PEAK OEC Course Options

In addition to the protocol modules listed here, we offer training in, and annual Refreshers for, the Outdoor Emergency Care course (OEC) administered by the National Ski Patrol System (NSP) of the U.S.A. The NSP is a U.S. federally-chartered non-profit association dedicated to serving the public and the mountain recreation industry. In the same spirit of the NSP's mandate, Peak offers OEC training on a nearly cost-recovery basis.

The OEC Course curriculum contains baseline knowledge and skills derived from the U.S. EMT-B Course with an emphasis on the non-urban environment. Specific modules address the injuries and illnesses that mountain resort-based responders are likely to encounter - conditions that are not typically addressed in many first aid programs. Such specific topics include: high-altitude and cold-weather illness, paediatric emergencies, medical emergencies, drugs & alcohol abuse, specific snow sport injuries, extrications & evacuations, and the specialized equipment needed for emergency care and transportation in the non-urban environment - to name just a few.

Peak's Full OEC Course is approximately 100 hours in duration. The prerequisites call for participants to be at least 15 years of age and to hold current CPR-C certification. Students are required to complete various workbook exercises, participate in comprehensive lessons with skill and scenario application, achieve a 75% passing grade on a final written examination and demonstrate their skills and knowledge in final practical exams incorporating realistic scenarios. Peak's Challenge OEC Course is approximately 40 hours in duration and prepares individuals with previous medical trainings to handle the emergency care problems encountered in the non-urban setting in accordance with OEC training standards. Responders with prior medical trainings have been previously certified with Occupational First Aid (WCB), Advanced Wilderness First Aid or the Canadian Ski Patrol System (CSPS) First Aid Training Course, Emergency Medical Responder, and Paramedic credentials. The Challenge Course students must satisfy the OEC curriculum Knowledge and Skill Performance Objectives in order to receive certification as OEC Technicians.

Maintenance of an OEC certification is exceptionally cost effective, uncomplicated and yet comprehensive. The OEC Technician must attend three consecutive annual Refreshers (1-2 days in length); the Refreshers cover one-third of the original course curriculum. Following the 3-year period of uninterrupted Refreshers, the Technician can then apply to the NSP for re-certification.

In addition, we provide the necessary Instructor Development Training for organizations to become self-sufficient. This process is not for all organizations or corporations; however, should this be of interest, please contact us and we will be pleased to provide further information on the subject.
 

OEC FULL COURSE - Click here for the pdf version
The Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course is administered by the National Ski Patrol System (NSP) and is a federally-chartered non-profit association dedicated to serving the public and the mountain recreation industry. The OEC course curriculum contains baseline knowledge and skill development objectives derived from the Emergency Medical Technicians Course with emphasis on the non-urban environment.

Specific modules address the injuries and illnesses that non-urban responders are likely to encounter – conditions that are typically not addressed in other first aid programs. Such specific topics include high-altitude and cold-weather illness, paediatric emergencies, medical emergencies, drugs & alcohol abuse, specific snow-sport injuries, remote area extrications & evacuations and the specialized equipment needed for emergency care and transportation in the non-urban environment.

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OEC BRIDGING COURSE - Click here for PDF version
Many prospective OEC students already possess certification in other first aid training programs, and as such PEAK has developed two programs to meet those students’ specific needs (the OEC Bridging Course and the OEC Challenge Course). They have been designed to convert and augment an individual’s previous first aid skills and knowledge to manage the emergency care problems encountered in the non-urban setting in accordance with the OEC training standards.

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OEC CHALLENGE COURSE - Click here for PDF version
Many prospective OEC students already possess certification in other first aid training programs, and as such PEAK has developed two programs to meet those students’ specific needs (the OEC Bridging Course and the OEC Challenge Course). They have been designed to convert and augment an individual’s previous first aid skills and knowledge to manage the emergency care problems encountered in the non-urban setting in accordance with the OEC training standards.

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OEC REFRESHER COURSE - Click here for PDF version
This course is intended to be attended annually by qualified OEC Technicians in order maintain OEC certification. Should a Technician fail to attend an annual Refresher within any 3-year period, certification is said to be terminated following that 3-year period. To re-establish certification, a Technician must either attend all of the cycle specific missed Refreshers or attend an OEC course of instruction (Full, Bridging or Challenge) and successfully complete the evaluation process.

Many organizations require their OEC Technicians to attend an annual Refresher as opposed to recertifying every 3-years. This is to ensure that Technician’s knowledge and skills are up to date and honed.

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OEC RE-CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION - Click here for PDF version
This examination is for students who have a previous OEC certification within the previous three years but have failed to attend a Refresher Course annually. It is intended for those OEC Technicians whose non-urban skills and knowledge are current as this option does not include training and is strictly an examination process. Once the student has successfully passed this re-certification examination, they are considered current in OEC and will not have to attend that year’s Refresher. However, if a student is unsuccessful in this examination, in order to obtain OEC certification, the student would have to attend an OEC Course of instruction and successfully demonstrate the standard in a subsequent examination.

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OEC to OFA L3 BRIDGING COURSE - Click here for PDF version
This 3.5 day bridging course is designed to convert Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Technicians and Non-Urban Emergency Medical Responders (NUEMR) to Occupational First Aid Level 3 Attendants. It is intended for pre-qualified first-aid professionals who actively work in an environment where responding to medical emergencies is a common and expected occurrence. Essentially this program is reserved for individuals who are experienced pre-hospital care providers such as ski-patrollers, search & rescue personnel, paramedics and other experienced first-aid providers.

While the OEC and NUEMR curriculum covers and exceeds many of the OFA Level 3 subjects, in preparation for this bridging course participants must review OFA protocols and procedures prior to attending the in-class sessions. This is a demanding and fast-paced program that requires you to commit the time necessary to assimilate the theoretical information in the OFA textbook. Please note that only certain subjects will be reviewed during the in-class sessions and prior to the evaluation process. Experience has indicated that the areas that students find most challenging are: upper & lower limb splinting (specifically, the use of wooden and metallic splints), first aid room procedures, and return-towork documentation.

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OEC to OFA L3 RECERTIFICATION COURSE - Click here for PDF version
This 2.5 day re-certification course is a ‘review course’ not a ‘course of instruction’. It is intended for pre-qualified first-aid professionals who actively work in an environment where responding to medical emergencies is a common and expected occurrence. Essentially this program is reserved for individuals who are experienced pre-hospital care providers such as ski-patrollers, search & rescue personnel, paramedics and other experienced firstaid providers. While the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) and Non-Urban Emergency Medical Responder (NUEMR) curriculum covers and exceeds
many of the OFA Level 3 subjects, in preparation for this re-certification course participants must review OFA protocols and procedures prior to attending the in-class sessions. This is a demanding and fast-paced program that requires you to commit the time necessary to assimilate the theoretical information in the OFA textbook. Please note that only certain subjects will be reviewed during the in-class sessions and prior to the evaluation process.

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