"I'm a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and there are many medical terms and protocols to keep track of," he says. "My background is in data management, so it was natural for me to create a FileMaker Pro database to manage it all."

When accidents happen on the slopes, there's no time to consult emergency manuals. Veteran skier and Sugar Bowl, CA and Royal Gorge, CO ski patrol member David Galson knows this better than almost anybody. To make sure he's up to speed with emergency medical procedures and techniques, he created a FileMaker Pro database and ported it to FileMaker Go on his iPhone.

"I'm a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and there are many medical terms and protocols to keep track of," he says. "My background is in data management, so it was natural for me to create a FileMaker Pro database to manage it all." Now Galson uses FileMaker Go on his iPad to brush up on terms and techniques. "With FileMaker Go, I can review the database when I have a few spare minutes here or there, even on the slopes. It'll help keep the knowledge fresh in my mind, which could very well be a life–saver."

Galson has skied his whole life. Data management, on the other hand, is a more recent pursuit. He worked for an environmental consulting company, collecting inspection data about buildings and remote facilities. "FileMaker Pro was the tool I used for data management," he says. "I eventually left the company I was working for to become a consultant. Now I have more free time. Skiing is one of my passions and I decided that I could devote my time and skills to the patrol."

FileMaker flashcards

Galson created several FileMaker Pro databases, including one to help him study for his EMT certification. Based on his EMT textbooks, its 650 records contain vital info on injury and illness symptoms, first aid, anatomy and pharmacology — all geared for EMTs, ski patrol members and other first responders.

Galson then created a stand–alone FileMaker Go version of his database for iPhones and iPads. "A lot of EMTs are in the field and they want to study up on the specifics during down time," he says. "And they're not necessarily in a place where they have Internet access. That's why I made it a stand–alone database that you can download to your device."