Item: Canadian Ski Patrol System's Public Education Programs in Avalanche Awareness
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Title: Canadian Ski Patrol System's Public Education Programs in Avalanche Awareness
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 1980 International Snow Science Workshop, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Authors:
- Peter B. Spear [ Canadian Ski Patrol System, Calgary, Alberta ]
Date: 1980
Abstract: The Canadian Ski Patrol System (CSPS) in Alberta and British Columbia helps to educate downhill and nordic skiers, ski mountaineers, outdoor club members, snowmobilers, various government employees, and rescue group members in the various aspects of safe winter travel in avalanche terrain. The CSPS is celebrating its 40th year of service to the Canadian skiing public since its inception by Dr. Douglas Firth. At present there are over 4,000 active members in more than 50 zones across Canada. In addition to our extensive training and experience in first aid and accident handling, we are involved in accident prevention by promoting safe skiing practices in downhill and nordic aras, operating free binding testing clinics, and providing educational programs in avalanche safety. The avalanche safety program in the CSPS started in the Calgary, Alberta area in the early 1960's under the leadership of Brad Geisler, a National Ski Patrol System (NSPS) member from Arapahoe Basin, Colorado. He combined his talents with Russ Bradley of Calgary who had extensive ski mountaineering experience. These two men developed their snowcraft knowledge and shared this with many of the present CSPS avalanche instructors with the assistance of Parks Canada personnel and Peter Schaerer of the National Research Council. One or more of the avalanche instructors in the CSPS has attended all major avalanche symposiums in North America held during the last ten years to further increase the CSPS base of knowledge on avalanche research Drograms pertinent to our needs. The major thrust of the public education programs of the CSPS is centered in Calgary. Although avalanche fatalities have occurred in Quebec and Ontario, they were under unusual circumstances, and the rest of the Canadian fatalities have been in British Columbia, Alberta, or the
Object ID: issw-1980-153-157.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: csps, awareness, rescue groups, safety
Page Number(s): 153-157
Subjects: avalanche awareness program avalanche education avalanche safety
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