Arrowsmith SAR and paramedics wait at the trailhead for an injured dirt bike rider near an expansive trail network in the Cook Creek area on Sunday, April 19. (Arrowsmith SAR)

By Ian Holmes

grueling rescue

Injured dirt bike rider north of Qualicum leads to lengthy rescue

Apr 21, 2020 | 7:10 AM

PARKSVILLE — A long and exhausting rescue of a dirt biker with a shattered leg underscores the challenges SAR teams are facing during a health pandemic.

Arrowsmith SAR president Nick Rivers said 30 of their members helped retrieve the wounded woman from a narrow dirt biking trail north of Qualicum Beach in the Cook Creek area Sunday, April 19.

Rivers said it took four hours to stretcher the woman with ropes 800 meters down difficult terrain to a waiting ground ambulance. Extra precautions were taken to distance members as much as possible, who were outfitted in masks, goggles and gloves.

“We’ve done many rescues that have taken a longer time than this one and have been more technical, but when you add in the technicality of the COVID-19 procedures, it definitely takes a toll on you,” Rivers said, who responded to the latest in a flurry of recent Arrowsmith SAR call-outs.

Rivers said the mid island area rider was with three others and sustained a broken tibia and fibula in her right leg.

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He said while two northern SAR teams were requested for use of a chopper, those arrangements couldn’t be scheduled in a timely enough fashion.

Rivers said mutual aid requests were much easier calls to make pre-COVID-19.

Eliminating cross community contamination is the route to take if possible, he said.

“We definitely consider a few of our local options first, maybe more so than we would in the past.”

It has been a busy stretch for Arrowsmith SAR over the past two weekends. Rivers said male dirt bike rider badly injured a knee on Saturday, April 18 on a trail in the Englishman River area. He said access was straight-forward and the immobilized subject was packaged and sent to hospital in under an hour.

During the Easter long weekend a lost hiker was located in the Qualicum Bay area. Rivers said he was found in good condition after spending two nights in the woods. 60 to 70 SAR officials from multiple communities looked for him.

“I don’t believe any task that we’ve responded to in the last two weeks is the fault of anybody,” Rivers said. “Accidents happen and we understand that and we’re prepared for that. Don’t hesitate to call, we’re here to help.”

Rivers said spending time outdoors during this difficult time is important for people’s mental and physical health. He advises outdoor enthusiasts stick closer to home and lessen the injury risk of their activity.

“Pick the hike that’s not in such steep, dangerous terrain or pick the watersport that doesn’t put you at risk of injury.”

Rivers said the risk to their members is heightened during a pandemic, but says they have taken ample steps to protect themselves and their rescue subjects.

Rivers estimated Arrowsmith SAR responded to 14 missing people last year and aided 35 people injured while recreating in 2019. He anticipates their crews will respond to at least one injury a weekend for the next six months.

Arrowsmith SAR has 42 active members tasked with all ground and water searches between Nanoose Bay to Cook Creek and westward to Cathedral Grove.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes