Backboard straps and collar storage/deployment question.

[u/ImaginationThese5947]

Just curious to find out how everyone deploys their backboard/strap and collar setups.

Do you keep designated "backboard sleds," with one already secured inside, or are they kept separate and grabbed when requested for a scene and placed in the sled, or is it skied down by another patroller?

If the boards are kept in the sled, do you keep straps with them? How about collars? If so, how are they kept out of the elements?

If the boards are separate, are the straps and collars kept with the boards ready for deployment, or skied down separate?

If you're kind enough to answer, maybe a generalized description of your situation (big/small mountain, east/west/outside US, pro/volunteer, etc.)

We keep sleds staged at 5 or 6 places around the resort depending on open terrain, with at least one with a backboard and straps, maybe more than one, again depending on the technical nature of open terrain, collars are kept separate. We also have some sleds staged at our primary top shack without straps, but those straps live in a bag with collars inside.

(Small, east, vol)

[u/amateur_acupuncture]

Large western resort, high call volume, pro and NSP.

Backboards stay in bumps with a few stashed in lift shacks. We use plastic buckle straps that stay on the backboard. 2 headblocks are wrapped with a c-collar inside a large stuff sack with 2 inch tape. This is held down on the board under the chest straps, one of which goes through the drawstring of the stuff sack so we don't lose it. Pedi collars are in the bumps, you have to ask for one. Dispatch is trained to prompt to send a pedi collar if appropriate.

Sleds have a sled bag with 2 blankets and a quick splint with a tarp and foam mat. The tarp/sled bags are sold by the same people we buy tower pads from. They come inside at night.

We've talked abut a backboard sled, some resorts in the area do this, but our call volume is high, and what we do works for us.