Campbell River Search and Rescue

Campbell River Search and Rescue Society is a group of dedicated volunteers who provide a vital lifeline to those who are lost or injured in the beautiful wilderness of northern Vancouver Island.

The nature of search and rescue work in British Columbia seems to be changing. Because of technology, we are doing less actual searching and more responding to calls of help from people who can tell us where they are. But the challenge for us is that we must still stay trained and ready for the next big search.

Campbell River Search and Rescue would not be a fraction of what it is today, without ongoing support from our community. Local government, service clubs, businesses and individuals have contributed enormous resources toward training, equipment and facilities, and for that we are very grateful. Tax deductible donations can be made directly through our website.

BC SAR Groups do not solicit funds by phone

Neither the BCSARA nor the Search and Rescue groups recognized by the Province as part of the Public Safety Lifeline solicit funding by telephone. You can learn more about this policy, and what to do if someone has contacted you by phone claiming to be a SAR group requesting funds here: BCSARA : Telephone Solicitation

We are #CRSAR – Meet Eric Teramura

WE ARE #CRSAR Search and Rescue works because of a dedicated group of volunteers. This dedicated group of volunteers...

We are #CRSAR – Meet Scott Ballhorn

WE ARE #CRSAR Search and Rescue works because of a dedicated group of volunteers. This dedicated group of volunteers...

We are #CRSAR- Meet Dan Toonders

WE ARE #CRSAR Search and Rescue works because of a dedicated group of volunteers. This dedicated group of volunteers...

Thanks to Westcoast Search and Rescue Society for having one of our instructors out this weekend. SAR members love sharing what they're passionate about with eachother (even when it is statistics) Hard to beat the view too! #CRSAR #LostPersonBehavior

Campbell River RCMP asking for assistance in locating missing person https://www.mycampbellrivernow.com/36083/campbell-river-rcmp-asking-for-assistance-in-locating-missing-person/
CAMPBELL RIVER, BC – Campbell River RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing resident. Jason Blake is described ... more ›

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post CRSAR members on a mutual aid search yesterday.

British Columbia Tracking Association Society Two of our members attended a tracking course this weekend on Salt Spring Island. Tracking is an essential skill for finding people, especially ones who aren't calling out for help.
Another terrific class on Salt Spring Island
Campbell River Volunteer ...

Strathcona Regional District has LIFE Kits to help save lives - Campbell River Mirror Have you picked up your LIFE kit yet? This is a great initiative that will help emergency service when medical emergencies happen in your home.
Resident pitched idea to SRD about making senior’s health info available in crisis

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post Over the weekend our members in training took part in a mock search which is part of the process of becoming volunteers for #crsar. Becoming a member of Search & Rescue in BC requires a lot of dedication and time ...

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post Being in Search and Rescue isn't all helicopter rides and rope rescues. This weekend our members in training put in a full day learning different search techniques and stretcher skills, and put their survival skills to the test during an ...

Hiker rescued after stomping SOS into snow in front of B.C.-made wildlife camera - Campbell... Signals are important and lifesaving communication when in trouble in the backcountry. Fortunately this hikers message was picked up by wildlife cameras and his story ended well!
The man was rescued after he stomped “SOS” into the snow in front ...

Did you know leaving a trip plan with someone before you go out into the wilderness greatly assists searchers if you need assistance? What information do think you should provide?

AdventureSmart Plan ahead for every adventure no matter how small it may seem!
AdventureSmart will help all Canadian families, students, outdoor enthusiasts, and tourists to better understand the risks and hazards while participating in outdoor activities.

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association Today marks an historic funding announcement for SAR prevention, our Critical Incident Stress Management program and the 80 recognized ground search and rescue groups. A sincere thank you to the Province in making this funding announcement happen.
https://www.bcsara.com/2019/03/provincial-funding-announcement/
Campbell River ...

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association https://www.facebook.com/BCSARA/videos/312133726154818?sfns=mo
Provincial search and rescue funding announcement.
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a live video.

Avalanche warning in effect for western Canada as temperatures rise An avalanche warning has been issued for recreational backcountry users in all forecast regions in western Canada, including the north-central region of Vancouver Island, due to the increase in temperatures forecasted across B.C. and Alberta. Avalanche Canada said the special ...

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post Our new members got their first taste of searching yesterday with our radio familiarization exercise. They managed to find all 25 clues we found in the woods!
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society is with Angela Janicki and 3 ...

Thrilled to kick off our GSAR course for 2019 with a packed house. In addition to our GSAR students, we had a contingent from the Strathcona Emergency Program emergency communications team.
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society is feeling ...

British Columbia Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Today volunteers from PEP Air, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association gathered in the Emergency Services Garden of Honor to remember our 17 fallen comrades.
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society ...

Telephone Solicitation | BC Search and Rescue Association Time for your annual reminder: #CRSAR and other SAR groups in BC do not solicit donations by phone.
https://www.bcsara.com/about/faq/telephone-solicitation/
Each year the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA), the Association representing and supporting the 80 ground and inland water ...

The work doesn't stop when our subjects are found, we need to be ready for the next time we're called, day or night.

Island Alpine Guides - WILDERNESS NAVIGATION ONE Navigation skills are a good idea for all adventurers who like travelling off the beaten path. Check out our local resources to learn more.
Wilderness Navigation One is single-day, introductory course where participants will learn how to plan safe and efficient wilderness routes using topographic maps and a compass, along with the ability to recognise other useful sources of information. The curriculum includes interpreting all of the f...

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association What type of communication tools do you use when you adventure?
With 32 callouts and 34 people successfully rescued this past week it's a great time to point to the importance of having a good communications device with you. Many of the subjects this week were injured and without a way to call for help the outcomes may have been quite different.
Full weekly incident report: http://ow.ly/fnOc50uar1e
#BCSAR #searchandrescue #taketheessentials BC AdventureSmart
Photo: BCSARA files
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a photo.

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post CRSAR members on a mutual aid search yesterday.

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post Great turnout for today’s mock search! Thank you to Scotty MaClaren! Because of Scotty’s fundraising last year we were able to purchase 2 new quads which help us quickly search logging roads and backcountry trails! These quads also have a legal second seat which help us get more members into a site and quickly transport subjects out. We love the support from the community of Campbell River! #crsar #bcsara #campbellriver #discovercampbellriver BC AdventureSmart British Columbia Search and Rescue Association

BC AdventureSmart BC AdventureSmart has a new digital home!
We have a new handle!
You can now easily find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Tag us @BCAdvSmart or share your BC adventures with #BCAdventureSmart! We love to feature AdventureSmart ambassadors! Thanks for walking the walk and talking the talk out there and helping us reduce the number and severity of Search and Rescue calls in BC. We and British Columbia Search and Rescue Association appreciate it!
#TripPlan #Train #TakeEssentials #BCAdventureSmart #BCSAR #SARprevention #GetInformed #GoOutdoors #exploreBC
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a post.

AdventureSmart #CRSAR has a dedicated team of AdventureSmart presenters. These volunteers are available to give prevention talks in and around our community. If you or your group are interested in a presentation, let us know!
Learn more about the different presentations available here: http://www.crsar.ca/trip-planning/outdoor-education/
C’est la Semaine de l’action bénévole. AdventureSmart tient à remercier tous les bénévoles qui ont participé à la prestation du programme AdventureSmart. Sans votre dévouement envers la prévention, le programme n’existerait pas. Nous vous remercions d’accroître la sensibilisation et de réduire la fréquence, la gravité et la durée des incidents de recherche et de sauvetage au Canada.
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a photo.

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association We can't say enough good things about our members! Like all SAR members in BC we are all volunteers. Last year our members contributed over 13,000 hours to tasks, training, public education, and fundraising.
During #NationalVolunteerWeek we want to highlight the outstandng work done by the 2500 GSAR volunteers in BC. Today we tip our hat to the 16 groups in the East and West Kootenays, available and responding 24/7/365 #BCSAR
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a photo.

Did you know leaving a trip plan with someone before you go out into the wilderness greatly assists searchers if you need assistance? What information do think you should provide?

Can you find which of these things does not belong on the list of 10 essential things to pack when adventuring?
1. Flashlight
2. Fire making kit
3. Signalling device (i.e. whistle)
4. Extra food and water
5. Extra clothing
6. Navigational/communication devices
7. First aid kit
8. Rope
9. Emergency blanket/shelter
10. Pocket knife
11. Sun protection
And go!

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association On March 23, 2019 the Province of BC announced the largest funding grant to the 80 recognized GSAR groups in BC.
Our President, Chris Kelly & the Executive Director for B.C. AdventureSmart, Sandra Riches responded to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth’s announcement.
Join us in thanking them both for speaking on behalf of SAR response and SAR prevention in B.C.
https://www.bcsara.com/2019/03/comments-on-the-provincial-funding-announcement/
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a post.

David Armitt “Scotty” MacLaren Obituary - Campbell River Mirror It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Scotty MacLaren. Scotty was a great supporter of the community of Campbell River raising money for various Campbell River organizations throughout his life including Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society.
Please join the family on Saturday, March 23rd, at 11 am at St. Patrick’s Parish (34 South Alder Street, Campbell River) to put Scotty to rest and celebrate his time among us.
November 6, 1938 - March 4, 2019Sadly, and to the immense shock of his family and friends, we have to say goodbye to a man who has forever brightened the lives of countless people. Scotty was always quick to make someone laugh, had an uncanny ability to raise funds for an untold number of charities,...

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association 15 years ago we started a program with hopes & plans to educate outdoor enthusiasts about personal preparedness and SAR prevention.
Little did we know (even though we hoped) it would grow into an internationally sought after program making such a difference in our province.
As we optimistically wait for the sustainable funding to be announced, of which it “directly supports AdventureSmart in B.C.”, we want to express our gratitude for the dedication and expertise our prevention experts continue to exude in delivering this message in B.C.
Check out what they did all winter, where they did it & how!
15,710 kms travelled ✔️
16,266 ppl reached in total ✔️
63 new presenters trained ✔️
322 vol. presenters in BC now ✔️
10/12 SAR regions travelled to ✔️
1 new Trip Plan App ✔️ 🇨🇦
We encourage you to read their creative report and share.
Thanks B.C. AdventureSmart, we’re hopeful the funding will be announced soon and you can continue making a difference.
https://www.bcsara.com/2019/03/adventuresmart-2018-19-winter-report/
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a post.

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association 31 callouts for SAR groups in BC last week, 39 people located alive. One of our teams attended a frostbite victim this past week, and it's a good reminder that even though the weather is warming up frostbite is still a very real risk. Make sure you are dressed properly and keep your skin covered.
See AdventureSmart for some tips on frostbite and other cold weather related health risks: http://ow.ly/3yhM50nbu5I
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a post.

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association Today we celebrate the many women who make up search and rescue in BC. They wear a variety of hats, and often several at one time, including sitting on boards, managing tasks, working in the field on tasks, training, and many, many more. We are thankful for their strength and commitment to helping make SAR in BC the best it can be. #InternationalWomensDay
https://youtu.be/fq39JsHda9o
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a post.

The work doesn't stop when our subjects are found, we need to be ready for the next time we're called, day or night.

Donate to CR SAR

Campbell River Search and Rescue, like other SAR groups in BC relies upon donations and grants in order to maintain our equipment, train our volunteers and keep the lights on.

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Is this an emergency?

For emergencies call 9-1-1

If you are concerned about a friend or family member who is missing, overdue, or possibly injured, please call 911. We are only dispatched via the Police, Fire or Ambulance service. They will make the decision to call us. We would rather be called sooner than later; we don’t mind being turned back when the person shows up without incident! Our (Non-Emergency) Phone: 250-923-2500

Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society

Welcome to Campbell River Search and Rescue

Join our fantastic volunteers

Campbell River Search and Rescue

BC SAR Groups do not solicit funds by phone

We are #CRSAR – Meet Eric Teramura

We are #CRSAR – Meet Scott Ballhorn

We are #CRSAR- Meet Dan Toonders

Connect with us online!

Donate to CR SAR

Is this an emergency?

For emergencies call 9-1-1

AdventureSmart Message - Trip Plans

AdventureSmart Message - Be River Smart

AdventureSmart Message - Strathcona Provincial Park