National Mountain Bike Patrol

Training Powerpoint
Version 3.0
Revised January 2009

IMBAs Mission
The International Mountain Bicycling
Association is a non-profit educational
association whose mission is to create,
enhance and preserve great trail
experiences for mountain bikers
worldwide.

NMBP Mission
The NMBP consists of dedicated volunteers
partnering with land mangers, land owners and
emergency personnel, to assist, educate and
inform all trail users in order to enhance their
recreational experience.
Assist in medical and mechanical emergencies
Educate trail users of proper etiquette
Inform land managers, owners and trail users of trail
conditions through monitoring efforts

NMBP By the Numbers

60 Patrol Units
500 Individual Patrollers
Created in 1995
www.nmbp.org

Overview

Description of Duties
Working with Your Land Manager
Trail and Environment Issues
Trailside Bike Repair
First Aid/Emergency Care
Two-Way Radio
NMBP Sponsors

Description of Duties

Responsibilities
Qualifications
Personal Risk Management
Enforcement is NOT a function of the
NMBP

Description of Duties
Responsibilities
Adhere to patrol schedule
Represent the NMBP and IMBA in a professional
manner
Maintain patrol equipment
Wear patrol uniform
Assist injured, ill or lost trail users
Complete incident reports and/or log sheets
Interact with trail users, emergency staff and land
management agencies
Educate trail users

Description of Duties
Qualifications
Satisfy established training requirements

First aid/CPR certification

Communication equipment skills
Interpersonal skills
Interagency relations
Trail/ environmental issues
Orienteering
Riding skills
Trailside bike repair

Know and follow local policies and procedures

Know personal limitations
Maintain your equipment

Description of Duties
Personal Risk Management
Stay within your limits
Know the difference between personal and patrol
group insurance and health coverage
Dress for weather conditions be prepared for the
unexpected
Keep your bike and gear in good working condition
Carry extra water and food

Working with Land Management

Patrol/Land Manager Relationship

Getting Started
Liability and Insurance
Meeting with the Land Manager

Patrol/Land Management Relationship

A good working relationship with local land
managers is the most important
component of a successful mountain bike
patrol.

Getting Started
Find out who is responsible for managing the
park or trails
Meet with them to explain the advantages of
having a volunteer patrol
Ask for consent and permission to patrol

Meeting Land Managers

Benefits of having a patrol
Act as eyes and ears for the land manager
Report trail conditions
Provide trail management advice
Provide assistance to trail users
Perform trail maintenance

Liability and Insurance

Protected by the Good Samaritan Act in most
states
Patrol insurance provided by IMBA/NMBP
Coverage from land management agency

Trail Issues
Environmental
Social
Rules of the Trail

Environmental Issues
Trail damage is caused by poor
drainage - not mountain bikes.

Social Issues
Safety
Respect

IMBAs Rules of the Trail

Ride on open trails only
Leave no trace
Control your bicycle
Always yield the trail
Never scare animals
Plan ahead

Trailside Bike Repair

Training
Standard field repairs
Tools and spare parts
Legal issues

Trailside Bike Repair

Training Partner with a local bike shop

Flat repair
Chain repair
Derailleur repair
Saddle adjustment
Brake adjustment
Basic spoke and wheel repair

Suggested Tool Kit

Multi tool

Pump

Chain tool

Patch kits

Allen wrenches

Tubes

Phillips & flat head

screwdriver

Duct tape

Adjustable wrench
Spoke wrench
Tire levers

Zip ties
Cables
Tire boot
Torx T-25 wrench

Trailside Bike Repair

Legal Issues
Avoid performing mechanical aid when
possible
Supply the rider with tools and advice
Use common sense
Abide by your land managers policies

First Aid/Emergency Care

Local protocols
First Aid kit contents
Legal issues

First Aid/Emergency Care

Local Protocols: Uniformity of Care
If your group decides to seek a higher level of
certification, make sure your treatment protocol meets
the standards and requirements of local emergency
facilities.

First Aid/Emergency Care

Rubber gloves (4 pr)

Cravats (5)
Glucose tablets
Safety pins (10)
Adhesive bandages (12)
Knife (Swiss Army-type)*
Lighter*
Kling (4 rolls)
Small notebook*
Ice pack
4 x 4 bandages (12)
Incident report sheets*
Bug repellent*
5 x 9 bandages (2)

Trauma scissors
Compass*
Adhesive tape
Pocket mask
Trail maps (10)
Wire (SAM) splint
1-4 oz. eye wash
Water purification pills
4-oz. tube antibiotic creme
4-oz. bottle sunscreen
Antiseptic towlettes
Space blanket
Ace bandage
6 tongue depressors
Signal mirror (old CD works great)

Legal Issues
Most states have Good Samaritan laws
These laws vary from state-to-state.
Find out what the law is in your state
Note: Medication, lotions, bug repellents,
salves, etc. should only be provided, never
applied by the patroller.

Communications
Cell phones
Amateur radio
HAM radio

Communication Skills
The mountain bike patroller will:
Know technical aspects of using a two-way
radio and cellular phones
Know how to contact and provide feedback to
the trail steward, club and land manager
Demonstrate the ability to interact effectively
with the trail users (hikers, horses and bikers.)

2-Way Radio Communication

151.625 MHz frequency is licensed to IMBA by the FCC
for the NMBP program.
In the event of life-threatening emergency, patrollers
can transmit on any frequency (including 155.160 or
other special emergency frequencies monitored by
hospitals or emergency agencies) to call for help.
Use of the NMBP call sign is restricted to NMBP member
groups/individuals. The NMBP call sign is: WPLT262.

NMBP Supporters

The Goal of the NMBP

Maintain and promote trail opportunities for the
sport of mountain biking through:
Assisting
Educating
Informing
And dont forget to have fun!