Stress Management is Important

“Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength”

As Eric Snyder explains to the patrollers at Bear Creek Ski Patrol in Pennsylvania. Eric is a full-time paid patroller at Bear Creek, an OEC Instructor, and an active Instructor and Evaluator in the Pennsylvania State EMT System. He is also an active member of the Eastern Division PSA Team.

PSA stands for “Patroller Stress-Awareness” Team. The team is charged with publicizing the importance of job-related stress among Ski patrollers, to let our membership know that help is available. But more important than providing avenues for help, the team’s mission is to help break down the stigma of asking for help.

Getting help early after a traumatic stress episode is key for easing a patroller’s stress. Stress builds over time causing . . .

Safety Team is working to help CISI, Stress Injuries

Critical Incident Stress Injury (CISI) is a recognized occupational hazard in First Responders. Stress injury can negatively impact our mental, emotional, and physical well being. CISI can occur as a result of witnessing or hearing about a tragedy, involvement in a disaster, a fatality, an undesirable outcome, a complicated scene or from events unrelated to ski patrolling such as work and life situations.

A better understanding of the onset of CISI in “Ski Patrollers” could help direct treatment and prevention of its consequences. Most states have Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) and Management (CISM) teams that offer support to First Responders. Ski Patrollers as First Responders should have access to CISM, but it is unclear how adequate the support is for each state.

The Purpose of this survey study is to determine the incidence of Critical Incident Stress Injury (CISI) in ski patrollers in the Eastern Division NSP and to determine if…

Concussion Sheet

Information about Concussion injuries that you may find useful in your First Aid Room. It is put out by the CDC and gives parents and injured guests information on what a concussion is, and what to look for. The form can be downloaded from the CDC at by clicking this...

Safety PSA’s

January is “National Safety Awareness Month.” National Safety Week has now become National Safety Month! Now the month of January will be dedicated to an entire month of safety.  Many Resorts across the country participate every year to educate skiers and...