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...

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post On Sunday afternoon, CRSAR was tasked by BC Ambulance to assist an injured subject on the Ripple Rock trail. Our members were able to carry the subject on a stretcher to Nymph Cove, where they were transported by boat to ...

Timeline Photos Another great and active week at Search and Rescue. Even Randy is sleeping!
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC AdventureSmart

Timeline Photos Are you planning any water activities this weekend?
Stay safe when playing on or near water. Be prepared, wear a lifejacket or PFD (personal flotation device), don’t drink alcohol, and make sure you are familiar with your chosen activity. Check ...

It's a helipad, not a tent pad; Local SAR trying to educate backcountry hikers Here's a pro tip for anyone new to back country camping: the "H" on that convenient, wooden platform you just found doesn't stand for "heck of a good camping spot."
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a link.

Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society updated their info in the about section.

Timeline Photos Campbell River Search and Rescue is hard at work, training to do a rescue using our ropes system!
How many pulleys can you count?
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC AdventureSmart

Timeline Photos Did you know? Campbell River SAR has two response vehicles, and one large mobile command centre! That's a lot of motor power!
Here is a picture of Response Vehicle 1 towing our boat!
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC ...

It’s been a busy day for Campbell River SAR with 2 call outs and the day isn’t over! We are ready for those in need 24hrs a day 7 days a week 365 days a year.
Today started off early ...

Timeline Photos Our team is hard at work, training how to use our emergency response vehicles!
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC AdventureSmart

Timeline Photos Just because Search and Rescue is serious doesn't mean it isn't fun! Our new members practice scenarios to help hone their skills before a rescue. Can you spot all three members in the photo?
BC AdventureSmart British Columbia Search and ...

Timeline Photos The weekend is coming up! What are you doing to prepare? Did you know that BC AdventureSmart has an app to help you plan? https://www.adventuresmart.ca/tripplan.htm
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association

Timeline Photos Did you know that Campbell River Search and Rescue volunteers at many local community events? Here is our member, Tim, driving a boat at the Dragon Boat Festival.
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC AdventureSmart

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post Our second task last weekend involved a request from the RCMP. We were asked to do a late-night search for a missing cyclist. The subject was located safely. Thank you to all the SAR members who responded!
British Columbia Search ...

Missing hiker found safe in Strathcona Park More than 100 searchers from 17 rescue organizations gathered Monday morning to try to find missing hiker Murray Naswell of Cumberland.
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a link.

Timeline Photos Practice makes perfect! Our ropes team runs scenarios to help hone our skills before a rescue.
BC AdventureSmart British Columbia Search and Rescue Association

Strathcona Emergency Program Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a photo.

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post Lots of fun at #CRSAR tonight familiarizing ourselves with out advanced first aid kits. #knowbeforeyougo

The BC AdventureSmart team is coming to Campbell River July 6th and 7th! They will be stationed at the Elk Falls trail head where you can learn how to recreate safely in the outdoors.
#crsar #SARprevention #adventuresmart #bcsara #knowbeforeyougo

Anchorline - Disposal of Expired Flares Welcome to your premiere source for Marina's and Anchorages information along BC west coast. If you are as passionate about Boating, Sailing and Cruising as we are, you will understand the necessity and the value behind a central location for all your boating needs - thus, we bring you, Anchorline.c...
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a link.

Timeline Photos Another great and active week at Search and Rescue. Even Randy is sleeping!
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC AdventureSmart

Timeline Photos On Wednesday evening, CRSAR was tasked by the RCMP to respond to the activation of a SPOT device in Strathcona Park for a medical response. The subject was successfully retrieved by helicopter, assessed by one of the team doctors, and was transferred to BC Ambulance for treatment. Good work team!
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC AdventureSmart

Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society updated their info in the about section.

Timeline Photos It's been a busy holiday weekend for Campbell River Search and Rescue!
On Friday, we were called out to assist overdue hikers in Strathcona Park. They had given a trip plan to their family, and we were able to locate them quickly by helicopter. It is always advised to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back, just like these hikers did!
Remember to respect the terrain, environment, and other users while you are enjoying the trails. Follow the three Ts—trip planning, training, and taking the essentials. BC AdventureSmart is a great
resource to help you get informed before heading outdoors.
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association

BC AdventureSmart PUBLIC SAFETY - BC DAY LONG WKD
🏔 ⛵️ 🌲 🎒 🚤 🏕 🌊 🛶 🚣🏼 🏄🏻‍♀️
The “BC Day Long Wkd” is all about celebrating with family & friends hiking, biking, paddling, camping & boating, incidentally, mishaps occur that can be prevented.
Long weekends are the busiest for the 2500 BC Search & Rescue Volunteers who respond to over 1700 incidents every year.
Plan for the best...
prepare for the “what if?”
#BCAdventureSmart
Media release. Please share.
https://www.bcsara.com/2019/07/bc-day-long-weekend-2019/
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a post.

It’s been a busy day for Campbell River SAR with 2 call outs and the day isn’t over! We are ready for those in need 24hrs a day 7 days a week 365 days a year.
Today started off early with a call out to assist an injured hiker with a lower body injury near the Golden Hinde in Strathcona Provincial Park. Given the remote nature of the rescue the decision was made to fly into the Golden Hinde with one team and have another team assist by driving to the south end of Buttle Lake for support. The injured subject had an Inreach communication device which allowed us to communicate directly with the subject through text in real time. The subject also made an emergency plan so people knew where he was and what was going on. Once the subject was reached by helicopter he was loaded in and flown back to Campbell River where he was handed off to BC Ambulance. Enough can’t be said about the preparedness of the injured subject. Having a communication device and an emergency plan before he went into the wilderness made the rescue go smooth and fast.
Improved and more reliable technology like an Inreach device has changed how search and rescues in BC are performed. No longer are we receiving generic SOS call outs from EPIRB’s or SPOT devices as we are getting detailed information containing location and the type of injuries that have occurred. With the flow information being in real time from the injured subject to the SAR hall we are able to better prepare for call outs with proper gear (ropes, swiftwater, etc), personnel and first aid supplies which make for quicker and more efficient rescues.
As #CRSAR members were decompressing and eating lunch after the first call out we received another call to assist BC Ambulance with a subject who had a lower leg fracture on Quadra Island. Quickly back to the SAR hall we all went to assemble and come up with a game plan. Given the nature of the injury and the location of the subject we came up with the plan to split into two teams with one team heading to the helicopter pad and the other heading to the ferry. Just as we were starting to execute our plan we were stood down. Back to the SAR hall we went to get ready for the next call out.
It has been a busy day so far and it isn’t over. We are always ready for those in need 24hrs a day 7 days a week 365 days year.
#crsar #bcsara British Columbia Search and Rescue Association #knowneforeyougo BC AdventureSmart

Rock Climbing: How to Belay Are you interested in heading outdoors to go climbing? Do your friends climb but your too intimidated to join them? Check out this video to get the basics of top rope climbing and head on out into the vertical world.
One of the first skills you need to master once you start climbing is how to belay. In this REI Expert Advice video, we show you how to prepare to belay, per...

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association More than 40 call outs last week for #BCSAR groups, with nearly a third of them for injured people. No one plans to get injured, but you can plan to be better prepared in case you are injured by taking your essentials, having the proper training and leaving a trip plan.
Full weekly incident report: http://ow.ly/ocYE50v8wAO
BC AdventureSmart #beprepared #searchandrescue
Photo: Unsplash
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a photo.

A Social Backcountry Is social media ruining the outdoors? How do you share your outdoors experiences? Do you take into consideration how your social media posts impact places you have visited? Let us know in the comments below.
As the population booms in Southwest BC, and interest in backcountry travel is at an all-time high, tensions in the outdoor community are inevitable. Information…

Timeline Photos Our team is hard at work, training how to use our emergency response vehicles!
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC AdventureSmart

Royal Canadian Air Force Help choose the name of #Canada's new Search and Rescue aircraft!
The #RCAF is considering five possible names for the new CC-295 fixed-wing SAR aircraft. See the names and make your choice on our site: http://rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/cc-295-name.page
The RCAF commander will have the final say, but if you were the commander, which of these names would YOU choose? We’ll share the results with the commander, and he'll take them into consideration when he makes his final decision later this year.
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a post.

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post Over the weekend, Campbell River Search and Rescue participated in two calls. Our first call was a mutual aid call to our neighbours in the Comox Valley. We are happy to report that the missing hiker was located safely today, after 5 days missing in Strathcona Park.
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC AdventureSmart Comox Valley Ground Search & Rescue

Timeline Photos Practice makes perfect! Our ropes team runs scenarios to help hone our skills before a rescue.
BC AdventureSmart British Columbia Search and Rescue Association

Comox Valley Ground Search & Rescue Update: Murray has been found safe!
Update: Murray was found in good health on Monday, July 8th. Thank you to everyone that took the time to share this post and help us reach a successful conclusion for this search.
CVGSAR is appealing to the public for information to aid in the active search for Murray (pictured).
We have reports that on Thursday some hikers in the paradise meadows area saw a lone male in shorts and a white t-shirt, wearing glasses and a fanny pack. Our command team would like to speak with you to get more information. Please contact our command post at 250-334-3211.
Thank you.
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a post.

BC AdventureSmart is coming to Campbell River this weekend! They will be stationed at the Elk Falls trail head from 9:00am - 5:00pm on July 6th and 7th giving out information on how to enjoy the great outdoors in a safe manner.
Elk Falls is a beautiful area and one of Campbell Rivers most visited sites but it also has its dangers. We have been called out a few times to Elk Falls and given the easy access and extreme danger it usually doesn't end very well. Learn how to recognize when you are in danger around rivers so that we can prevent another SAR call out.
#CRSAR #SARprevention #adventuresmart #bcsara #knowbeforeyougo

Strathcona Emergency Program Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a photo.

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post Lots of fun at #CRSAR tonight familiarizing ourselves with out advanced first aid kits. #knowbeforeyougo

BC AdventureSmart BC AdventureSmart is coming to town this weekend! Come find out about how to play safely in the outdoors at the Elk Falls trail head.
#SARprevention #crsar #bcsara #knowbeforeyougo
‪#TripPlan Tuesday‬
‪BC waterfalls are clear, cold & inviting + often easily accessible.
‬
‪Mesmerizing to watch, however don’t forget to look down at the unstable riverbanks, slippery rocks & respect that “power”!
#reduceincidents
‬
‪https://www.adventuresmart.ca/water/riverfeatures.htm‬
Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society shared a post.

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.

Faire un don maintenant par CanadaHelps.org!

Our Sponsors

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