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Fans of the outdoors are being urged to take extra caution.
Photo via pxhere.com
Backcountry enthusiasts implored to venture safely
Published 12:40 PST, Wed December 9, 2020
Last Updated: 12:41 PST, Wed December 9, 2020
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As winter settles in and calls for search and rescue continue to rise, people are urged to plan and prepare before heading into the province’s backcountry.
"Since the beginning of this pandemic we have seen an increase in the number of people enjoying the outdoors, but also a persistent rise in the number of ground search and rescue calls in British Columbia," said Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. “People are getting stuck or lost, and we're finding they're unprepared for the elements or haven't familiarized themselves with their route.
"This can be dangerous, not only for the people who are in distress, but also for the search and rescue crews deployed to help. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of our search and rescue volunteers in BC who continue to go above and beyond to protect public safety, even during a pandemic."
Since April, crews have been deployed for almost 1,600 search and rescue missions. That is 300 additional callouts compared to the same period in 2019 and 2018, which had 1,265 and 1,236 deployments respectively.
BC AdventureSmart provides the following tips on how to remain safe when heading outdoors during the pandemic:
• Make a plan that explains your destination, travel route and expected return time.
• Know the terrain and conditions.
• Check out the weather forecast to inform your planning.
• Get the knowledge and skills you need before heading out, for example avalanche safety training.
• Know your limits. Stay within them.
• Always carry the essentials and know how to use them.
• Add seasonal and sport-specific gear.
"We want people to be aware of the additional risk out there," said Chris Kelly, president of the BC Search and Rescue Association. "The risk is not only being unprepared for the outdoors, but also exposing our professional volunteers to COVID-19 during callouts. Our members risk life and limb to keep people safe, and that risk is compounded by the pandemic. We're imploring everyone playing in the backcountry to play it safe—for their sake and the sake of our dedicated crews and their families."
Learn more at AdventureSmart: www.adventuresmart.ca
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