(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

SEARCH AND RESCUE SAFETY

Kamloops Search and Rescue stressing outdoor preparation after busy week of call outs

Dec 4, 2019 | 4:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Search and Rescue has been dealing with an influx of call outs over the last several days, and says it has turned out to be one of 2019’s busiest weeks.

After a two-month quiet period, KSAR Search Manager Alan Hobler says they’re been working through one of the most active weeks so far this year.

“Probably the busiest week in quite a spell. We’ve had about 6 call outs in 9 days now.”

Despite how busy the group has been, the effort put into searches has not suffered. With about 30 members on the call list, Hobler says KSAR has been able to have about 10 of its volunteers regularly show up to the different searches.

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“A lot of the calls recently have been hunters. And with the cold weather as well, I think that might have contributed to it a little bit. And what we’re seeing is hunters are going out not quite prepared.”

No matter what level of outdoorsmanship someone has, Search and Rescue recommends using resources like Adventure Smart’s website before heading out.

The source has a list of equipment needed for certain activities, and a template to make a trip plan- which in the winter time, can mean avoiding a deadly situation.

“For survivability for our subjects and their ability to be able to response to searchers, that time period narrows (during winter),” explains Hobler, “So the response urgency increases significantly.”

Part of preparation include checking if the area is safe to be in, which can apply to any sort of alpine activity in the mountains, or a lower elevation ice fishing trip on a lake.

Dr. Iain Stewart-Patterson with Thompson Rivers University’s Adventure Studies program just returned from teaching an avalanche course for the Canadian Avalanche Association Industry Training Program.

He says as soon as there is enough snow to cover the ground, avalanches are a real possibility.

“Avalanche Canada – their public hazard forecast, their bulletin just started coming out last week, so it’s game on,” he says, “Typically the people who get into trouble are the ones who don’t think they’re in trouble. People who are unprepared. Skiing out-of-bounds in a ski area is classic. Duck a rope, thinking that you’re still within the risk management confines of a ski area, but not recognizing that that is not an area that is patrolled or controlled by a ski area.”

Communication is key for any outdoor excursion, and Stewart-Patterson says that goes beyond telling someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.

“Biggest challenge or problem or mistake that people make is just relying on their cell phone, and thinking that that will be fine. And when the battery dies and it gets dark- then they’re lost.”

No matter how long you plan to be outside for, he says having the right gear for the right activity can make a huge difference.

“A light source other than a cell phone, some way to start a fire would be advantageous – so a lighter or matches. Navigation- knowing where you’re going,” he says, “Food, water, extra clothing.”

Being prepared doesn’t just apply for people who are intentionally headed outside, as Stewart-Patterson notes the unpredictability of mountain highways.

“Even if you’re just in your car on the Coquihalla, and you’re wearing shorts or a t-shirt because you’ve got the heater on- if your car goes in the ditch and it’s minus 10 or 20 degrees, then you’ve got a problem.”

Should a worst case scenario play out, search professionals recommend at the very least, use the equipment brought to make yourself warm, and stay in a visible spot to wait for help to arrive.

For more tips, AdventureSmart.ca can be accessed here.