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

It was another busy year for Campbell River Search & Rescue.

As always, the range of our call outs are wide and varied over Vancouver island and it’s inlets and surrounding...

SRD Recognizes Volunteers Judy Hagen and Marg Carr for Ten Years of Regional Emergency Support Services

Picture attached: Rick Wall (Chair, NIEP Society) acknowledged Marg Carr & Judy Hagen with flowers and...

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...

Timeline Photos CRSAR thanks all our community members for helping to support our work! We wanted to say a special thank you to Janice Sewell for helping us fundraise. These cool masks can be found at the Crow's Nest Art Gallery.

Timeline Photos Winter adventures bring different challenges. Have you checked out https://adventuresmart.ca/winter/winter.htm ? Awareness and proper training is critical if you plan on spending anytime outside during the winter. Write a trip plan, take a training course, and make sure you take ...

Timeline Photos Campbell River SAR is looking into the new year! What outdoor adventures do you have planned this year? Check out https://adventuresmart.ca/ for trip planning and advice!
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association BC AdventureSmart

Experts urge extreme caution as beginners flock to B.C.'s backcountry amid high avalanche risk |... Be safe when considering backcountry travel this winter. BC has seen an exponential increase in backcontry users.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/backcountry-avalanche-caution-bc-1.5869336
Experts are urging all backcountry users to get or upgrade their avalanche skills training after a string of recent fatalities and close ...

Rescue our Rescuer- Janet Rygnestad Do you know this rad human who has undoubtedly helped you or touched your life in a positive way? Darn tooting rights you do! We now have an opportunity to help her out and surround her with a whole lot ...

CHEK News Campbell River SAR experienced a large increase in calls last year as more people headed outdoors. They expect 2021 to be just as busy.

Campbell River Mirror Be careful if you are around the Campbell River as BC Hydro is going to be increasing the flows on this river till mid February.
Anglers entering the river below the John Hart generating station until mid-February are advised to ...

Happy New Year Everyone! Here are some interesting facts from our 2020 year.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Comox Valley Search & Rescue We support this House of Commons e-petition, and would certainly appreciate your signature too.

Hero reflects on harrowing rescue of man from raging Vancouver Island river - Campbell River... A job well done by our friends at Arrowsmith SAR! This is what we all train for.
Nick Rivers rappelled into the Little Qualicum River to save a man clinging between two waterfalls

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association "Since April 2020, crews have been deployed for almost 1,600 search and rescue missions. This means in 2020, ground search and rescue (GSAR) crews have responded to more than 300 additional callouts compared to the same period in 2019 and ...

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post #skikind and we will all have a better winter.
#crsar #bcsara #sar

Timeline Photos Are you heading into the backcountry to ski, snowshoe or snowmobile? Do you know where to get the latest avalanche danger rating? Head on over to https://www.islandavalanchebulletin.com/ (@VIavanche) to get the latest Vancouver Island bulletin.
#knowbeforeyougo #CRSAR #safetyfirst #bcadventuresmart #BCSARA

Timeline Photos Thank you to E.B. Horsman & Son for the kind donation of 2 bath fan timers! We wouldn't be nearly the organization we are without the support of our community and the businesses that operate within them! #CRSAR #bcsara #thankyou

Timeline Photos Our search volunteers are always happy to help! If you need help, CALL 9-1-1. We are operational 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. @BCSARAssoc @BCAdvSmart BC AdventureSmart British Columbia Search and Rescue Association

Pickle What is it like to be found by a search dog? Our search dog, Pickle, shows you what you might see! He is a very good boy. BC AdventureSmart British Columbia Search and Rescue Association @BCSARAssoc @BCAdvSmart

Timeline Photos What happens if one SAR group needs extra help? For large or complex searches, we ask other groups for help! This is called "mutual aid". This year have been called all over BC to help out! @BCSARAssoc @BCAdvSmart BC AdventureSmart ...

Timeline Photos Happy Monday! What's carrying you through this week?
BC AdventureSmart British Columbia Search and Rescue Association @BCSARAssoc @BCAdvSmart

Knowledge Network We're overjoyed with all of the excitement to watch Search and Rescue: North Shore - Series. With such high demand, you may be experiencing slower than normal service on our website and apps.
Please be patient. Our tech team is ...

Current and future leaders from Island SAR teams spent their weekend building skills and wearing masks.

CHEK News Campbell River SAR experienced a large increase in calls last year as more people headed outdoors. They expect 2021 to be just as busy.

Happy New Year Everyone! Here are some interesting facts from our 2020 year.

Avalanche Canada Caution backcountry users in the Coast Mountains ⚠️
There were at least four large avalanches that occurred yesterday in the mountains close to Whistler and Pemberton. They ran on a weak layer that formed in mid-December, now buried 60-100 cm below the snow surface. Three of these avalanches were human-triggered and involved people.
The layer is likely to remain a problem for several days and could potentially become more reactive in response to storms forecast for Wednesday. Stick to lower angled slopes and avoid riding on steep slopes or in large, open bowls.
Get the forecast 👉 www.avalanche.ca
📷: Anton Horvath
📷: from the MIN- http://bit.ly/3mVJlMn
📷: Shane Szocs

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Comox Valley Search & Rescue We support this House of Commons e-petition, and would certainly appreciate your signature too.

Our members were out both days this weekend practicing avalanche rescue techniques. Remember to check reports on the Avalanche Canada app if you are heading out of bounds, wear a beacon, carry a shovel and probe know how to use them, and don’t go with anyone who does not. Stay safe and have fun ❄️
#bcadventuresmart #tripplanning

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association Holidays hours - same as last year! Always there for you!
Happy Holidays everyone!
School is out and winter break is officially on! Things look quite different this year, but one thing that doesn't change is that the unpaid search and rescue professionals of BC are ready to help you 24/7/365 and services are always free. Happy holidays and cheers to a safe season from all of us at BCSARA!

BC AdventureSmart TRIP PLAN Tuesday
〽️
Look closely, can you see the degree of those slopes?
👀
“Slope angle, or incline, is one of the most significant terrain characteristics that determines whether an avalanche can occur. Slab avalanches most commonly occur on slopes between 25° and 45°, and since slab avalanches are the most deadly, these are the slopes we’re most concerned about. The problem is these are also the slopes most backcountry recreationists tend to seek. For slopes less than 25°, the stress on the snowpack tends to be greater into the slope than down-slope, which helps to hold the snow in place. For slopes steeper than 45°, the down-slope component of stress due to gravity is so great that the snow has a hard time bonding and cohesive slabs usually don’t form.”
Quotes Avalanche Canada
〽️
Get informed before you go outdoors.
SPECIAL EVENTS, register & mark your calendars;
• Jan. 6: Snow Safety Education /Backcountry with us.
https://fb.me/e/1lvkMg1JU
• Dec. 17: Riding Out of Bounds ... What you need to know with Avalanche Canada.
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8012084468249703696

BC AdventureSmart ❄️ SLEDDER SUNDAY ❄️
ABILITIES; ‘exceeding them’ is the 3rd cause of search & rescue incidents during winter in BC.
TRAINING;
- Obtain the knowledge & skills you need before heading out.
➡️ Avalanche Skills Training(AST), navigation, route finding ➕
- Know & stay within your limits.
➡️ Decision making; make them with GROUP DYNAMICS in mind.
What training do you have?
Who taught you to ride?
How do you keep fit (💪🏼🧠) for sledding?
🎥 Dave Norona (🙏🏾 Dave!)

Photos from Campbell River Volunteer Search and Rescue Society's post #skikind and we will all have a better winter.
#crsar #bcsara #sar

Timeline Photos Happy Monday! What's carrying you through this week?
BC AdventureSmart British Columbia Search and Rescue Association @BCSARAssoc @BCAdvSmart

Winter has arrived on the Island Mountains! It is exciting to see the snow fall and to start to make plans for winter adventures.
Early winter travel carries significant hazards in addition to avalanche danger. The snow pack is just starting to form, which leaves incomplete coverage of rocks, stumps, logs, stream beds and other terrain traps. Winter travel can be further complicated by shorter days, slower travel, and the risk of hypothermia. All of these factors also complicates our ability to respond quickly.
As we shift into winter, consider your experience level and the changing conditions. Double check your gear, and ensure you are heading out with a crew you trust. Pick attainable and realistic objectives, whether on skis, snowshoes, splitboard or boots.
Once it is up and running the avalanche bulletin can be found here: https://www.islandavalanchebulletin.com/
BC AdventureSmart also has great resources on safe winter travel: https://www.adventuresmart.ca/winter/winter.htm

Nanaimo RCMP We are happy that the search was successful. By keeping supplies in their truck, they were able to persevere through the cold nights. A good reminder to keep your vehicle stocked with emergency supplies this winter!
Nanaimo RCMP Media Advisory
Nanaimo file # 2020-41121
Date of release- Saturday November 14, 2020
Missing couple and dog found alive
The Nanaimo RCMP is pleased to announce that Tamara Sandulak, Cody Martin and their dog Rex were found alive at approximately 8:15 am on Saturday November 14, 2020. The three were located at Moriarty Lake, approximately 16 kilometres north west from Second Lake. Other than being cold and hungry, all three were in relatively good health.
The couple told police that their truck had broken down at the lake. They decided to stay in their vehicle for warmth in hope that they would be found. This morning, they decided it was time to walk out and find help. After a short distance they managed to obtain enough cell reception to place a call to a family member. RCMP Air 8 was immediately dispatched to their location and transported the three to the SAR command post.
"This is the outcome everyone was hoping and praying for. We would like to acknowledge all of the dedicated volunteers and especially each and every Search an Rescue volunteer, who provided expertise and commitment to this arduous search effort. This was a tremendous effort by so many, "said Constable Gary O'Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
Mosaic Forest Management were also instrumental in providing resources, maps and invaluable insight to the search areas. Additionally, Mike Gogo owner of Mike Gogo Cedar Products, was also key as he graciously allowed Search and Rescue to re-stage at his property today. It was at his property where the missing couple and their dog were reunited with family members.
The picture provided shows RCMP Air 8 picking up a very grateful and hungry Tamara, Cody and Rex at Moriarty Lake.

CalTopo In close partnership with the American Avalanche Association the USFS National Avalanche Center, and Avalanche Canada , CalTopo now includes avalanche forecasting for the US and Canada.
These forecasts are delivered in realtime from forecasting organizations and displayed on the Avalanche Forecast layer in both the app and on the web. We focused a great deal on ensuring accurate and up to date forecast information is shown. For obvious reasons this layer requires internet connectivity.
We strongly encourage users to click on the forecast to get further forecast details and discussion. We also recommend that all backcountry travelers spend time educating themselves on winter travel. The American Avalanche Associate and Avalanche Canada both provide excellent educational resources for you to do so!

Current and future leaders from Island SAR teams spent their weekend building skills and wearing masks.

Ski Touring During the Age of Covid: Episode 1 - Daily Touring An ER physician (and North Shore SAR team member) from the Royal Columbian Hospital in Vancouver provided some great tips for staying safe while skiing this season in the context of Covid. Just some food for thought as we continue to navigate this strange year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utIAmtIqCY4&fbclid=IwAR0rsQjTWJt7l75Stc6fWSmWmamV1k1voJW_bjBMd5n6tscMWsIFeCH5UP0&ab_channel=GenuineGuideGear
Ski Touring During the Age of Covid Episode 1 - Daily Touring Ski touring during the age of Covid is possible, but it takes more thought and preparation. We ...

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

It was another busy year for Campbell River Search & Rescue.

SRD Recognizes Volunteers Judy Hagen and Marg Carr for Ten Years of Regional Emergency Support Services

We are #CRSAR – Meet Eric Teramura

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