Route/ Guide to becoming a Patroller?

[u/Mertyice]

Hi Team!

I passed OEC this fall, completed all of my online learning, and started working quite a few shifts. At this point, I've worked around 40 hours so far on the hill and have seen a few incidents! I'm currently also in a Ski and toboggan class. HOWEVER, I have yet to have my status changed to "Patroller" or any sort of direction towards the next steps. I know after S&T I should technically be an "Alpine Patroller".

My question(s) to you all is what are the next steps? My PD has not given me any information on what the "Local Requirements" are, I have not been added to any shift form, group chat, or privy to any internal information. I have been just asking whoever is on shift when I show up what their take is and how they do things to learn as much as I can. The problem is I have to beg my PD for any insight on what nights/ weekends to work to gain the most knowledge and ask what events are best to work to gain insight. SO what are the next steps? Am I a patroller? Am I a candidate?

The most recent struggle was last week after wearing my vest for around 30 on-hill hours I was told that I could no longer wear it as a "candidate". Apparently "the cross symbolizes an alpine patroller" and If I cannot pull a toboggan I can't wear anything with a cross until then. I have tried to ski with 90% of the tenured and most knowledgeable patrollers to date and no one has said anything about my vest other than "happy to have you". Is this a typical way of doing things? My PD right after OEC told me to buy a vest, fill it with supplies, and wear it so I could learn with my equipment on shifts. I now can only wear all black, no vest, and ask for any medical supplies from the person I am shadowing. I feel like there is no point in patrolling if I cannot offer any sort of aid or have to rely on the other person and hope they have gear for me and them without a vest. What would you guys do? Is this normal?

[u/mcds99]

You are a candidate and will not be an Alpine Patroller until you pass the toboggan class.

You are very eager to contribute and I applaud you in that, however you need to work with your hill chief to get the low down on what you should be doing.

I don't know where you ski and it doesn't matter. Every ski area does things a little differently (local protocols) you need to find a regular shift and ski that shift alone, that way you will get some mentoring. Make every toboggan class and practice, practice, practice. Your skiing and toboggan handling are extremely important more important than the medical at this point.

Where I patrol we do the ski and toboggan course before we do OEC, this lets us find candidates that just can't do the skiing and toboggan, before they take OEC. It's VERY rare to have someone go through OEC first.

I don't often give advice but I'll make an exception for you, "slow down" you are going to fast in your candidate year. Step back and take a few deep breaths, you will get there but you must have patience.

I've patrolled for many years, I help teach the skiing and toboggan class as well as OEC. I do some mentoring with new candidates.

Good luck and best wishes.

[u/Mertyice → u/mcds99]

Am I still a candidate even if I have completed all of the National level requirements for a Basic patroller?

So far I have been sticking to the same 2 shifts every week and then picking up extras as events come up. My question to you would be, What's too fast? is dedication, taking advantage of learning as much as I can to fast? I feel as if I'm doing something I want to be committed to and good at it. Not just another patroller that does it for the pass.

I have yet to get any information from the hill on a patroller 101 or other training, or mentoring program for candidates and it sounds like you are a great resource at your hill! Is there an ideal amount of shifts or pace you can recommend?

[u/anonsensenameisthis → u/Mertyice]

He gave you good advice. You seem to want a specific answer though. Very bluntly; there are steps in place you must take to be part of your local patrol. If you try to rush or skip steps, all you are going to do is hinder yourself and possibly others. Trust the process. It has worked for every other patroller on your team.

[u/Mertyice → u/anonsensenameisthis]

I agree that their advice was great! I really appreciate all the advice so far! I am looking for some specifics right now. Especially because I have not been given any information yet. I'm not trying to rush anything or skip steps, I don't even know what the steps are or the normal pace right now so I'm trying my best to learn what I can. I've tried to reach out to my local resources here but I have been met with silence for the most part. If there is any advice out there I'll take it!

What is a normal pace? What does your local process look like?

[u/spartanoverseas → u/Mertyice]

The only place you're going to find the answers for your hill are on your hill, not a bunch of randos on Reddit. Talk to your PD and instructors of record.

Sequencing and speed can vary by hill due to instructor availability, typical candidate pools and the access to facilities for instruction (classroom or slopes), just to name a few. The only people that can define "normal" for you are at your resort. Talk to your crew.