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In memory of Michael Swangard

Dear members of ICAR MEDCOM

Michael Swangard, honorary member of ICAR and outstanding member of our commission passed away on Sunday, June 4th.
For many years Michael was representing Canada in our Commission, not only as a member of Canadian Ski Patrol but more or less for all organisations dealing with mountain rescue. He was also a founding member of the CSMM (Canadian Society for Mountain Medicine). Ski patrollers throughout BC only called him " doc", he was the spirit of this organization and established the curriculum of medical assessment and treatment. In those days his work was far ahead of our training and teaching methods. When the discussion in our commission got stuck, he presented a new approach and brought the matter forward.
We will miss the friendly and focused discussions with Michael.

I personally lost a close friend remembering many nice days on his sailboat and his home in Mission BC and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

My thoughts are with Kathy Swangard and we wish her all the strength she needs.

Fidel Elsenson

The attached picture presents Kathy & Michael in Port Hardy, BC in 2016