Toboggan Exam

The PSPA candidate will be required to perform the following:

1) Empty Toboggan
2) Loaded Toboggan
3) Loaded Skills

Empty Toboggan - The candidate will be expected to drive an empty toboggan to an obvious simulated accident scene. Each candidate will be scored on how well they control the empty toboggan to the scene and their approach to and from the simulated accident. Although it is important that the candidate expeditiously reach the scene, safety and control rather than speed are the most important concerns. In addition to their approach to the scene, candidates will be scored on how well they deal with trail merges, pitch changes, other natural and man-made obstacles and the skiing public. This run is apt to be from the top of the mountain to the bottom.

Loaded Toboggan- Each candidate will be expected to drive a loaded toboggan down a moguled trail. Route selection, control and the consistency of speed will determine the candidates score. The sled's rider will have a simulated painful tib-fib injury. The simulated injury will help the examiners gauge the smoothness of the run. Each candidate may be expected to drive the sled from the top of the mountain to the bottom.

Loaded Skills - This section of the exam will take place on a steep terrain through a course set with bamboo and may or may not be set in the moguls. It is meant to simulate marginal conditions on a trail requiring the candidate to traverse several times to stay on the "best" route. Although the speed that this is accomplished is important, the safest, smoothest ride possible for the patient is the primary concern. The sled's rider will have a simulated painful tib-fib injury. The simulated injury will help the examiners gauge the smoothness of the run.