North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton made a speech on North Shore Rescue in the House of Commons today. The video of the speech can be found here, 7 minutes and 15 seconds in. If the link doesn’t work for you, navigate to http://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/parlvu/upcomingevents.aspx?lang and click on May 21, 2013 and open the video/audio file at 2:00 to 3:00 pm (Question Period for HoC Sitting No. 252 [Centre Block - Chamber]).
Note from NSR Team Leader, Tim Jones:
Andrew along with fellow West Vancouver MP John Weston are true champions of our team!!
Thank you somuch Andrew!!!
From the speech in the House of Commons:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the incredible work of North Shore Rescue.
Originally established as a Civil Defence Unit in 1965 during the Cold War, North Shore Rescue quickly evolved into a specialized, well-trained and highly effective search and rescue team comprised entirely of volunteers. Their focus on Mountain Search and Rescue, Helicopter Rescue, Urban Search and Rescue, and public education provide life-saving services all year-round, day in and day out.
Last winter, I was pleased to present founding member Karl Winter with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of over 50 years of contributions to this service.
Recently, the combined efforts of current Rescue Team Leader Tim Jones and our Government also helped to speedily resolve a regulatory problem with the helicopter long-line equipment. This quick action saved lives and is a testament to the importance of teamwork.
On behalf of the nature and sport enthusiasts who enjoy North Vancouver’s gorgeous outdoor terrain, I want to thank the North Shore Rescue team for your ongoing commitment to our safety and security – and a big congratulations on your new state-of-the-art command centre!
http://openparliament.ca/debates/2013/5/21/andrew-saxton-1/
Late yesterday three hikers become stranded after losing the Dilly Dally trail near Buntzen Lake (overlooking the Indian Arm). Coquitlam SAR received the subjects GPS coordinates via cellular phone and deployed manpower and resources to the ridge above them. After locating the subjects in steep, difficult terrain, it was determined that a conventional evacuation was not an ideal option.
North Shore Rescue was requested by Coquitlam SAR at 01:00 this morning to provide Helicopter External Transport System (HETS) assistance at first light. A flight team and ground support met at our Bone Creek SAR base at 0600 this morning where the flight team was picked up by Talon Helicopters AS350 B2. A short flight later, flight crews recon’d the site and landed to rig the helicopter. The staging area was at the north end of Buntzen Lake near the Hydro plant on the Indian Arm.
Two HETS technicians were longlined into the rescue site which was at approximately 2500 feet above sea level. The technicians proceeded to evacuate the 3 stranded hikers, and 7 members of Coquitlam SAR back to the staging area.
Great cooperation and a solid team effort.
If you are in the Cypress Falls, Cypress Creek area please keep an eye out for Cinder, an 11 year old black lab who went over the falls on Saturday. It is unlikely she survived and is most likely in the creek somewhere below the falls.
If you spot her please contact NSR – nsr@northshorerescue.com.
This can be a very dangerous and slippery area, so please use caution.
http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/cypress-falls/
The Grouse Grind is opening May 11th for the 2013 summer season.
Almost everyday (yes everyday), NSR assists or rescue’s people from The Grind. Give us a hand by following the tips below, and passing them around to your friends.
Some Tips
- Even though this is a popular hike – you are still entering the wilderness so be prepared.
- Ensure you are aware of what you are getting yourself into – this is not a walk in the park – it is extremely steep gaining 1000m elevation in just 3km. Aka its very very steep!!
- Wear appropriate footwear – hiking shoes or good runners.
- Bring a flashlight – this is the number one reason why people need rescue.
- Always let someone know that you are going on a hike and expected return time, especially if you are going alone.
- Leave enough time to complete the hike – it can take anywhere from 1 hour to 8 hours depending on your fitness level.
- Bring a cell phone with a fully charged battery.
- Check the weather and dress appropriately – if its 7 degrees in the parking lot – its freezing on top, and it could snow or sleet.
- Bring some cash for the ride down – you are not permitted to hike down The Grind. $10 download fee plus you will probably want a beer and a burger (or at least I do when I get to the top).
- Stay on trail – there are some forks at the beginning of the trail and its easy to get onto the wrong trail. We rescue many people who get stuck on the Baden Powell trail.
- Bring at least 1 litre of water.
- Bring some food if you are not used to doing this hike regularly.
- Did I mention…bring a flashlight?? And no your cell phone doesn’t count. You can buy very small compact LED flashlights these days that only weigh a few grams.
Have fun, and see you on the trail!
Opening and closing times can be found on the Metro Vancouver website (currently not updated FYI) - http://www.metrovancouver.org/region/grousegrind/Pages/default.aspx
Under overcast skies, Tim Jones stands in an empty ski hill parking lot and explains the potentially deadly scenario to a group of 60 or so emergency responders….
read more…
http://www.northshoreoutlook.com/news/205652821.html
Saturday, May 4th NSR was paged out for a lost hiker near Lynn Peak.
A male hiker in his 20′s became lost near Lynn Peak at 5 pm due to confusing trail markings.
He called RCMP who attempted to get coordinates which turned out to be 1 km off. Subject was able to state he was cliffed out near Lynn Peak before cel voice lost. NSR called in shortly before 6 pm and immediately started texting subject while scrambling Talon Helicopters. Concurrently RCMP AIR 1 vectored in with new coordinates given by NSR but unable to spot subject. Subject changed location slightly to east side of Lynn Peak where he received NSR texts and then was able to communicate location to us. NSR HETS team in Talon Twin Star texted into subject. Subject spotted stranded off of Lynn Peak. A NSR HETs technician was long lined in on 200 ft line radio controlled and extracted subject back to NSR Bone Creek Helibase/ SAR Station.
Subject was well equipped for summer hike not winter conditions at 3400 ft. He was wearing light hikers.
THANKS to Metro Vancouver Staff and pilot Kelsey Wheeler from Talon Helicopters.
IMPORTANT
Cel tels are proving to be game changers time and time again. If you are lost attempt get to a ridge line high up and don’t call your friends for two hours before calling for help so as to save your cel battery. Also learn how to access your GPS coordinates off your phone and carry a map and compass also. Keep your phone off, until you need it.
GPS coordinates can sometimes be off so manually knowing your general position on a map can be critical as what happened last here on this call.
Consider carrying a battery booster such as - http://www.adafruit.com/products/14
or
The Pebble -
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/veho-veho-pebble-smartstick-portable-charger-vpp-002-sss-silver-vpp-002-sss/10232755.aspx
Province Article on rescue -
http://www.theprovince.com/news/North+Shore+Rescue+pluck+lost+hiker+from+Lynn+Peak+trail/8339636/story.html
