OEC CH01: Introduction to Outdoor Emergency Care

OEC CH01: Introduction to Outdoor Emergency Care

This chapter from Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller's Guide to Medical Care (6th edition) outlines the foundational principles and practical aspects of the National Ski Patrol's (NSP) Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) program. It details the resources available for both instructors and students, including textbooks, online materials, and multimedia. The lesson plan emphasizes key objectives for OEC Technicians, such as understanding the program's history, the certification process, and critical legal and ethical considerations like Good Samaritan laws, abandonment, negligence, and patient consent. Ultimately, the document serves as a comprehensive guide for those training to provide prehospital emergency care in diverse outdoor settings, bridging the gap between urban medical services and wilderness rescue.

OEC CH02: Emergency Medical Care Systems

This chapter from Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller's Guide to Medical Care (6th edition) outlines the essential components and principles of Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) for technicians and ski patrollers. It details the resources available for both instructors and students, including textbooks, online modules, and skill guides, to facilitate learning. The core objectives emphasize understanding attributes of emergency care systems, different prehospital provider levels, types of medical oversight, and the purpose of quality improvement. Crucially, it highlights the history and evolution of emergency care systems, emphasizing the coordinated, organized, and continuously improving nature of patient care from initial contact to definitive treatment, particularly in outdoor, non-urban settings where OEC technicians often operate. The text also elaborates on the 14 attributes of effective EMS as outlined by NHTSA, such as integration of health services, medical direction, communication, and public access, alongside different levels of emergency personnel and the vital role of medical oversight and protocols in ensuring consistent, high-quality care.

OEC CH03: Rescue Basics

This chapter from Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller's Guide to Medical Care (6th edition) outlines essential preparedness for Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) technicians. It emphasizes the importance of self-care, detailing requirements for mental and physical well-being, including proper clothing, nutrition, hydration, and avoiding impairing substances, especially when working in diverse outdoor conditions. A major focus is placed on patient and rescuer safety through understanding disease transmission, defining key terms like pathogen and hazardous materials, and implementing standard precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent infection. Finally, the text briefly touches on the proper handling of crime scenes to preserve the chain of custody.

OEC CH04: Incident Command & Triage

This chapter from Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller's Guide to Medical Care (6th edition) outlines the crucial frameworks for managing emergencies and triaging patients, particularly in scenarios with multiple casualties. It introduces the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and its core component, the Incident Command System (ICS), detailing the five functional areas—Incident Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration—that ensure an organized and efficient response. Furthermore, the text thoroughly explains different triage systems, such as SALT and START, which are vital for rapidly assessing and prioritizing patients for treatment and transport in mass casualty incidents, emphasizing techniques like "30-2-Can Do" for quick evaluation. The overarching purpose is to equip Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) technicians with the knowledge and skills to effectively handle complex emergency situations.

OEC CH05: Moving, Lifting, & Transporting Patients

This chapter from Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller's Guide to Medical Care (6th edition) outlines essential techniques for moving, lifting, and transporting patients in various emergency scenarios, emphasizing the paramount importance of rescuer safety through proper body mechanics. It details specific methods for patient movement, differentiating between urgent and non-urgent situations, and providing clear guidance on techniques like the power grip and power lift. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to explaining different lifts, such as the extremity lift or direct ground lift, with crucial distinctions made for patients with and without suspected spinal injuries. Finally, the chapter covers the appropriate use of diverse transport equipment like backboards and toboggans, alongside critical considerations for packaging a patient and ensuring helicopter safety during air transport.