Search and Rescue

The Canadian Coast Guard is searching for a man who went missing diving off the Winchelsea Islands off Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Search underway for diver who went missing near Nanaimo

Diver did not surface as expected near Winchelsea Islands

The Canadian Coast Guard is searching for a man who went missing diving off the Winchelsea Islands off Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
A team member from Alberni Valley Rescue Squad pauses at the Mount 5040 summit after successfully rescuing an injured hiker, Aug. 8, 2021. (PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD JOHNS, AVRS)

Volunteer searchers from Port Alberni rescue injured hiker on Island mountain

Helicopter called to evacuate hiker from 5040 Peak, southwest of city

A team member from Alberni Valley Rescue Squad pauses at the Mount 5040 summit after successfully rescuing an injured hiker, Aug. 8, 2021. (PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD JOHNS, AVRS)
A Campbell River SAR member climbs up a steep section of terrain on Golden Hinde Mountain during a rescue on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Eric Teramura photo

Campbell River SAR perform overnight rescue on Vancouver Island’s tallest mountain

Three climbers were under-prepared for backcountry adventure

A Campbell River SAR member climbs up a steep section of terrain on Golden Hinde Mountain during a rescue on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Eric Teramura photo
While the RCMP Air services helicopter quickly spotted the hikers, there wasn’t a good spot to land so the Mounties utilized teams from both Cowichan and North Shore Search and Rescue. (Citizen file)

Dehydrated hikers rescued from Lake Cowichan’s Bald Mountain

With the temperature above 30 degrees Celsius, a pair of thirsty hikers…

While the RCMP Air services helicopter quickly spotted the hikers, there wasn’t a good spot to land so the Mounties utilized teams from both Cowichan and North Shore Search and Rescue. (Citizen file)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue crews were out searching for a man reported missing in the Dashwood area on July 10, 2021. (ASAR Twitter photo)

Happy ending as 67-year-old man reported missing on Vancouver Island returns home safe

Search and rescue crews said family, neighbours reported concerns

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue crews were out searching for a man reported missing in the Dashwood area on July 10, 2021. (ASAR Twitter photo)
A Comox Valley Search & Rescue team member checks the area around the van for occupants. Photo courtesy Comox Valley Search & Rescue.

Comox Valley Search and Rescue called out after van drives down embankment

Comox Valley Search & Rescue (CVSR) was called out Wednesday afternoon to…

A Comox Valley Search & Rescue team member checks the area around the van for occupants. Photo courtesy Comox Valley Search & Rescue.
A Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue vessel patrols the waters around Port Alberni. (NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Fisherman rescued after falling overboard in Alberni Inlet

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station, Coast Guard assisted in efforts

A Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue vessel patrols the waters around Port Alberni. (NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Two climbers were rescued after becoming stranded trying to descend on their climbing route. Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue said the climbers did the right thing by calling for assistance and staying put. (Westcoast Search and Rescue Society Facebook photo)

Helicopter swoops in from Comox to rescue stranded climbers near Tofino

Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue reminds adventurers to have a plan and be prepared

Two climbers were rescued after becoming stranded trying to descend on their climbing route. Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue said the climbers did the right thing by calling for assistance and staying put. (Westcoast Search and Rescue Society Facebook photo)
Bernadette Jordan addresses the media following a swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on January 14, 2019. Jordan says the government will provide $2 million to allow First Nations to continue to strengthen the marine safety system across Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

First Nations receive federal funds to purchase marine rescue boats

Quatsino, Heiltsuk, and Kitasoo First Nation’s among eight across Canada to receive funding

Bernadette Jordan addresses the media following a swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on January 14, 2019. Jordan says the government will provide $2 million to allow First Nations to continue to strengthen the marine safety system across Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
CVSAR search the Puntledge River following a report of an abandoned kayak. Photo, CVSAR Facebook page

Comox Valley Search and Rescue spends four hours searching for no one

Overturned kayak a reminder for public to contact officials if they have to abandon a watercraft

CVSAR search the Puntledge River following a report of an abandoned kayak. Photo, CVSAR Facebook page
There is an emergency shelter near the Golden Ears peaks. (Facebook/Special to The News)

Hiker fogged in on Golden Ears, spends 2 nights

Talon Helicopters, Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue bring him home Monday

There is an emergency shelter near the Golden Ears peaks. (Facebook/Special to The News)
Comox Valley Search and Rescue helped a camper who went for a hike above Comox Lake late Saturday night. Photo by CVSAR

Camper rescued from cliffs above Comox Lake

Comox Valley Search and Recuse assists in helping hiker a kilometre past Cumberland campsite

Comox Valley Search and Rescue helped a camper who went for a hike above Comox Lake late Saturday night. Photo by CVSAR
Photo courtesy of Captain Ben Collin, 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron.

Comox rescue squadron flies through poor weather to rescue ill patient near Port Hardy

The fog turned out to be no match for the squadron’s skilled search and rescue technicians

Photo courtesy of Captain Ben Collin, 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron.
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue manager Ken Neden, as he goes over the events of the Qualicum Falls river rescue on Dec. 12, 2020, for a United Kingdom television program “Unbelievable Moments Caught on Camera’. (Mandy Moraes photo)

TV show spreading news of daring B.C. river rescue across the world

Arrowsmith SAR trio share their accounts for ‘Unbelievable Moments Caught on Camera’

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue manager Ken Neden, as he goes over the events of the Qualicum Falls river rescue on Dec. 12, 2020, for a United Kingdom television program “Unbelievable Moments Caught on Camera’. (Mandy Moraes photo)
What3words was first created in the U.K. in 2013 and is credited to saving the lives of outdoor enthusiasts around the world. (Contributed)

‘This is a life saving tool’: App helps paramedics find capsized canoeists near Revelstoke

What3words pinpoints the person’s phone location to a three-meter range

What3words was first created in the U.K. in 2013 and is credited to saving the lives of outdoor enthusiasts around the world. (Contributed)
Parks Canada and Tla-o-qui-aht public works dig the washed up Princess M out from sand along the south shore of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Rescue attempt costs man his boat off Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Coast Guard response questioned after volunteer responder’s speedboat capsizes in heavy swells

Parks Canada and Tla-o-qui-aht public works dig the washed up Princess M out from sand along the south shore of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue members, before descending into a gorge near Nile Creek to rescue an injured woman on Sunday, May 2, 2021. (ASAR Twitter photo)

SAR crews help rescue hiker who plunged 10 metres onto rocks near Qualicum

Helicopter with winch system required for technical operation in remote location

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue members, before descending into a gorge near Nile Creek to rescue an injured woman on Sunday, May 2, 2021. (ASAR Twitter photo)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue members on Saturday, May 1, as they conducted their search for a 79-year-old Parksville man. The man was found within two-and-a-half hours, thanks to the Project Lifesaver transmitter bracelet he was wearing. (ASAR Twitter photo)

Search and Rescue finds lost Parksville man, 79, thanks to radio bracelet

Man was found walking along Highway 19

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue members on Saturday, May 1, as they conducted their search for a 79-year-old Parksville man. The man was found within two-and-a-half hours, thanks to the Project Lifesaver transmitter bracelet he was wearing. (ASAR Twitter photo)
A helicopter had to be used to airlift an injured hiker off Sugarloaf Mountain in Sooke Regional Park Tuesday evening. The man was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (Black Press Media file photo)

Injured hiker airlifted off Sugarloaf Mountain in Sooke park

Man taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

A helicopter had to be used to airlift an injured hiker off Sugarloaf Mountain in Sooke Regional Park Tuesday evening. The man was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (Black Press Media file photo)
Mounties are now using What3Words digital location to help people pinpoint their whereabouts when lost or injured. The app tells you a three-word label for every 10-foot square on the planet. (What3Words)

RCMP now using app to track people lost, injured in B.C.’s backcountry

‘All they have to do is click a link and we’ll be able to pinpoint where they are,’ says RCMP

Mounties are now using What3Words digital location to help people pinpoint their whereabouts when lost or injured. The app tells you a three-word label for every 10-foot square on the planet. (What3Words)