Journal

10/10/10: I went to the mountain today, from 8AM until 3PM for training and re-certification. The whole patrol was present, as we donated our time to make sure our skills were up to date, and we had not developed bad habits over the summer. We went over proper methods to give oxygen, assess triage and mass-casualties, went over procedures to use backboards, and various other necessary skills. This day, although long and strenuous, helped me regain my skills and will help skiers in the future.

10/31/10: Today I had another re-certification session at the mountain from 7AM to 2PM. Today's training included CPR re-certification for infants, youth, and adults, as well as lift evacuation training. I also finalized my schedule for volunteering (Saturday nights) and met with the Shift Supervisor. Although cold, this day proved fruitful because I now feel comfortable serving all the patrons at the mountain.

12/11/10: Today was the first actual shift I pulled. From 2:30 to 9:30 I was on the clock brushing up my skiing skills and taking care of people from the start. Right away there was a boy with a laceration to his leg from his snowboard, and he got sent to the hospital after he was stabilized. Then we got out on the slopes and ran a few runs before we got called in to look at another patient. Typically, there would be a few runs taken, then someone would need to be checked out. Overall, it was a good night; only 2 lacerations from snowboards, one concussion, a broken wrist, and a broken clavicle.

12/18/10: Another shift, 2.30 to 9.30. I re-certified my toboggan skills today, and got great feedback even though it had been a whole year since I had done it last. There were fewer incidents than last week. There were the usual wrist, ankle, headache, nothing too bad. The main problem throughout the night was that people were coming over from the expert slopes right into the beginner slopes scaring and sometimes crashing into beginner skiers. We had to put up poles and fencing to make sure they couldn't fly in, but had to stop and turn. I personally tended to a broken wrist as I was preparing to leave. Good night overall.

12/25/10: Yes, I had to ski on Christmas day. There were a lot of the patrollers missing and many subs were there instead. My shift was still from 2:30 to 9:30. The crowd was larger than expected, mainly because all of the other mountains were closed. Still, there as limited action in the patrol room. There was a large tourist group there that were all beginners, and their main problem was their inexperience. Multiple occasions ski patrol was needed to either escort or assist someone who could not go down the mountain alone. Another crazy turn of events happened for me though; my ski snapped. I got a replacement pair for the night but it was probably the biggest thing that happened that night.

1/1/11: Skied from 230 to 930 again. The slopes weren't crowded because everyone was recovering from New Year's Eve. There were the same old injuries, concussions, wrists, ankles and whatnot. Nothing really to report.

1/8/11: 230 to 930 shift again. I got there early because of the 3 inches of powder at home but was disappointed to see that there was minimal at the mountain. The busiest part of the shift was the very beginning when there were 3 walk-ins at once and no one was really ready. I also had a few walk-ins later that night. The injuries were more uncommon as we had a concussion patient who didn't know he was skiing until he took off his helmet, and we had a few more actual broken bones and not sprains.

Total Volunteer Hours: 49

Reflection: My project was to participate in ski patrol at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, making sure that all people using the resort, and not just the slopes were safe and comfortable. Part of my duty was to help anyone who was hurt, and to have them stabilized for ambulance transportation to Lehigh Valley Hospital. I have to work with many other people ranging in age from a year younger than me (16) to people a lot older. The variance in expertise and experience helps all of us out as we pull together to solve problems. Those of us who have recently passed the course know more about the new medical techniques, while the people who have been in ski patrol for a longer time know how to deal with the stress and panic of the moment.

I set myself a few goals for my time volunteering with ski patrol. I wanted to learn from the expert skiers in the organization about how to ski better, as I wish to become very very good myself one day. The other goal I set myself was even though I may not be comfortable with helping someone, I would want to make sure they stayed calm in a situation that I myself am not calm. I accomplished part of this goal last time because I helped a guy with a broken wrist all alone for my first independent stabilization.

Achieving my first goal is not too hard, as all I have to do is ask a fellow member of my patrol unit that I know has good ski technique to give me a few pointers and to watch me ski. All of the members of my shift are really friendly and have no problem helping me out. The second goal will probably be fully accomplished later in the season when a serious injury comes through the patrol room doors.

I have learned many medical skills throughout my training last year, my re-certification this year, and my actual patrol experience. This will prove very useful later in life as medical knowledge is never unneeded. I also have learned many new skiing skills that I know I would not have known without the patrol. Neither of my parents ski and I have no person with greater experience than me to help me get better other than in ski patrol. I also have learned to accept and deal with problems as a group, whether it be a small problem with a skier who has an injury, or an internal problem in the organization itself.

My self growth has exceeded far past my expectations. Many of the patrollers whom I saw and talked to last year during training say I carry myself higher, which is a great compliment. I can see that in myself too, as I have began to trust myself with the comfort and lives of people on the slopes, which requires a great deal of self confidence. I have also built up a tolerance to gruesome images as that is required to keep a patient calm if they have a devastating injury.

I hope to ski for as long as I can when I get older, and the skills I am learning now will help me do just that. I also have made great friends and hope to talk to them for a great deal longer. My medical skills may not be used everyday but in the small chance I will need them for a serious incident I know I will be proud of myself for knowing what to do in a hectic time. Overall, I think many of the skills, which also include people skills, will be used later in life and will benefit me greatly.