Search and rescue volunteers never stop working, whether it be rain or shine, snow or heat.
As we get closer to summer and more people head out into British Columbia’s beautiful backcountry, search and rescue teams across the province are brushing up on their training and welcoming new recruits.
From learning new rope belay techniques to helicopter rescues and dog training, these dedicated volunteers have been keeping busy this spring. Check out a few of the training sessions taken place recently.
Central Cariboo Search and Rescue
Earlier this month, the CCSAR team was busy practicing auto extractions, wildland rope rescues, GPS and navigation skills and ground search and rescue tasks.
“Never a dull moment around here with our teams continuously pushing themselves, building on their already existing skills and learning new ones,” says the volunteer group.
They are also preparing for the upcoming final examinations for members in training.
Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue
A search and rescue team out of the Sunshine Coast area recently completed two separate search dog camps on Vancouver Island and in Kelowna.
Joyce, Echo and Zulu have been busy brushing up on their skills to make sure they are up to date with their certifications.
Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue
Last week, the team of volunteers serving Abbostford, Langley and Sumas were busy learning new rope belay techniques.
The team is preparing for an expected increase in rescues on the Abby Grind, a steep but popular hiking spot in Abbotsford.
Prince George Search and Rescue
Last month, the team up in Prince George held their annual helicopter hover exit training.
More than 20 members completed this training and about 12 members brushed up their long line rescue skills.
All together, these volunteers put in more than 90 hours of training time.
Kaslo Search and Rescue
Sometimes rescue tasks are not easily accessible and that’s when the choppers get called in.
Volunteers in Kaslo were also busy with their annual hover exit training earlier this month.
They do this annual training to ensure they keep themselves and their subjects safe around helicopters.
Columbia Valley Search and Rescue
The team based out of Invermere was busy with practice medical response call outs on May 14, 2022.
Members hit up a local trail to practiced first aid and build upon their existing skills while having fun with their team members.
"A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers that came out to act as patients and to all our members who continue to dedicate their time to help those in need," says CVSAR.
Vernon Search and Rescue
About two weeks ago, four Vernon Search and Rescue members completed their swift water boat operators course.
VSAR explains that the 20 hour course allows them to operate the boats to perform rescues.
Kamloops Search and Rescue
Members of KSAR were busy on Saturday, May 14 working on stretcher evacuation rescues and rope assists.
“These sort of rescues are fairly common as we often get called out to help with getting injured persons to a waiting ambulance in a variety of challenging terrains,” explains KSAR.
Hope Search and Rescue
Four new recruits went through their final test on May 14 to become full Hope Search and Rescue members.
They were tasked with navigation, missing persons scenarios, shelter building and survival skills.
Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue
At the beginning of May, SSISAR hosted the BC Tracking Association Society course with 22 students and six instructors from eight different volunteer groups across the province.
Volunteers learned and improved their ability to track lost or missing people in various conditions.
They learned how to track direction of travel and to help SAR managers deploy teams in the most probable areas.
