What we do
BASP was formed in 1987 as the British Association of Ski Patrollers; our main aims are to represent Ski Patrollers, to standardise training and grading of Ski Patrollers, and to provide rescue and first aid services to British Ski areas. In addition to this we aim to train people to be Safe, Confident First Aiders.
BASP is a member of Federation Internationale des Patroulles de Ski. (FIPS) Every two years we send representatives to the FIPS International congress, where we share and learn with other like minded and experienced ski patrollers from all over the world. Click here for the FIPS website.
In the autumn of 1988 BASI asked BASP to provide a first aid training course for ski instructors in their training schemes. Such was the success of these initial courses that other ski organisations and a number of outdoor activity centres, soon followed suit, asking us to provide similar courses.
In 1992 BASP was approved by the Health and Safety Executive (First Aid) Regulations 1989 to run First Aid at work courses. (Reg.No. 1195/92)
Jeff teaching BASP Course
BASP has now developed a First Aid and Safety Training Scheme designed specifically for the outdoor user, drawing on the skills and experience of their Trainers, all of whom are Ski Patrollers and/or experienced rescue personnel with a wealth of mountain and first aid knowledge. Our Trainers are HSE First Aid Instructors, many of whom are qualified BASI ski instructors, Mountain Leaders or Instructors, Watersports instructors, EMT's or Paramedics, and VQ Assessors.
On 12th October 2004 BASP became a Company Limited by Guarantee - BASP UK LTD, in order to protect its members from liability and to strenghten the growing business it had become for the benefit of its members and the people who we train.
Cairngorm ski patrol team training
The main contacts within BASP are the Chairperson - Kate Hunter, Treasurer - Steven Elliott, Company Secretary and Course administrator - Fiona Gunn.
There are 135 members of BASP, of these 38 are Full members, 26 are Trainee or Probationary Patrollers and the remainder (71) are Associate members.
Associate membership is open to any person showing interest in the workings of Ski Patrolling or Rescue work. The membership entitles you to receive all BASP newsletters and other benefits. The Ski Patrol Training course must be successfully completed and assessed before Trainee status will be achieved.
To apply to be a member please follow this link and complete an application form. (9kb PDF)
Memberships runs from 1st April to 31st March each year and costs £25