Revelstoke Search and Rescue kept busy at end of March, has words of advice for people

Photo: REVSAR file photo

Revelstoke Search and Rescue ended March on a very busy note.

The group of volunteers responded to five calls in 72 hours according to a March 30 post on their Facebook page.

“Thankfully everyone returned home safe. Sometimes we wonder however if everyone understands the limitations of search and rescue’s 100 per cent volunteer service,” said the post.

However, they were not referring to the number of calls, but rather the expectations of those being rescued.

“We are always happy to help. We rescue you. We don’t rescue your stuff,” the post said. “New sled with a mechanical issue? Nope. Touring gear that can’t fit in the heli basket? Nope. Gloves you’ve left on the ground after we've taken-off? Nope.”

REVSAR said people need to be prepared before heading out.

To the “greatest degree possible” people should be prepared for self rescue and to know where they are going and how long it will take to get there and back and what they would do if they couldn’t get back in time.

“These details get sorted out if you make a trip plan, takes five minutes. Run through a couple scenarios of things that could go wrong. SAR should not be the preferred way out, it should be your last resort.”

When the 100 or so volunteers get a call, they drop what they are doing – having dinner, home projects, sleeping – and “happily head out with the goal of bringing those needing help back to safety. We don’t mind the grey-area calls, the ones where you called early, out of precaution, and everything resolved quickly. We’re not thrilled about the ones where other options to return yourself to safety clearly existed, but a heli-lift was seen as a nicer option.”

REVSAR has responded to 46 calls over the winter.