Edmonton Zone CSP provided first aid coverage for the 2018 Cold Lake Air Show. This opportunity was arranged by Benoit Côté, Patrol Leader of Kinosoo Ridge. A team of nine Edmonton Zone patrollers worked the event on both days, coordinated and led by veteran Camelherder and keen photographer Tim Ellis (who provided most of the photographs used in this post). Our volunteers camped at Kinosoo Ridge and arrived sleep-deprived at CFB Cold Lake on Saturday morning after enjoying an epic early-morning (0100-0400) three-hour hail, rain, wind and light show.

Despite the weather challenges, the air show was a huge success. CSP members got to collaborate with military medics, drive golf carts, and enjoy outstanding static and air displays, including the F-22 Raptor, a P-51 Mustang and the CC-117 transport plane. Static displays (for those of you who are plane-nuts) included the legendary B-52 and the C-5M Galaxy and C-130 Hercules transport planes, as well as F-15s, F-16s, CF-18s, a KC-135 and CT-155 Hawks. There was also a USAF AWACS airborne radar plane that the public were allowed to tour.

The Cold Lake air show takes place every two years, and has been an excellent opportunity for CSP members to volunteer at a very well attended (>20,000 public) event.

Special thanks are due to Captain Lisa Broussard of 4-Wing, CFB Cold Lake, who worked hard with Benoit and Tim to ensure that CSP members could volunteer at the airshow. Edmonton Zone CSP is looking forward to volunteering at this event again in 2020.

The Edmonton Zone CSP provides first aid coverage at a range of summer events, including the 5-Peaks trail running races, the MS150 bike tour, the Tour de l’Alberta bike tour, the Sourdough Raft Race and the ITU Triathalon. These are all excellent opportunities to complement your bingo commitments and to brush up on your road-rash, wasp sting and heat-exhaustion first aid skills.