Canadian Ski

. Patrol

HISTORY
At Kitsumkalum Mounr-
~ tain the Ski Patrol began in
the 1975-76 season with 20
members under the

* . Grection of Guy Rushton,

the coordinator, and Bill
Benzer, the first aid in-
structor. The local ski club
in: Terrace was most
gracious in supplying the
new. patrol with their
jackets and first aid kits, a
donation that reflects the
hard work they have put into
the ski hill. The thirteen
week course was tailored to.
suit the treatment required
by a ski accident victim. In
addition the proper use of
-the Cascade-type toboggan
and the procedure to fallow
for a chair lift evacuation
‘were practised on the hill.

DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES |
Our primary function is to
provide immediate and
competent first aid to a ski
injury victim and a degree
“or reassurance that will
protect the. patient from
urther injury while he or
she is being transported to
more sophisticated medical

attention. Because of our~

training we form part of the
Provincial Emergency
Program, P.E.P. In the case
of an.avalanche or similar
disaster that requires
trained personne! to handle
injured people the ski patrol
can provide manpower to
assist in research and
rescue. operations. A most
important duty both locally
and at the national level is to
significantly reduce the
accident rate so we will not
be as frequently called upon
_ to administer first aid. This
responsibility implies that
we encourage people to
reduce their potential of

having an accident by such

Ski Tips

With Mickey Johnson
Although skiing got off to
_a slow start in the Pacific
northwest and there were
many moans and groans
about our area, Kit-
sumkalum, being too low or
too close to the coast,
nevertheless we are skiing.
And we are one of the
handful of areas in western
North America that is open.
Smithers was the first area
. in western North America to
open, followed by Kit-
sumkalum. Prince Rupert is
unfortunately still awaiting
the white stuff.
_ The shortage of snow can
cause-havoc the bases of a
pair of skis, but there are
minor repairs that anyone
can make if care is taken.
Gouges and scratches can

_o£f miscellaneous expenses

- dripping

System

things as pre-ski exercises,
selecting the proper
equipment, and skiing runs
that match their skiing
ability. These are, of course,
things we work at away
from the hill and on a year
round basis.
FUND RAISING

Because the patrol is
manned by volunteers and is
a charitable organization
with no constant income, the
raising of funds must be
pursued at times for such
things as upgrading our-
instructors, maintaining a
high degree of quality by.
entering a three man team
in the annual first aid
competition, supplying
atrollers with current
iterature on more efficient
first aid methods, and a host

such as stamps and
stationary.
SAFETY ON
. THE HILL
This is the real business
end of the ski patrol and it

‘involves a number of things
such as proper clothing
(long scarves and hats may
look neat but they are ex-
tremely dangerous), skiing
ability (don’t overski your
own ability), equipment
(especially .the proper
function and maintenance of
your. release mechanism),
hill signs (must be
thoroughly understood), Lift
use (obeying all instructions
and hints for their use), and
the use of common sense
while skiing.
THE LOCAL
ORGANIZATION

Like any group the Kit-
sumkalum Ski Patrol has a
regular executive body who
call frequent- meetings to
exchange ideas among
patrollers and discuss ways
of upgrading our first aid
techniques.

MICKEY JOHNSON
SKI SHOP

be filled by melting and
a Kolfex candle
into them. The skis should
be at room temperature so
there will be a good bonding
of the material. Ap-
proximately 60 seconds
after dripping the Kolfex it
should be smoothed with a
knife or razor blade. After
the burrs are flat filed out
and a good hot wax is ap- .
plied the skis should be
almost as good as new. —

To the. skeptics of ap-
roximately three years
Back who thought Kit-
sumkalum wouldn’t work
out, it experienced its
busiest weekend on the 15th
and 16th of January with
about 800 people each day
hitting the slopes. ae

“We specialize in
skiing only”’

-- LETRAPPEUR - PEDEGREE
ROSSIGNOL - YAMAHA
DYNASTAR - MUMARI

| TYROL CLOTHING
We also fine tune your skiis | .

(Flat file, hot wax etc.).

* Private Lessons
_ % Equipment Rental
“COMPLETE SHOP IN DOWNTOWN TERRACE

. Information & Snow Reports
Jos Konst - General Managor .