Course Description for TES

TES – Toboggan Enhancement Seminar

1. Program objective –  The TES is a thorough review and guided practice of toboggan handling procedures. It is designed to provide instruction and guided practice on the proper usage and handling of alpine rescue toboggans. It is the intent to have experienced toboggan instructor trainers (ITs) and toboggan instructors present the proper and current techniques to properly handle an unloaded and loaded toboggan on suitable terrain. This program can and should be conducted at all alpine ski areas on a regular basis and should encourage hill-qualified patrollers to actively participate on a regular basis.
2. Program structure – This program is open to all current toboggan-qualified patrollers. This program can be structured for specific groups to provide more relevant content for all attendees. Examples are over age 50, women only, or Senior Alpine candidates.
   1. Venue – Typically takes place on the hillsides of local ski areas.
   1. Class size – Ideally there should be approximately three or four members in a group of participants per toboggan and at least one instructor per group. The total size is limited to the equipment and instructors available, not to exceed the group sizes defined earlier and consistent with the local area’s policy on class sizes.
   1. Instructor/student ratio – The most effective ratio is consistent with the group size and number of toboggans. The ideal ratio is 2:4 of instructors to students, for one toboggan.
   1. Audit frequency – Due to most TES courses taking approximately one day and the instructor cadre varies, it is ideal if each TES instructor of record (IOR) or event lead instructor be observed at least once per season.
3. Course content – This program addresses the fundamental skills of properly utilizing alpine snow sport equipment. The course applies these skills to proper, efficient and safe handling of rescue toboggans. These fundamental skills include edging, rotation, pressure and balance and provide the foundation of skiing and snowboarding. The proper application of these skills provide the on-the-hill patroller with the ability to handle both front and tail responsibilities of the rescue toboggan with strength and confidence.
4. Resources required – This program requires permission from the local area management regarding what is acceptable related to runs and the utilization of the local area’s equipment. Obviously the local area patrol representative must be supportive and staffed that day to permit other on-the-hill patrollers to participate without compromising proper area coverage. One toboggan is needed for every three to four participants, and all participants must sign waivers to take part in the seminar.
   1. Instructors – This program requires a minimum of one instructor for every three to four participants. It is strongly recommended that ITs be group leaders.
   1. Helpers – The only helpers that may be necessary are those who are designated to provide uphill toboggan transport, mostly defined by the patrol representative or area management.
   1. Equipment – Toboggans, additional tail ropes and heavy-duty bamboo poles.
   1. Educational materials – Outdoor Emergency Transportation Manual
5. Instructor credentials – Toboggan ITs and toboggan trainers with current instructor credentials.
6. Course prerequisites – Available to all patrollers qualified to run toboggans.
7. Evaluation format – Not applicable
8. Grade scale/structure – Not applicable
9. Reporting requirements – Course registration, with all participants completely registered. Within two weeks of completion of the event, the IOR shall submit completion of course document to the NSP national office.
   1. Class registration – Any toboggan IT or toboggan instructor may register the course online at nsp.org: “Member’s page,” “Education tools” and “Register course.”
   1. Course completion report – The seminar provides a course registration form that is also the completion form, which needs to be completely filled in after the course is completed and sent to the national office. A copy of this course record needs to be kept for two to four years depending on specific division policy.
   1. Course feedback form – At the completion of the course the IOR distributes a course evaluation form. These forms are typically available through division toboggan supervisor or the national office. It may need to be edited to satisfy each division’s specific needs.
10. Risk management considerations – Conducting a Toboggan Enhancement Seminar is always a risk. All participants need to sign the division’s course participation waiver.  These waivers need to be kept with the course completion records. All instructors need to provide an environment that will permit anyone who is not comfortable attempting any portion of the course to elect to not participate in any activity.
11. Conflict resolution – The IOR is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations for any conflict. If a participant has an unresolved issue or complaint, it should be taken to the next line administrator