NMBP Exam Review Guide
The guide is intended to serve as a short refresher to help patrollers study for the annual NMBP online exam. Ideally, patrol directors and instructors will review with their patrollers as a group. It is also recommended to review the NMBP Handbook.
Trail etiquette
A patroller's role is to assist, educate and inform. Enforcement is not part of patrolling. When conflicts erupt, patrollers should strive for neutrality.
Be familiar with who has the right of way while on the trail. For instance, a rider going uphill has the right of way, and a rider coming downhill must yield. Hikers and equestrians have the right of way over any cyclist.
Sometimes you will approach a slower rider from behind. The best way to handle this situation is to approach carefully, state your intent to pass by announcing "On your left" and, if safe, pass cautiously.
As a rule, patrollers must obey trail closures unless other arrangements have been made with land managers. These include but are not limited to closures for muddy conditions, unsafe trail conditions and closures for other uses, such as hunting.
While patrolling, take the time to address issues such as fallen branches on the trail, trailside garbage or anything that appears suspicious. In most cases, the patrollers are the eyes and ears of the land managers, and they spend enough time on the trails to resolve small issues before they become larger problems.
Emergency Procedure
Generally, in case of an injury or emergency, it is best to play it safe and resort to dialing either 911 or the local emergency services phone number. Naturally, each local chapter has its own unique protocol. These will not be tested, as they are not nationally standardized.
Refresh your first aid training with a checklist or study card. The more frequently this is done, the more automatic your response to a medical emergency will become. Here are a few items to keep in mind:
- Be cautious in treating a rider who has crashed and might have suffered a neck or back injury.
- Do not attempt to move someone who may have neck or back injuries; unless they are in grave risk of additional injuries or other danger they should be left in place.
- For a bleeding wound, the preferred treatment is direct pressure applied to the wound with a sterile dressing.
- For an individual who is suffering from heat exhaustion, the best treatment is to get the individual into the shade and to cool him/her with small amounts of water.
- Never supply drink to someone that you suspect has internal injuries.
Risk Management
It is important to not take on more then your role permits. A patroller should be the land manager or trail steward's eyes and ears. That does not necessarily give every patroller authority to make trail changes.
It is important to remember that enforcement is not a patroller's role. Patrollers must take an "assist, educate and inform" role and attitude whenever on patrol. When faced with inappropriate behavior, actions like explaining why one must wear a helmet while riding, or why cutting new trail without the proper permission could result in trail closures, is sufficient.
It is important to approach trail users in a friendly manner. Always keep yourself out of harm's way, especially when encountering hostile individuals. Often, a patroller's best resource is the local land manager's contact information to call in case of conflict or emergency.
Communication Skills
A common scenario involves two or more individuals arguing or disagreeing over use or access to a particular trail or property. These situations can be difficult for a patroller. If the disagreement involves a trail user (hiker, runner, equestrian) other then a mountain biker, be aware that in most cases you will be grouped with the other mountain biker. There are several things that can reduce this misperception. First, it is a good idea to remove sunglasses and, if possible, your helmet. Try to relate to both parties by giving examples: "when I hike here..." or "while on vacation last year, I went on a trail ride on this horse that..." Do whatever it takes to facilitate communication, trying to not take sides, but to listen to the issue(s).
When communicating with land managers, be careful not to enter into agreements you are not authorized to make. Do not be in a rush to ride off. Take time to understand what is being discussed. Always remember that you have the fallback of saying, "I will need to follow-up or discuss this with the patrol director, another patroller, the trail steward or other resource (such as IMBA).
Miscellaneous
When you come across a fellow rider with a trailside mechanical issue, it is best to first offer to lend them the required tool(s) and materials to make the repair themselves. If that fails, offer to help instruct them how to perform the repair, rather than taking everything into your own hands. Keep in mind that you should help get the bike back into rideable condition, not perform a trailside tune-up or make fit adjustments.
