timely and informative articles, On Scene seeks to expand your OEC knowledge, especially that which pertains to our upcoming refreshers. The Study Guide provides an intriguing and historical glimpse into the evolution of patrolling. A must read.

If you did not receive your On Scene copy you can download the Study Guide from the NSP web site. Our upcoming MLR refreshers are a very important time of the year for use as practitioners of First Aid and Rescue as we hone and improve our skills so we can provide the patrol we serve with the best and most professional care possible.

Our Refreshers provide:

1. A complete training experience with challenges and a variety of supporting events not to be missed.
2. An OEC review to fulfill our ongoing goal of continuous quality improvement in the care we provide our injured guest as we will review one-third of the total OEC content as a basic requirement to continue as an OEC technician at this year’s refresher.
3. Hands-on practice in a variety of realistic scenarios.
4. A time for reflection and thorough discussion.
5. A challenging environment with no fear of failure, but rather a willingness to attempt new skills to improve your level of care.
6. A social event to “catch up” with our patrol family and introduce new members. Our refreshers are to be a time for hands-on interaction and review, idea sharing, and the introduction of new OEC information.

Think training! Think Involvement!! Think about your own contribution to the 2006/07 Patrol Season on your hill and to the MLR OEC program!

The MLR has a total of 138 outstanding OEC Instructors. 57 of these exceptional OEC Instructors are completing a 3 year cycle this year. They are to be honored for their outstanding service to our patrols and to the MLR. Thank you for a job well done.

You are invited to become an OEC Instructor within the MLR and join our excellent group of OEC Instructors. Nothing is more important to the success of our NSP's education programs than our core group of our hard-working instructors who deliver our programs. If you would like to become an OEC instructor please talk to your Patrol Coordinator or an OEC Instructor you know and they can assist you with the process.

MLR Senior Emergency Management clinics/evaluations will take place three times this winter in the Mother Lode Region. The first is on Saturday, February 24 at Soda Spring. Our second event will be held on Sunday, March 25 at Prospector. The third and final event of the season will be held Saturday March 31, 2007 at Sierra Summit.

Over the past several years, the level of expertise of our senior candidates has risen considerably. One of my goals is to help inspire each OEC Technician beyond the Candidate level within the MLR to consider participating in Senior Emergency Management. SEM offers tremendous and positive value to a patroller by becoming a more proficient and capable rescuer to the injured guest they are on scene with and an introduction to the Senior Program.

There is a lot of pre-clinic work to be completed for SEM and it includes practicing OEC scenarios, demonstrating basic first aid skills and responding and elaborating on written scenarios. Senior paperwork must be signed off by your patrol representative and an OEC instructor and all tasks completed BEFORE you can participate in a SEM event. Senior paperwork is available in the “downloads” section of the NSP website (you have to log in, and then go to “my bookshelf” to get there). For easier access, go to the bottom of this page.

Spend some time reading your On Scene Journal and complete the “You Are the Rescuer" Scenario sections from your study guide before your OEC refresher, enjoy your days on the hill and I will look forward to seeing you at an OEC event this winter.

Submitted by Tony Atkins, MLR OEC Regional Advisor.