In order to minimize the amount of fatalities at the Summit at Snoqualmie, ski patrol will be hosting a free to the public, CPR training classes.

Tammy Ross, pro patroller at Alpental Ski Area, had the idea to host a class in wake of a recent incident on-site. Skiers can drop-in for 20 to 30 minutes and learn the basics of CPR using medical grade equipment. The incident at Alpental involved Richard Glade, 45, who fell into a tree well face down. He was pulled out by other skiers in the area within minutes, but was unresponsive. Ski patrol performed CPR on scene and were unable to revive the man.

“If high quality CPR was given with chest compressions and breaths via barrier mask, the outcome may have been different,” Ross said. “Our goal is to bring awareness to the importance of starting CPR in any event when someone is not responsive and is not breathing normally or not breathing at all. Along with learning good chest compression, we will also be focusing on giving breaths,” Ross said.

The open CPR training will be held on Jan. 21 and 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

Each of the four ski resorts at Snoqualmie will be holding sessions.

At Alpental, the class will be held at the David Pettigrew Foundation Safety Building at the top of Armstrong Express. Summit West will hold its class at the Ski Patrol building located just east of the Pacific Crest chairlift, Central Summit at the Silver Fir lodge and Summit East will be hosting its class at the top of Hyak Face.

“Participants will be given instruction and practice on manikins and thanks to the sponsors of the event they will leave with a Friends and Family book, wallet card with instructions and a keychain barrier to be used when giving mouth to mouth,” Ross stated.

This event was put on by donations from Lifetrek inc, Laerdale, CPR Savers, Gifts by Design and the Summit at
Snoqualmie.