Regional SAR volunteers have been busy lately, which is a concern given risks associated with COVID-19. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

warning call

Regional SAR officials preach common sense as call volumes rise

Jul 26, 2020 | 7:16 AM

NANAIMO — COVID-19 health risks has search and rescue crews on the mid island pleading to outdoor enthusiasts to help cut back on preventable call-outs.

Arrowsmith SAR president Nick Rivers said people may not realize the extra precautions required to keep their volunteers and lost or injured subjects safe.

He said regularly disinfecting and marking every piece of equipment can double or triple the time it takes to get subjects to hospital.

“That process takes up time, takes up people, takes up an immense amount of cleaning supplies,” Rivers said, who noted their organization seeing their typical annual bump in people getting injured outdoors.

Rivers said everybody is at risk when their crews come in close contact with subjects they don’t know, adding items like hand sanitizer, masks and goggles are regularly used by their members.

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Rivers said it can take ten additional volunteers to properly sanitize their gear.

He preached the importance of not “testing your limits” when it comes to attacking a challenging trail for example.

“There will be another time in the future when things are a little easier in the future and we can more safely and efficiently assist when needed.”

Injured mountain bike riders and lost hikers have been among the calls Arrowsmith SAR officials have responded to lately.

Nanaimo SAR manager Dave Stewart said their organization has also seen a sharp rise in calls for help lately, pointing to four incidents in a recent five day stretch.

The organization responded to a pair of distressed swimmers at Nanaimo River on back-to-back days, including a near-drowning.

Nanaimo SAR helped find a missing man with dementia late Friday afternoon.

Stewart said lessening the risk of spreading COVID-19 is constantly on the minds of their volunteers.

“It’s an issue that we are addressing and need to minimize that risk to our members and one way to do that would be to reduce the call-out volume.”

He said their organization is busiest in the spring and early summer, and that they do have enough dedicated volunteers to properly serve the public.

Nanaimo RCMP issued a recent news release outlining the notable jump in recent call-outs for SAR officials and the need for outdoor enthusiasts to take appropriate precautions.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes