This season I was able to complete a long goal of mine since I started skiing, joining the United States National Ski Patrol. I always wanted to do it, but when I was in Colorado, I just never felt like giving up my powder days:) Selfish, but honest. Now that I am in Korea, where the skiing isn't really that amazing, it's a perfect opportunity to join the patrol and give back a bit with some volunteerism. The U.S NSP only patrols outside of the United States in two locations, Germany and Korea. When I found out that Korea was on the list for, and the classes were free, I signed up! So, I enrolled last fall, faithfully attended classes two nights a week through most of October, November, and December (and it's a 2 hour commute to Seoul!), and passed all my ski skills tests in January. We hosted a big international ski festival at the beginning of February, and I worked my first injury on a steep icy black diamond. The unfortunate patient had a pretty clean boot-top tib/fib fracture that we put some traction on, splinted, and got her down to the hospital on a toboggan. The Korean ski patrol did the toboggan work, and are great partners. Just a few weeks ago we had the Ski Patrol Banquet, generously hosted by Berhardt, one of our patrol volunteers and manage of the Hilton Hotel in Seoul. At the Banquet I was presented with the Ski Patrol Candidate of the Year award, which put a perfect ending point to a great season spent with new friends helping others out on the mountain. I'm already looking forward to next season!
Monday, May 21, 2012
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