Mountain Travel & Rescue: National Ski Patrol’s Manual for Mountain Rescue, 2nd edition National Ski Patrol System, Inc., Seattle, WA: The Mountaineers Books, 2012 US$27.95, 288 pages, softcover

Abstract

As backcountry and sidecountry skiing and snowboarding has bourgeoned, so has the interest in search and rescue (SAR).1Van Tilburg C. Sidecountry rescue—who should respond to ski resort out-of-bounds rescues?.Wilderness Environ Med. 2010; 21: 100-102Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar Ski patrollers are chiefly tasked with inbounds rescue. Mountain rescue volunteers are sanctioned by county sheriffs or Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who have legal responsible for SAR (with some exceptions). Publication of Mountain Travel & Rescue, National Ski Patrol’s Manual for Mountain Rescue, 2nd ed, authored by a collection of renowned experts, is timely. This comprehensive volume includes all essential topics and provides a good introductory overview. The introductory chapters on nutrition and clothing are detailed; unfortunately, perhaps because of the lack of widespread adoption and controversy on their effectiveness, a discussion of helmets is absent. The emergency shelters chapter has excellent images and appropriately focuses mainly on small trenches instead of large snow caves. There is a good overview of navigation. The last chapter, Emergency Rescue Techniques, which provides a review of rope and litter rigging, is supplemented with excellent graphics. For backcountry or technical terrain, readers will find only minimal discussion on avalanche safety and airbag backpacks. The ski repair kit omits hose clamps and epoxy, both essential to repair a blown ski binding. I could not find a discussion of deep snow and tree-well immersion hazards, which are responsible for more inbounds deaths than avalanches.2Van Tilburg C. Non-avalanche-related snow immersion deaths: tree well and deep snow immersion asphyxiation.Wilderness Environ Med. 2010; 21: 257-261Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar A missing discussion of legal aspects may have been useful, either from a practical or academic standpoint; it is important because ski patrollers are usually employees or volunteers at private ski resorts and may not be covered for liability and workers’ compensation when out-of-bounds. The National Incident Management System is discussed in nice detail, but radio incompatibility is not addressed, a frequent problem during multiagency rescues. The appendix on the physician/paramedical medical kit includes a comprehensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation pack, but does not delineate front-country and backcountry differences. For inbounds rescues, a large trauma kit is standard; for the backcountry, one may choose to pare down the rather extensive list and carry a compact, shock-resistant, and weatherproof automated external defibrillator instead of a standard cardiac monitor. The need for such a manual is understandable, and this book, written by a collection of experts, provides a comprehensive basic overview for novice patrollers. Undoubtedly, one would need to supplement, such as with avalanche safety education and training.