Education and innovation
April 22nd-25th
Bend, OR
4 unique day's of Austere medicine and rescue. This conference and symposium has been organized for Search and Rescue teams, Military rescue teams, R.E.M. teams, Structure fire departments and other disciplines of rescue. There will be presentations and trainings from experts all over the world, including 2 days of rope rescue training and competition at beautiful Smith Rocks State Park.
Demonstrations and presentations include Hand tool vehicle extrication, light and fast rope systems, Load and go techniques, shore based water operations, mesh communication networks, NFPA and light weight systems and more. Presentations will be available online for our international audience when practical. We highly encourage individuals to attend and participate. Every aspect of the event is open to individuals to join and share their knowledge.
Demonstrations and presentations include Hand tool vehicle extrication, light and fast rope systems, Load and go techniques, shore based water operations, mesh communication networks, NFPA and light weight systems and more. Presentations will be available online for our international audience when practical. We highly encourage individuals to attend and participate. Every aspect of the event is open to individuals to join and share their knowledge.
April 22nd
Lectures and Demonstrations
07:00-08:00 Rescue fitness work out with Nina Nelson
09:00-10:00 Lecture
10:00-11:00 Lecture
11:00-12:00 Lecture
12:00-16:00 Break (go shop, you might have a cool deal in your swag bag) and Demonstrations
16:00-17:00 Lecture
17:00-18:00 Lecture
18:30-20:00 First One on Ferno (lecture and social)
07:00-08:00 Rescue fitness work out with Nina Nelson
09:00-10:00 Lecture
10:00-11:00 Lecture
11:00-12:00 Lecture
12:00-16:00 Break (go shop, you might have a cool deal in your swag bag) and Demonstrations
16:00-17:00 Lecture
17:00-18:00 Lecture
18:30-20:00 First One on Ferno (lecture and social)
April 23rd
Lectures and Demonstrations
07:00-08:00 Rescue fitness work out with Nina Nelson
09:00-10:00 Lecture
10:00-11:00 Lecture
11:00-12:00 Lecture
12:00-16:00 Break (go hike part of the river trail)
16:00-17:00 Hand tool vehicle extrication demonstration with Puyallup Extrication
17:00-18:00 Lecture
18:30-20:00 First One on Ferno ( lecture and social)
07:00-08:00 Rescue fitness work out with Nina Nelson
09:00-10:00 Lecture
10:00-11:00 Lecture
11:00-12:00 Lecture
12:00-16:00 Break (go hike part of the river trail)
16:00-17:00 Hand tool vehicle extrication demonstration with Puyallup Extrication
17:00-18:00 Lecture
18:30-20:00 First One on Ferno ( lecture and social)
April 24th and 25th
~Rescue Team and Individual competitions ~
April 24th Rope Rescue Skills and challenges
Teams and Individuals will be challenged on rope rescue skills, techniques and problem solving.
April 25th Rope Rescue Scenarios
Teams will go head to head on scenarios. In this peer reviewed competition teams will have the opportunity to learn, teach and gain valuable feedback from other teams.
April 24th Rope Rescue Skills and challenges
Teams and Individuals will be challenged on rope rescue skills, techniques and problem solving.
April 25th Rope Rescue Scenarios
Teams will go head to head on scenarios. In this peer reviewed competition teams will have the opportunity to learn, teach and gain valuable feedback from other teams.
presenters
Drew Southard, MD
Dr. Southard attended medical school at the university of Colorado and completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of New Mexico. He is the Department Chair of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director for Saint Alphonsus Regional Trauma Center in Boise, ID. He works clinically both at the trauma center as well as the community and rural Emergency Departments throughout the Treasure Valley in the Saint Alphonsus System. He is also the owner of Fireline MD, which provides medical direction and training to EMS personnel and serves as the medical director for Region 1 of the USFS, the Boise, Salmon-Challis, and Sawtooth National Forests. Before medicine, Dr. Southard worked as a wild land firefighter, EMT-B and wilderness guide throughout the west and Alaska.
Dr. Southard attended medical school at the university of Colorado and completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of New Mexico. He is the Department Chair of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director for Saint Alphonsus Regional Trauma Center in Boise, ID. He works clinically both at the trauma center as well as the community and rural Emergency Departments throughout the Treasure Valley in the Saint Alphonsus System. He is also the owner of Fireline MD, which provides medical direction and training to EMS personnel and serves as the medical director for Region 1 of the USFS, the Boise, Salmon-Challis, and Sawtooth National Forests. Before medicine, Dr. Southard worked as a wild land firefighter, EMT-B and wilderness guide throughout the west and Alaska.
Matt Adams ~
Be it on site rescue services, complex rigging consulting and solutions services or mentoring and serving youth as a non-profit outdoor guide, the work of Crux Rescue centers around Matt Adams.
Matt Grew up in the Great Northwest and Enjoys a rich heritage as a 6th generation Oregonian. The grandson of one of the original members of MORESCO, Matt grew up learning rope and knot craft. He joined the local Search and Rescue team as a Boy Scout and has continued as an active SAR member for the last 24 years.
Today, Matt hones his skills as a training officer for the Camp Sherman Hasty Team, Rope Instructor for the Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue and was the lead Tech and Warehouse Manager for Rescue Response Gear.
Be it on site rescue services, complex rigging consulting and solutions services or mentoring and serving youth as a non-profit outdoor guide, the work of Crux Rescue centers around Matt Adams.
Matt Grew up in the Great Northwest and Enjoys a rich heritage as a 6th generation Oregonian. The grandson of one of the original members of MORESCO, Matt grew up learning rope and knot craft. He joined the local Search and Rescue team as a Boy Scout and has continued as an active SAR member for the last 24 years.
Today, Matt hones his skills as a training officer for the Camp Sherman Hasty Team, Rope Instructor for the Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue and was the lead Tech and Warehouse Manager for Rescue Response Gear.
David Stanton ~ Operational Team Based Resuscitation (OTBR)
David Stanton, NRP has been working in EMS both domestically and internationally for over 14 years, spending most of his time trying to find the perfect cup of coffee. Based in Seattle, David has specialized in austere medicine for his entire career, and when not deployed spends his time teaching at local paramedic programs and playing copious amounts of video games. Currently he is working on a Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, and training for an Ironman.
OTBR is a cognitive toolkit for managing patients in environments outside the usual scope of both PHTLS and ATLS. Based on work and feedback from Dr. Scott Weingart, and currently deployed to teams across the world, OTBR maximizes the skills of team members into a more cohesive and comprehensive menu of options for the on-site provider. OTBR is highly adaptive for environments where traditional EMS is either nonexistent or severely limited. This lecture discusses the philosophy and implementation of a better way to manage your critical patients with applications both domestically and internationally.
David Stanton, NRP has been working in EMS both domestically and internationally for over 14 years, spending most of his time trying to find the perfect cup of coffee. Based in Seattle, David has specialized in austere medicine for his entire career, and when not deployed spends his time teaching at local paramedic programs and playing copious amounts of video games. Currently he is working on a Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, and training for an Ironman.
OTBR is a cognitive toolkit for managing patients in environments outside the usual scope of both PHTLS and ATLS. Based on work and feedback from Dr. Scott Weingart, and currently deployed to teams across the world, OTBR maximizes the skills of team members into a more cohesive and comprehensive menu of options for the on-site provider. OTBR is highly adaptive for environments where traditional EMS is either nonexistent or severely limited. This lecture discusses the philosophy and implementation of a better way to manage your critical patients with applications both domestically and internationally.
Marcel Rodriguez ~ Psychological First Aid
Marcel Rodriguez is an "unpaid professional" Search & Rescue Team member, Board Member and Rope Team Leader with Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue in Portland, Oregon, as well as a member of Bjögunarsveitin Su∂urnes in Keflavik, Iceland ( a member team of Icelandic Search and Rescue). Marcel has been working with a dedicated group of PNWSAR members to build resilience into all aspects of the team activities and processes.
Marcel currently holds qualifications as an EMT, NOLS WEMT, and Technical Rope Rescue-Technician Level Instructor for Rescue3. When not engaged in teaching and SAR activities, Marcel works in mergers & Acquisitions for an international software company.
Marcel Rodriguez is an "unpaid professional" Search & Rescue Team member, Board Member and Rope Team Leader with Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue in Portland, Oregon, as well as a member of Bjögunarsveitin Su∂urnes in Keflavik, Iceland ( a member team of Icelandic Search and Rescue). Marcel has been working with a dedicated group of PNWSAR members to build resilience into all aspects of the team activities and processes.
Marcel currently holds qualifications as an EMT, NOLS WEMT, and Technical Rope Rescue-Technician Level Instructor for Rescue3. When not engaged in teaching and SAR activities, Marcel works in mergers & Acquisitions for an international software company.
Jeff Pugh ~ Hand Tool Vehicle Extrication
Lt. Jeff Pugh has been involved in auto and heavy extrication for over 25 years as a professional Firefighter/Instructor, 4 years as a Volunteer with 17 years as a Company Officer for Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. He has competed in and helped organize extrication challenges Regionally, Nationally and Worldwide since 2000. He has sat as Chairperson as well as an active Member/Instructor of his county's Special Operations Team. He has held the position as Rescue Squad Leader for FEMA WA-TF-1 for 17 years, with training in several disciplines including Confined Space Rescue, Rope Rescue & Rigging, Trench Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Rescue systems I & II, Fire Officer I & II, CPFR Auto Extrication Instructor, Puyallup Extrication team Instructor and Puyallup Extrication Competitive extrication team member. Jeff is one of the founders and currently sits as the president of the Puyallup Extrication Team (aka PXT) that has been in existence since 2000. He is also Lead Instructor for PXT, as well as his own Department instructing Firefighters and emergency Responder throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, El Salvador,Argentina and parts of Europe. Jeff has competed at all levels of extrication challenges; Regionally, Nationally and World Challenges. He writes related training articles for Fire Engineering and is a field tester and evaluator for current models of extrication PPE and tools such as the First Responder Jack and the Extrication Tomahawk.
Lt. Jeff Pugh has been involved in auto and heavy extrication for over 25 years as a professional Firefighter/Instructor, 4 years as a Volunteer with 17 years as a Company Officer for Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. He has competed in and helped organize extrication challenges Regionally, Nationally and Worldwide since 2000. He has sat as Chairperson as well as an active Member/Instructor of his county's Special Operations Team. He has held the position as Rescue Squad Leader for FEMA WA-TF-1 for 17 years, with training in several disciplines including Confined Space Rescue, Rope Rescue & Rigging, Trench Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Rescue systems I & II, Fire Officer I & II, CPFR Auto Extrication Instructor, Puyallup Extrication team Instructor and Puyallup Extrication Competitive extrication team member. Jeff is one of the founders and currently sits as the president of the Puyallup Extrication Team (aka PXT) that has been in existence since 2000. He is also Lead Instructor for PXT, as well as his own Department instructing Firefighters and emergency Responder throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, El Salvador,Argentina and parts of Europe. Jeff has competed at all levels of extrication challenges; Regionally, Nationally and World Challenges. He writes related training articles for Fire Engineering and is a field tester and evaluator for current models of extrication PPE and tools such as the First Responder Jack and the Extrication Tomahawk.
Ryan Ahlgren ~ Prolonged Field Care
Ryan Ahlgren is an Army Vet and internationally licensed and trained CCP medic in Canada, Australia and the United States. He has worked around the world and his passion for medicine has primarily focused on prolonged field care in austere locations. From the Jungles of Papua New Guinea, to the Canadian Arctic and deserts of the Middle East, Ryan has been fortunate to have been mentored by some amazing clinicians and military members as well as continuing in his education as a PA. In his spare time, when not on international assignment, Ryan works at a level 1 Trauma hospital in Minneapolis Minnesota as a Paramedic Lecturer, and Tactical EMS Educator.
Ryan Ahlgren is an Army Vet and internationally licensed and trained CCP medic in Canada, Australia and the United States. He has worked around the world and his passion for medicine has primarily focused on prolonged field care in austere locations. From the Jungles of Papua New Guinea, to the Canadian Arctic and deserts of the Middle East, Ryan has been fortunate to have been mentored by some amazing clinicians and military members as well as continuing in his education as a PA. In his spare time, when not on international assignment, Ryan works at a level 1 Trauma hospital in Minneapolis Minnesota as a Paramedic Lecturer, and Tactical EMS Educator.
Nina Nelson ~ Crash Proof: Fitness and nutrition essentials for rescue
Nina Nelson is a CrossFit trainer and Certified nutrition coach who helps people create stronger bodies and more resilient minds, so they can overcome whatever obstacles come in their way. Her focus is in mastering the essentials- efficient physical training, smart nutrition and forging mental toughness by pushing past comfort zones.
Crash Proof~ You need to be strong, fast and prepared for a variety of physically and mentally demanding tasks. Tasks that may test you for minutes or hours. Because you never know exactly what you will encounter, you need to be crash proof~ worst case scenario fit and fueled to withstand whatever comes your way. Fitness and nutrition coach, Nina Nelson, will discuss the fitness and nutrition essentials rescue workers must master to be ready for anything.
Nina Nelson is a CrossFit trainer and Certified nutrition coach who helps people create stronger bodies and more resilient minds, so they can overcome whatever obstacles come in their way. Her focus is in mastering the essentials- efficient physical training, smart nutrition and forging mental toughness by pushing past comfort zones.
Crash Proof~ You need to be strong, fast and prepared for a variety of physically and mentally demanding tasks. Tasks that may test you for minutes or hours. Because you never know exactly what you will encounter, you need to be crash proof~ worst case scenario fit and fueled to withstand whatever comes your way. Fitness and nutrition coach, Nina Nelson, will discuss the fitness and nutrition essentials rescue workers must master to be ready for anything.
Micah Rush~
Micah Rush, IFMGA/AMGA certified Mountain guide, ITRA assessor and level III rope/ confined space advanced instructor and owner of Peak Rescue, began humbly as an indoor gym owner seeking the next best line in the mountains and on the rock. He was then hired as a paid firefighter for the City of Casper and a guide with Exum Mountain Guides. Already a well traveled climber, mountaineer, and skier, he became interested in developing and refining his rescue skills focusing on specialty rescues. Micah quickly became the go-to person in his region for specialized rescue, with his calm head, rational and sound judgement, and extensive knowledge. Through the many years of training, he was able to see the silos that are often developed within each rescue faction and began melding the techniques to make rescue more efficient. He founded Peak Rescue with the vision of finding the most efficient way to perform and teach rescue, specific to individual rescues and teams.
Micah Rush, IFMGA/AMGA certified Mountain guide, ITRA assessor and level III rope/ confined space advanced instructor and owner of Peak Rescue, began humbly as an indoor gym owner seeking the next best line in the mountains and on the rock. He was then hired as a paid firefighter for the City of Casper and a guide with Exum Mountain Guides. Already a well traveled climber, mountaineer, and skier, he became interested in developing and refining his rescue skills focusing on specialty rescues. Micah quickly became the go-to person in his region for specialized rescue, with his calm head, rational and sound judgement, and extensive knowledge. Through the many years of training, he was able to see the silos that are often developed within each rescue faction and began melding the techniques to make rescue more efficient. He founded Peak Rescue with the vision of finding the most efficient way to perform and teach rescue, specific to individual rescues and teams.
John Hall ~ MRAD ( Minimalist Rescue Ascent Descent )
John Hall is a 30 year veteran of emergency service work and has worked and volunteered with Search and Rescue, Mountain Rescue, Dive Rescue, and multiple Fire Departments. John is the founder, organizer and a member of Team Mercworks which provided Disaster Aid relief in Haiti 10 days after the January 2010 earthquake. He currently works for the City of Port Angeles as a Firefighter/Paramedic, and he is the Special Operations Captain for Clallam County Fire District #2. John has been teaching various rescue disciplines since 1997 including wilderness SAR, Rope Rescue, Heavy Rescue and Swift Water rescue.
John will be discussing and teaching the implementation of the Minimalist Rescue Ascent Descent (MRAD) system. Designed in-house at Paratekk Rescue, MRAD was created to allow a single rescuer the ability to raise and lower a two person load.
John Hall is a 30 year veteran of emergency service work and has worked and volunteered with Search and Rescue, Mountain Rescue, Dive Rescue, and multiple Fire Departments. John is the founder, organizer and a member of Team Mercworks which provided Disaster Aid relief in Haiti 10 days after the January 2010 earthquake. He currently works for the City of Port Angeles as a Firefighter/Paramedic, and he is the Special Operations Captain for Clallam County Fire District #2. John has been teaching various rescue disciplines since 1997 including wilderness SAR, Rope Rescue, Heavy Rescue and Swift Water rescue.
John will be discussing and teaching the implementation of the Minimalist Rescue Ascent Descent (MRAD) system. Designed in-house at Paratekk Rescue, MRAD was created to allow a single rescuer the ability to raise and lower a two person load.
lectures and demonstrations
In support of the local community, we will have lectures and demonstrations at various locations. The goal is to bring business and recognition to many of the wonderful entrepreneurs here in Central Oregon and their establishments. This will also provide for more intimate settings to encourage questions and discussions about lecture topics. The design is to open a topic with a lecture, have a Q&A period and then an open discussion to promote learning and knowledge sharing.
The Competition
~Skills Competition~
This is a friendly competition centered around the skills that all technician level rescuers possess. There are a total of six stations which will be rotated through by each of the teams. All of the stations will have a judge and safety officer awarding points for the completion of individual and team accomplishments. Additionally, there are some challenges which can be performed with a hobbling of some kind (blindfolded, one hand tied behind your back, completed without speaking...) Which will have the effect of a point multiplier after the task has been completed. Most of these will occur low to the ground and are designed to be a fun application of rope rescue rigging skills.
~Scenario Evaluation~
The scenario evaluation will be set up one half the number of stations as there are teams competing. For each scenario one team will perform the rescue and one team will evaluate that rescue. Then, the teams will switch both scenarios and roles, with evaluators becoming rescuers and rescuers becoming evaluators.
~Equipment list~
There is no predetermined equipment list required to participate. There will however be a need for two points of contact/ connection at all times when working in the vertical realm. Evaluation of safety factor will be done based on the industry from which the rescue team works. All rescue teams should be equipped to handle a low angle rescue, a steep or vertical rescue and personally ascend or descend a rope system.
*International Teams are responsible for supplying their own English interpreter for safety reasons. The Interpreter must be at the Rope Technician certification level.
This is a friendly competition centered around the skills that all technician level rescuers possess. There are a total of six stations which will be rotated through by each of the teams. All of the stations will have a judge and safety officer awarding points for the completion of individual and team accomplishments. Additionally, there are some challenges which can be performed with a hobbling of some kind (blindfolded, one hand tied behind your back, completed without speaking...) Which will have the effect of a point multiplier after the task has been completed. Most of these will occur low to the ground and are designed to be a fun application of rope rescue rigging skills.
~Scenario Evaluation~
The scenario evaluation will be set up one half the number of stations as there are teams competing. For each scenario one team will perform the rescue and one team will evaluate that rescue. Then, the teams will switch both scenarios and roles, with evaluators becoming rescuers and rescuers becoming evaluators.
~Equipment list~
There is no predetermined equipment list required to participate. There will however be a need for two points of contact/ connection at all times when working in the vertical realm. Evaluation of safety factor will be done based on the industry from which the rescue team works. All rescue teams should be equipped to handle a low angle rescue, a steep or vertical rescue and personally ascend or descend a rope system.
*International Teams are responsible for supplying their own English interpreter for safety reasons. The Interpreter must be at the Rope Technician certification level.
Competing Rescue Teams
organization and manufacture participants
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cost
4 day Conference and competition Attendee: $425
Competing Rescue Team: $1000
(for a 4-6 person team, includes all 4 days)
Competing Rescue Team: $1000
(for a 4-6 person team, includes all 4 days)
lodging
We would love to have great room rates on offer for you and your team, However, we are committed to supporting local economies wherever we are in the world. There a many wonderful locally owned and operated house rentals, B&B's and small hotels here in Central Oregon, we request that you look for these options first.
Travel
The conference will be held in Bend, Oregon with the rope skills competitions at Smith Rocks State park. The nearest airport is Redmond International Airport in Redmond, Oregon.