St John intensive care paramedic Colin McGee, originally from Invercargill, brought his 18 years of experience to his new Queenstown-based post as liaison with ski area operators and other organisations involved in the transport of ill or injured patients.
Mr McGee said yesterday the role, which began on June 11 and would end when the skifields closed, was crucial in ensuring patients received the best possible care in the quickest possible time.
"My role is to provide advice, liaise with people involved in the ski industry in both Queenstown and Wanaka and, if problems arise, find solutions that ultimately help our patients."
St John Queenstown operations team manager Alana Reid said ambulance officers based at Frankton had treated and transported 30 snow sports enthusiasts from Coronet Peak and the Remarkables ski areas since the winter season began on June 9.
The cases were on top of the 110 other callouts crews responded to between the same dates.
Ms Reid said the most common injuries which required St John assistance on Wakatipu ski areas were limb fractures and soft-tissue knee and wrist damage.
Patients were a mixture of novice and experienced skiers and snowboarders, residents and visitors, she said.
St John anticipated a busier winter than last year, which was shortened by the late arrival of snow and because tourists attended the Rugby World Cup instead, or avoided New Zealand because of the tournament.
The Queenstown Winter Festival and the school holidays attracted more people to the ski areas than at any other time in the season and consequently saw the highest spikes in ambulance call-outs. Visitors also brought chronic illnesses with them and winter temperatures caused more ailments.
An extra four ambulance officers were on the winter roster, which took the complement to a dozen officers with access to three 4WD medical emergency vehicles seven days a week.
It took about 30 minutes to respond from the Frankton station to Coronet Peak and about 45 minutes from the station to the Remarkables, depending on road conditions.
Both Wakatipu ski areas employed a doctor and nurse, who assessed patients and decided the best course of action, Ms Reid said.
"Either a direct helicopter transfer to Invercargill if it's serious and life- or limb-threatening, or Dunedin for its neurological unit if it's a head or facial injury.
"The bulk of the injuries are treated in the district.
"We can continue the treatment started en route to Lakes District Hospital, or Queenstown Accident and Medical on Isle St."
Asked for welfare advice for snow sports enthusiasts, Ms Reid said they should "be prepared, well-equipped, well-dressed, well-hydrated, well-fed and be responsible.
"Everyone should know first aid. It gives them confidence when confronted with an injury, of either themselves or someone else."
