Cliff Rescue for Ski Patrol
Cliff Rescue for Ski Patrol (CRSP)
Cliff Rescue for Ski Patrol (CRSP) is a four-day certification course designed specifically for ski patrollers that deal with guests who need help getting out of steep terrain. Despite efforts to warn and inform guests with signage and closures, rescuing cliffed-out guests is a low-frequency/high-consequence event that patrollers must be prepared to handle.
Rescuing guests from cliffy terrain at ski resorts presents unique challenges that differ from other rope-rescue environments. This demands specialized training. Participants will learn systems that are simple, standardized, and team-based to maximize their training time and reduce risks.
Overview
This certification course provides patrollers with tools to access, stabilize and transport cliffed-out guests. It introduces concepts and techniques in the classroom and then moves onto the mountain where participants practice scene size-ups in hazardous terrain, quickly stabilizing the guest, anchoring, belaying, and lowering. Based on the situation, participants will rescue the guest using an assisted belay, solo lower, tandem lower, or mechanical advantage raise. In addition to technical skills, this course focuses on communication, situational awareness, decision-making, and leadership skills.
Rescuing guests who are stuck in cliffy terrain requires specific skills and expertise. Get the training and certification you need to deal with this unique challenge and protect your guests, patrollers, and ski resort.
Open enrollment courses are typically taught at Brighton and Snowbird ski resorts in Utah, or you can book a class at your resort. Contacting Remote Rescue Training at rescue@utah.edu or 801-581-3785.
The Cliff Rescue for Ski Patrol course can be scheduled for groups of 8 to 10 patrollers.
Prerequisites
This course is open to current ski patrollers with OEC or EMT medical training and expert skiing abilities. Experience with basic rope skills is helpful but not required. Participation will involve working while suspended by ropes in hazardous terrain. Aspiring and non-current ski patrollers will be assessed on an individual basis and should contact Remote Rescue Training before registering.
Instructors
The instructors on this course, Andy Rich and Steve Achelis, have performed hundreds of backcountry rescues and have decades of experience patrolling and teaching backcountry rescue.
The Cliff Rescue for Ski Patrol systems have been validated with testing and extensive training. Hundreds of actual rescues have been performed by patrollers who have been trained using the CRSP methods that were developed by Andy and Steve.
Andy Rich
Steve Achelis
Cliff Rescue for Ski Patrol Certification
The Cliff Rescue for Ski Patrol (CRSP) Certification is issued by Remote Rescue Training (RRT) and the University of Utah. Course curriculum, certification standards and a certification database will be maintained by RRT. Certification cards will be issued after the course and may be replaced for a $20 fee.
Course Completion Requirements
Certifications are issued to all participants who successfully complete the CRSP course and demonstrate the ability to:
- Operate safely in steep terrain.
- Perform a scene size-up identifying hazards and formulating an appropriate plan.
- Recognize the appropriate application for standard techniques.
- Communicate and work with a team toward a common goal.
- Implement all access and stabilization skills.
- Select the appropriate rescue solution.
- Implement all four rescue solutions.
To earn certification participants must also demonstrate competency and efficiency in the following minimum basic skills:
- Creating anchors using trees, towers, rocks, and buried skis ("deadman" anchors).
- Tying knots and hitches including bowlines, the figure 8 series, the overhand series, mule hitches, Prusiks and square knots.
- Tying quick seat and chest harnesses.
- Operating ATCs or other belay devices, Munter hitch belays, and Prusik loops.
- Utilizing tethers to manage rescuer safety.
- Implementation of R1 (assisted belay) and L1 (solo lower).
Certification Length
- The Cliff Rescue for Ski Patrol (CRSP) is a two-year certification.
- There is a one-year grace period after the certification expires.
Recertification
- A two-day Recertification Course is open to anyone who has a current certification or is in the one-year grace period. After the grace period the full four-day course must be taken to certify.
- The recertification course is only open to those with a current certification or within the one-year grace period, regardless of skill or experience.
Cliff Rescue for Ski Patrol in the Winter 2015 Ski Patrol Magazine
In partnership with Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Remote Rescue Training (RRT), a division of the Center for Emergency Programs at the University of Utah, developed protocols for patrollers to rescue cliffed-out guests.
Contact Us
Remote Rescue Training
rescue@utah.edu | 801-581-3785
290 S 1850 E, Room 121
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Center for Emergency Program
UUCEP@utah.edu | 801-581-4512
250 S 1850 E, Room 234
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Related Remote Rescue Training Links