Winter is descending in force ? good news for Pine Knob Ski Resort in Independence Township.
But with the thrills and chills of the slopes comes risk of high-speed impact. To stay safe, the Pine Knob Ski Patrol offers a Responsibility Code for each skier: stay in control at all times; give people ahead of you the right of way; stop in a safe place for you and others; when starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield; use devices to prevent runaway equipment; observe signs and warnings, and stay off closed trails; and know how to use the lifts and towropes safely.
Mike Rhadigan, patrol director, has more words of advice.
“Wear a helmet ? that’s the most important thing in the world,” Rhadigan said. “The second most important is for snowboarders to wear wrist guards. When a snowboarder falls, the natural instinct is to put your arms out.”
The resort offers lessons daily, which he also highly recommends.
About 140 strong, they keep 6-10 patrollers on duty up and down the slopes on five-hour shifts, monitoring skiers and providing help when needed.
With skiers heading down the slope from 10-20 mph, up to more than 50 mph for the fastest downhill racers, injuries can be severe.
A 51-year-old Shelby Township woman died from injuries suffered in a crash into a tree and a fence, Dec. 12.
On Dec. 29, a 17-year-old Troy boy cracked his helmet during a crash, briefly losing consciousness, 10:03 p.m., Dec. 29. He was taken to Crittenton Hospital for treatment.
Ski patrollers carry radios and medical kits, and are trained to stabilize the patient and get them to patrol headquarters as quickly as possible, using toboggans stationed around the hill.
“If there’s an injury to a leg or arm, they can quickly splint it,” Rhadigan said. “If they’re close, they’ll ski the patient in. If farther, they’ll hook the toboggan to a snow mobile, to get them to the station as safely as possible to prevent further injury.”
The station is equipped with medical beds, oxygen, and other first aid equipment. Further help is also nearby, he said.
“We’re fortunate to have an Independence Township fire station right on the corner,” Rhadigan said.
Training is ongoing and the patrol is always recruiting more members.
“They have to love to ski. We really want them to be good skiers, but we’ll teach them,” he said. For more information, check www.pksp.org. For more info on Pine Knob, call 248-625-0800.