Outdor Emergency Care
Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC)
OEC is NSP’s signature course offering. This emergency medical responder course is tailored to the non-urban rescuer. This course is required of all NSP patroller members and is offered primarily through NSP patrols, though some NSP affiliate organizations offer the course as well.
In an OEC course, you will learn about many aspects of outdoor care, including:
- performing safe and effective stabilization and extrication of injured persons in the outdoor environment
- scene safety (identifying hazards to both responders and visitors)
- safe and efficient use of outdoor emergency care skills to prevent further injury to visitors
There is a small course fee and an annual refresher course is required to maintain certification.
OEC for EMTs and Paramedics
Current EMTs, advanced EMTs, and paramedics now have a fast-track to receiving an OEC technician card and joining NSP. Patrollers and candidates who are also a current EMT, advanced EMT, or paramedic may receive an OEC technician card by passing the Modified Challenge course, which is comprised of the practical portion of the OEC exam.
NSP’s Specialized Outdoor Education
NSP’s training programs for ski patrollers and mountain hosts are considered the standard of training for emergency care in the outdoor environment and are recognized by resorts and recreational facilities in all 50 states.
Outdoor First Care (OFC) is the NSP’s course designed for those interested in serving as Mountain Hosts at ski areas and others who need an entry-level first aid course. The course is offered through local patrols. It includes content knowledge and hands-on skills training and evaluation.
Participants earn a two-year certification. The current national course fee is $25. There is no refresher requirement for this course; renewal courses are offered with no national course fee.
Central Division Regional OEC Administrators:
| Ohio Region | Alex Herrmann | aherrmann@perfectnorth.com |
| Eastern MI Region | Rae Ann Ruddy | raeannruddy@gmail.com |
| Western MI Region | Lourie Hurley | lmbhurley@yahoo.com |
| Northern MI Region | Mary Corder | marycdietz@yahoo.com |
| North Central Region | John Jarocki | jpjarocki@gmail.com |
| South Central Region | David Kleinschmidt | 1davidk@att.net |
| Southern Region | Harry Rempert | hrempert@sprynet.com |
| Western Region | Ed Thompson | ethompson@winona.edu |
OEC REFRESHERS
If you are unable to attend your Patrol Refresher and need to attend another refresher:
The protocol is to Notify the PR/PD and/or Instructor of Record of the Refresher that you wish to attend to get their approval BEFORE attending.
The Central Division PR/PD list by Region can be accessed in the menu above.
Program Documents:
 | Senior OEC QA Feedback Form | |
| Central Division OEC Basic QA Form | |
 | Road Map to becoming an OEC Instructor (2018) | |
| OEC MSP Clinic Evaluation Card | |
| OEC MSP Manual Final 2017-2018 |
For OEC Instructors
- For general instructor tools, visit the Instructor Resources tab on the NSP site
- Course Tools tutorials can be found HERE.
- For the Navigate Tutorials, Instructor Manuals, Instructor Guides for Refreshers, AND MORE, visit the OEC Instructors page