Search and Rescue personnel on the mid island are pleading with people to rely on common sense before venturing in the back country. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

words of advice

SAR officials double-down on common sense messaging

Dec 19, 2020 | 7:42 AM

NANAIMO — A high-profile life-saving rescue at Little Qualicum Falls has search and rescue officials reminding people to enjoy the doors in a safe manner.

A man believed to be in his 30’s is recovering after being scooped from the falls by Arrowsmith SAR vice president Nick Rivers. Both men’s lives were at risk after the subject entered the falls clearly marked by a chain-linked fence on Saturday, Dec. 12.

A day after the stunning ordeal, Rivers told NanaimoNewsNOW while the call was the most extreme he’s responded to, technical rescues are becoming more common place.

“We’re seeing more intense type rescues. I don’t know what the cause of that is, but it’s definitely putting us at much greater risk.”

Rivers can’t pinpoint a single factor for the daring behaviour, but believes social media highlighting desirable go-to spots and smart phone technology are sending people further afield.

Shorthanded

Clippers fall short hosting Bulldogs

4h ago

off the schedule

BC Ferries preemptively cancels early Saturday sailings

11h ago

firm handshake

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

13h ago

Arrowsmith SAR responded to more than 50 incidents in 2019, most involving lost or missing people in the region’s vast backcountry.

Nanaimo SAR manager Dave Stewart said while their organization doesn’t see the number of technically taxing rescues Arrowsmith SAR does, he said they are increasingly busy.

He said having the necessary equipment, including a fully charged cell phone and the physical ability to do your intended trip, are critically important.

“Another piece is making sure they leave an accurate trip plan…if they’re not sticking to that trip plan they need to make sure they’re calling somebody when in cell service to update that,” Stewart said, who recommended people check out adventuresmart.ca to help prepare for backcountry trips.

Stewart stressed people aren’t charged when SAR responds to calls for help.

“One of the reasons for that is we do want people when they get in trouble to be comfortable calling for help,” Stewart said. “The longer they delay that the more precarious the rescue it becomes for them and for our searchers.”

Stewart said Nanaimo SAR has been tasked to many more urban searches for primarily mental health related calls in recent years.

2,500 unpaid volunteers belong to 80 ground SAR groups in the province.

Nanaimo SAR call volume data

• 2020 – 47 (so far)
• 2019 – 53
• 2018 – 53
• 2017 – 47
• 2016 – 25
• 2015 – 18

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes