Chair Lift Evacuation - special patient considerations
The Ski Program Director from the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) came to present on the special considerations of a Sit Skier when evacuating a chairlift in an emergency. He provided two common types of sit skis (bi-ski and mono-ski) that rescuers could encounter during an evac. Rescuers were educated on the differences between the sit ski devices as well as the types of disabilities probably associated with the skier using the device. He discussed and demonstrated how each device has its own pick points, but also suggested the safest way to create pick points in the event the sit skier's device is lacking safe pick points (don't exist or don't look intact, etc). He educated rescuers on the common physical disabilities and likely mental differences for sit skiers with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy and autism. He also discussed how to recognize and prevent autonomic dysreflexia. His presentation was followed by a full evacuation of the chairlift (1 carrier with 4 people including 1 sit skier) using the "comm line evac method" with two rescuers riding the haul rope to provide assistance.
Target Audience
Arapahoe Basin Summer Mountain Patrol
Learning Objectives
High angle extrication.
Crew resource management.
Chair Lift evacuation
Physical and mental disabilities of a sit skier
Autonomic dysreflexia
Molly Hogan Chairlift
Jeff Inouye, Director of the Ski Program at Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
EMS Continuing Education approved by the State of Colorado through Centura Health Prehospital Services Training Center and group # CO 039 (SAH), #CO 040 (PSF) and #CO 065 (SDG).
Available Credit
- 0.50 Medical
- 0.50 NCCP-Medical: Special Healthcare Needs
- 1.50 Operations
- 0.50 NCCP-Operations: At-Risk Populations
- 1.00 NCCP-Operations: Crew Resource Management