HUN Zsombor Lacza: What does a ski instructor need...
LECTURE
What does a ski instructor need for treating injuries? NOT a first aid kit.
Zsombor Lacza, MD, PhD,
Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
There are several well-known problems which frequently arise during a ski trip especially among large groups of less experienced skiers. Bruises, strains, minor wounds, lower back pain, knee swelling are the most common, and skiers often seek advice from group members, guides, instructors before attending a clinic.
Although everybody knows that an instructor is not trained to treat any injuries, skiers turn to him or her for advice anyway. Years of experience on the slopes provides answers to most of these problems and lot of instructors have a limited supply of medical gear to take care of lesser injuries.
Several first aid kits are available which contain an assortment of supplies such as gauze bandages and plasters, however, the majority of these are seldom used at a ski slope. The main reason for this is that these kits are designed for acute injuries such as severe bleeding and not for common problems such as severe sunburns. Moreover, ski resorts have efficient mountain rescue teams who take expert care of any injuries so ski instructors are restricted to calling and assisting the rescue team. Therefore, ski instructors and guides need a very different skill set than what is provided in a regular first aid course or what is supported by a first aid kit.
The aim of the present study is to present simple decision making diagrams which help instructors to answer the first questions: is it serious? Shall I call the rescue or is it enough to go to the doctor later? can the seemingly injured ski later today? It is also of special importance how to support chronic injuries and prepare for a ski trip if you have lower back pain, heel-spikes or a painful knee joint.
