Rescue Season FAQ

How much do you know about LBSAR?

Photo courtesy LBSAR.

Sunny skies and warm temperatures have local hikers shaking the dust off their hiking boots, and poring over local trail maps. But for Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR), the increasing number of hikers in the wilderness means the start of rescue season.

Of course, with winter hiking and the ever-increasing number of adventurers taking advantage of the great outdoors, it's never really NOT rescue season for LBSAR. They have been tasked with a number of searches over past months, from finding missing persons to plucking stranded climbers off a snowy mountainside. In the first week of May alone they took part in five separate rescues.

But what triggers a call in the first place? And who decides when a missing or stranded hiker becomes an emergency situation?

LBSAR Manager Ed Langford is ready with the answers to these frequently asked questions.

According to Langford, Search and Rescue organizations operate under the umbrella of the Provincial Attorney General  and Ministry of Climate Action and Emergency Readiness (EMCR). LBSAR typically reports to the RCMP during any given call, and is mainly sent out on tasks by Emergency Management BC via their call centre in Victoria.

"SAR tasking is often the result of a 911 call that is routed to Police, Ambulance or Fire based on the nature of the reporting individuals situation," Langford explains. "For missing persons or overdue hikers, its often the RCMP that contact SAR. And for injured hikers, SAR calls are often routed through the Emergency Health Services, in other words, BC Ambulance."

LBSAR is also on call when other organizations require mutual aid. This can include Lions Bay Fire Rescue (LBFR) if initial injuries are reported to the fire department but members are out of their regular response area, or the injured person is higher up the mountain. This can also include mutual aid requested by other SAR teams throughout BC and down to the state of Washington. In one memorable incident, LBSAR sent members to search for a Canadian resident who was lost in mountainous terrain in Australia.

When it comes to day-to-day decision making, Langford says it very much depends on the situation.

"For local and closely accessible sprains and strains, vehicle access accompanied by a stretcher may be all that is needed," he says.

But many rescues in the local mountains require the use of more complex equipment than that which can be easily hiked into the woods. Langford says the rationale for using a helicopter for a rescue is based on a number of factors, including:

• What is the nature and severity of the injury?

• Is the subject alone?

• Is the injured person very young or old?

• Are the subjects sufficiently equipped to wait the time it will take for rescuers to reach their location?

• What is the distance and time required for rescuers to reach the injured subject?

• Is the weather changing or deteriorating?

• What are the potential risks to searchers? If they have to travel into complicated terrain to assist a subject, (as over a potential avalanche site) can they manage on foot and avoid the hazard?

• How much time is required to extract the subject and how many team members will be needed?

Langford notes that if three LBSAR members in a helicopter can wrap up an incident in two hours rather then send a dozen members out by foot for an entire night, it mitigates the potential for injury to the responders and also reduces the chances of further injury to the subject.

Prior to obtaining the use of a helicopter, permission must be granted by the EMCR duty manager, once it's been requested by LBSAR. Langford says that each situation is reviewed by the LBSAR management team, and is subject to change as more information is obtained, or as the situation evolves.

While most operations require Visual Flight Regulations (meaning the pilot needs daylight to see, and no obscuring clouds),  LBSAR has recently been certified for night hover operations.

"Overall, the public is well cared for with improved medical outcomes based on rapid response and the use of aerial assets," Langford says.

The choppers themselves are contracted from private transport companies that are accredited for use by SAR. Annual training is required to maintain SAR team certifications.

Access to helicopter support can be limited, especially in summer when hot weather, low water supply and increased forest fire activity mean that SAR’s access to helicopters could be a lower priority.

Langford's best advice for hikers? "Go on your respective trips being properly prepared so you don't require SAR’s assistance."

Editor's Note: LBSAR provides rescue services without question or charge. Donations to help replace equipment and gear can be made HERE, on their website.

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