Backcountry users reminded to use caution as SAR teams see increase in incidents - Action News
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British Columbia

Backcountry users reminded to use caution as SAR teams see increase in incidents

Adventure Smart says search and rescue incidents increased 35 per cent last week, compared to the same time last year and during the COVID-19 pandemic, SAR teams have to do extra work for each call.

Adventure Smart says search and rescue incidents increased 35% last week, compared to same time last year

A man hikes up a rocky hill.
People heading into the woods are asked to be prepared and make safe choices to reduce the number of search and rescue calls volunteers have to attend. (Cegli/Shutterstock)

Adventure Smart says search and rescue incidents increased 35 per centlast week across British Columbia, compared to the same time last year and during the COVID-19 pandemic, SAR teams have to do extra work for each call.

The non-profit, funded by the B.C. Search and Rescue Association, said in the early days of the pandemic, incidents had decreased by 50 per cent, but by Easter weekend, they had returned to average and now it appears more people are requiring help in the woods.

"It's a little disheartening, there's no question," said Sandra Riches, executive director of Adventure Smart, adding that she wants people in the woods to make aneffort to reduce the number and intensity of rescues.

"What we're doing is trying to encourage more conservative decision making," she said.

Riches said during the pandemic, the 2,500 SAR volunteers across the province have to take extra steps to ensure they stayhealthy and safe. There's physical distancing at command posts, additional personal protective equipment, but also routine disinfecting of all equipment used during a call, which adds considerable time and effort.

North Shore Rescue volunteers are pictured at a training session in 2019 near the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve in North Vancouver. (Clare Hennig/CBC)

She said to avoid the need for a rescue, people can remember the three Ts: Trip planning, training, and taking the essentials.

Some trails have been closedby local authorities, and the B.C. government shut down provincial parks as part of its COVID-19 response, but many trails are still open, and health officials have encouraged people to stay active, pointing out that the virus doesn't fare very well outside.

Premier John Horgan announced this week that some provincial parks will be reopened for day use in time for the May long weekend.

Riches said she hopes people remember tochoose low-risk activities, give other trail users space, and enjoy recreation close to homerather than travelling at all.

Each year, B.C.'s SAR volunteers respond to about 1,700 calls, she said.


Do you have more to add to this story? Email rafferty.baker@cbc.ca

Follow Rafferty Baker on Twitter: @raffertybaker

Corrections

  • A previous version of this story included an incorrect number of volunteers and average SAR incidents per year.
    May 10, 2020 11:01 AM PT