It can be tremendously rewarding, but becoming a member of Vernon Search and Rescue is not for everyone.

VSAR is currently looking for volunteers and will be accepting applications until the end of the month, but be warned, the volunteer job can be difficult and time consuming.

Members say there is nothing as rewarding as saving someone who is lost or injured, but the rescues don't always have a happy ending.

Dan Hoekstra, VSAR president, said the commitment to become a member is also very time consuming. Initial training takes place three nights a week for eight weeks.

From then on, training takes place once a week on top of community events and, of course, rescue call-outs.

“It takes a lot of commitment,” said Hoekstra. “It's not for everybody. It's for somebody that is community-driven, somebody with strong abilities in the back country, somebody who is a team player.”

The demands can be high, but so can the rewards.

On top the sense of pride of being part of such a group, there is the satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference.

“It's the reward of giving back. Helping people who need your help in that moment of crisis,” said Hoekstra. “And when you have rescued somebody or saved somebody, you can't put words to that. It is very rewarding.”

Anyone interested in becoming a VSAR member can apply online or through Facebook.