Outdoor Emergency Care
The Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) program is one of the foundational programs for all patrollers. The overlying mission and purpose of the OEC program is to provide a standard of training to meet the medical and educational needs for the NSP patroller and other NSP affiliated outdoor recreational organizations. OEC teaches how to perform safe and effective patient care, stabilization, and extrication of injured persons in outdoor environments.
OEC Administrators
Please contact the administrator in your region.
Senior Program
OEC Module of the Senior Program (OECMSP)
Outdoor First Care
Outdoor First Care is our first aid course for mountain hosts.
OEC Program Objective
The Outdoor Emergency Care Program Objective is to prepare you to handle any medical situation you may encounter as an OEC technician. This unique program trains you to provide care in the outdoor environment, during all seasons. This objective is met by establishing a national standard of medical training and delivering consistent training to its membership.
Program Structure
The Outdoor Emergency Care course consists of a number of minimum requirements needed to certify an individual as an Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Technician. The current National course enrollment fee is $150 and certification is on a three year basis but an annual refresher is required to maintain active credentials. In an OEC course, you will learn about many aspects of outdoor care, including the below key responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
- •Performing safe and effective stabilization and extrication of injured persons in the outdoor environment.
- •Scene safety (identifying hazards to both responders and visitors).
- •Safe and efficient use of outdoor emergency care skills to prevent further injury to visitors.
- •Form a plan of care to move the patient successfully to the next, higher level of care.
Please contact a Resort or a Regional OEC administrator in your area for course opportunities.
OEC Administrators
Assistant
OEC Supervisor
Regional OEC Administrators
Blue Ridge Region
High South Region
Virginia Region
Example of a Patient Assessment in action
Outdoor First Care Content
Outdoor First Care is our first aid course for mountain hosts. In order to become a mountain host on a host unit, the person must take an Outdoor First Care course and maintain the certification every two years.
Outdoor First Care is a first aid course taught primarily to personnel at ski resorts and to other individuals who need a basic/introductory first aid course meeting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for workplace first aid. It is designed primarily for use in the NSP Mountain Host program, and is now available for other purposes as well. OFC teaches students how to recognize patient problems, manage life threats, conduct basic skills and call for help. The OFC provider may assist the patroller or higher medical provider as directed or allowed by area management.
Outdoor First Care Renewal
OFC certification is good for two years at which time an OFC Refresher course can be taken to maintain certification.
OEC Downloads
- OECMSP Training Completion Log
- 2025 OEC Cycle C Refresher Case Report Presentation
- NSP Senior Application
- OEC Modified Challenge Instruction & Manual Skills Checklist
- Senior OEC training scenarios – Appendix G
- Aid Room Module of the Senior Program Manual 2018
- Senior OEC Manual 2024
- OEC Instructor Observation Form
- OEC Roadmap to Becoming an Instructor
- OEC Enhancement Seminars
- OEC Instructors Manual 6th ed
- OEC – Guide for Proctoring Online Exams
- OEC_OEC-Hybrid-Instructor-Guide for Student Progress in the LMS
- OEC Hybrid Course Online Centers for Learning.