North Shore Rescue

Helicopter Flight Rescue System Exercise 2009

2009-11-09T10:01:00.000-08:00

North Shore Rescue members, HFRS technicians, and kayak response team members gathered along with BC Parks rangers on Sunday for our annual recurrency, HFRS awareness and lead-up to a large scale January excercise on Grouse Mountain. The day consisted of a briefing in the morning, followed by in and out rescue evolutions utlizing "screamer suits" for rapid deployment. In the afternoon, members practiced with the river rescue basket by doing short-haul and in-out trips.

Although the weather was far from cooperative, conditions did permit for the large majority of the training/recurrency/lead-up to go ahead.

Overall a busy weekend for rescue volunteers; with hover entry/exit training on Saturday, and Helicopter Flight Rescue System training on Sunday. This level of dedication keeps us ready to respond to a call, and allows us to best serve the public interest. Although these training sessions are of a significant cost to the NSR society, the safety and performance results are without a price tag.

One of the key features of this exercise is the demonstrable need for a non-military rescue helicopter to be made available during the Olympics for "outside the fence" calls. NSR has a strong relationship with Talon Helicopters, who have both the right aircraft (small, powerful aircraft capable of safely entering tight terrain) and the expertise (flying ability, terrain knowledge, and invaluable familiarity with local SAR teams) to perform safe, efficient and life-saving operations that may otherwise be unavailable during the 2010 winter games. It is hoped that the provincial government will provide a standby civilian helicopter for local SAR teams during the event.

Hover Entry/Exit Recert

2009-11-07T21:46:00.000-08:00

Today NSR members participated in the annual recurrency training for helicopter hover entry and exit. This involves a dry land session, where members practice their skills under the supervision of rescue pilots and senior instructors. Followed by live excercises out on the Tarmac. Today's exercises covered such skills as:

Hover Entry/Exit (entering and leaving a helicopter while still off the ground)
Hover patient loading (on stretcher and semi-ambulatory)
Heli-Ops and Crew person awareness
Sling Loads
LZ preparation and a control

These skills are extremely important, as helicopters are a tool that are regularly employed in SAR operations. Having members trained to a high level helps ensure a safe and succesful mission.

On today's particular exercise we were interupted by the arrival of the Prince of Whales (Charles) being dropped off in a Canadian Forces Airbus. Recertification activities were temporarily stood down to allow the welcoming ceremony to take place. You can see pictures of the event by checking out our flickr page or facebook fan page.

North Vancouver RCMP looking for owner of mountain bike

2009-11-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

So there has been a mountain bike locked up at the base of grouse for a couple days. We would really like to find out who this bike belongs to and hopefully check off that there is no one missing. Please read the North Vancouver RCMP press release below. If you know of this bike, call the number; if you know someone who might know, forward this on to them.

Thanks from NSR!

Relevant Links:

North Vancouver RCMP Press Release
NSR Flickr Page
NSR Facebook Page
NSR Twitter Page (for updates)

North Vancouver RCMP are seeking the public's assistance to identify the owner of a red and black Specialized CrossTrail bike that has been locked to a bike rack at the base of Grouse Mountain for several days. Grouse Mountain staff are concerned that it may belong to a hiker who has not returned and has not been reported as missing.

If you own this bike or know the owner please contact the North Vancouver RCMP at 604 985-1311 and cite file number 2009-31532.

7 People Rescued on Grind - Bring a Flashlight

2009-11-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - With the return of standard time on Sunday, it gets dark an hour earlier, and several people were caught off-guard on the Grouse Grind yesterday.

More...

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/more.jsp?content=20091102_121616_12280

Please remember to bring a flashlight when hiking at any time.

Hiker Rescued From Grouse

2009-10-30T16:24:00.001-07:00

Australian Frederick Hayes was moderately hypothermic when North Shore Rescue volunteers found him huddled under a log.
Full story -

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/67367397.html

North Shore News Employee Rescued

2009-10-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

North Shore News Story on Lynn Valley rescue.

Search for Missing Trail Runner Sunday Night

2009-10-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

News 1130 article on search last night -

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/more.jsp?content=20091019_012644_7816

North Shore News Articles on Recent Rescues

2009-10-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

James Weldon of the North Shore News has written a number of articles which accurately describe the recent rescues.

All-night efforts locate lost hiker – Hanes Valley – Published Sept 30
http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=0aae43e4-d8f2-4983-bde2-de52a8c8443b

Fall kills missing North Van hiker – Published Sept 23
http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=8d2371a6-8436-4258-b4d2-04f0b5c2430f

Lost hiker caught by early nightfall – Published Sept 23
http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=b2a61a48-ce00-4bdd-907a-ec9bb05f557d

New Trail Signage Should Reduce Rescue Incidents – Published Oct 07
http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=00243f45-ca81-4103-b8eb-3ff0d4630edb

Sound Use During Searches

2009-10-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

NSR member, Bob Manson, has researched, and written a very interesting paper on the use of sound during searches to locate subjects.

As any searcher knows - sound is one of the most important ways to locate someone. However, environmental factors and type of sound dramatically affect how well we can hear and where the sound appears to be coming from.

A must read for any searcher.

The paper can be found here (PDF) - http://www.jibc.ca/emergency/Other_Resources/Publications/Miscellaneous_EMD_Publications/Sound_Search_Study.pdf

North Shore News Article on Sunday Rescue

2009-10-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

North Shore News has written a more complete story on the rescue on Sunday -

http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=0aae43e4-d8f2-4983-bde2-de52a8c8443b

HFRS Repack

2009-09-14T11:04:00.001-07:00

NSR HFRS Repack and Annual Inspection (completed last week)

The mundane and very important part of our HFRS program. All three NSR HFRS Kits completely dismantled , serviced and checked.

There were a number of rescues this weekend, updates coming soon.

New NSR SFU Repeater is Online

2009-09-08T11:51:00.001-07:00

Team Leader Tim Jones shakes hands with radio technician and owner of Chroma Communications, Dirk deJagger, on job well done.

Dirk was contracted by NSR to install the new repeater at the new student residence at SFU which will now give NSR a permanent home for this vital repeater.

Big thanks to Peter Anderson from the SFU Communications Dept who championed getting NSR getting a temporary repeater into his lab first off and then paving the way for the move to its permanent home.

As secondary note, Dirk is a former long time member of NSR and along with Jones he is also a Life Member.

Aug 29 Grouse Rescue

2009-08-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

NSR HFRS Team At it Again- Grouse Mtn Aug 29

NSR's HFRS Team has had it 5th deployment for August. On Saturday Aug 29, the HFRS

Coordinator in Training Mike Danks handled this task as part of his program to become a HFRS Coordinator. The call was for a stranded hiker from Toronto on Grouse Mtn. or should we say a very nice young man who was dressed for a stroll on Toronto's Bay Street. Completely unprepared,lost and exhausted and trapped in a gully system.

NSR is using new tactics now where we are doing multi- person tandem evacs. On this call two HFRS rescuers and the subject came out at the same time. These specific tactics are being used as training and preplan tactiics for tasks which involve a high number of people needing evacs when light, fuel, weather become factors and the number of evolutions needs to be minimized.

As per usual, fantastic support from Metro Vancouver Watershed Security and Grouse Resorts

Coquitlam Search for Male Hiker

2009-08-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

As part of a multi regional SAR team assist to Coquitlam SAR, North Shore Rescue's Helicopter Flight Rescue Team and Talon Helicopters responded to Coquitlam's Burke Mountain to long line out a 58 year hiker from a deep canyon after he spent two days lost in this area.

NSR HFRS Coordinator Tim Jones utilized members from both NSR and Coq SAR who are attached to the NSR HFRS Team as part of an integrated strategy using this important SAR tool.

NSR has had a very busy month with this being the fourth HFRS call for August.

Cowichan Lake Rescue - More Details

2009-08-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

August 2009 Cowichan Lake- NSR HFRS Mutual Aid for Injured Hiker

NSR's HFRS team was tasked to assist Cowichan Valley SAR to evacuate an injured male hiker above the west end of Cowichan Lake. The subject had been in a hiking party that had climbed up a steep clear cut area above the lake late afternoon August 15.

The subject fell 40 feet hitting his head on a tree and fracturing his arm. CVSAR arrived on scene at 2300 on Aug 15 and very efficiently assessed and stabilized the subject . NSR was called at 0230 by PEPECC to have an HFRS team/Talon Helicopters to respond at 0700. Great interaction between NSR and CVSAR in preplanning and logistics leading up to call.Call seamless.

Excellent assistance by CVSAR, RCMP and BCAS personnel at staging area. The subject , two friends and two CVSAR members were all long lined out due to tiredness and the 30 to 50 degree terrain with down falls and loose rock. Special thanks to the kayaker who brought me and Talon owner/pilot Peter Murray a steaming hot coffee!!!!!

A very enjoyable call ! CVSAR did a fantastic job!!!

Tim Jones
NSR HFRS Coordinator
NSR Team Leader

Funding Worries and Rescues

2009-08-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

The fate of our gaming commission grant is currently unknown -

North Shore News article -

http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=ce2e8f22-d050-4585-a154-f56a574f4f13

NSR relies heavily on this grant to operate.

Rescue Last Night

Last night we had a rescue just off of the Baden Powell trail for two lost hikers. They were uninjured and the rescue was a quick one.

The Grind was particularly busy last night as well. Everyone please remember its getting dark earlier and earlier now. And BRING A FLASHLIGHT, not having a flashlight is the number one reason for these types of rescues. We had many people on the Grind last night who were caught in darkness and had to be assisted by our Grind Sweep. If you start the Grind in the afternoon or evening - you need to bring a flashlight. No one ever plans to be stuck in the dark, but it happens regularly.

Rescues the Past Weekend

There were two rescues last weekend, one near Mosquito Creek and another HFRS call to assist Cowichan Lake Area Search and Rescue on Vancouver Island. Pics below are from the Cowichan Lake call.

CTV News Update

2009-08-11T14:33:00.001-07:00

Update from CTV News regarding August 5th Lions Rescue -

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090807/BC_emotional_rescue_hiker_090807/20090807/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

Lions Rescue

2009-08-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were called out for a rescue on The Lions for an injured climber.

CTV News Story with camera footage -

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090805/BC_hiker_falls_lions_090805/20090805/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

North Shore Outlook Article -
http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/northshoreoutlook/news/52600717.html

Daniel Hughes Remains Found

2009-07-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Sun Article -

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Missing+cyclist+remains+identified/1806491/story.html

KneeKnacker

2009-07-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

The World Famous 30 Mile KneeKnacker Race Covered Once Again by NSR July 11 , 2009

Once again North Shore Rescue Members provided coverage for the world famous 30 mile KneeKnacker Race that is run along the North Shore's Baden Powell Trail.

A total of 14 members acting as sweep teams, medical team, communication logistics teams supported this all day race - from 0430 to 1700.

At the same time NSR dealt with seperate 4 SAR Tasks ... what a busy day!!!!!

Great dinner hosted by the KneeKnacker Race Organizers afterwards and as always a big donation to NSR from race proceeds.

Flare Sighting July 8th

2009-07-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

July 8 Flare Sighting Release - by Tim Jones Team Leader/ SAR MGR NSR

a.. North Shore Rescue was contacted by NV RCMP shortly after 900 pm last night regarding a flare sighting seen from an area just east of Capilano River Canyon Park

b.. NSR SAR MGRs interviewed 3 persons who observed a red/pink parachute type flare and triangulated its position to an area bordering homes east of the Capilano Fish Hatchery

c.. RCMP patrol members checked residential areas and Capilano Regional Park for any overdue vehicles or other sightings continually through the night .

d.. RCMP AIR 1 Helicopter using night vision was vectored into the area via GPS coordinates by NSR SAR MGRs on a radio interoperable frequency and confirmed that one was in this general area.

e.. Metro Vancouver staff were alerted also.

NSR SAR MGR Tim Jones states "We have regular flare sightings on the North Shore that require thorough joint investigation by the Police and NSR. Some of these investigations such as last Boxing day off Cypress Bowl Lookout led to an all night tracking down of a flare launched from a residential address."

"Every flare sighting in these circumstances bordering residential areas have turned out to unfounded , however, we have to check out each one and also apply risk management for our volunteers."

"Last night's sighting from a risk management view did not include putting NSR volunteers into Capilano Canyon at night. We as a team are also aware of the lawsuit in Golden over the SOS signals in the snow in which an out of bounds skier died from hypothermia before she was rescued."

"We ask people who do this type of activity to think of what the consequences would be if a NSR volunteer or police member was accidentally injured or worse killed while investigating an unfounded flare sighting"

North Shore Credit Union

2009-07-10T10:10:00.001-07:00

North Shore Credit Union raises $45,000 for North Shore Rescue -

https://www.nscu.com/AboutUs/MediaCentre/2009PressReleases/062509.jsp

Thank you NSCU!!

Some more photos on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/northshorerescue

Body Recovered from Capilano River

2009-07-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

News 1130 Story
http://www.news1130.com/more.jsp?content=20090706_115840_8092

Search for Jodi Henrickson

2009-07-03T10:57:00.001-07:00

Search continues for Jodi Henrickson -

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/northshoreoutlook/news/49748142.html

Mutual Aid to Coquitlam

2009-07-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

Posting this one a bit late...its been a busy week.

June 28 2009 NSR HFRS Team Busy Again

A 3 man NSR HFRS Team responded in Talon Helicopters to provide mutual aid assistance to Coquitlam SAR and Coquitlam Fire Rescue for an injured ATV rider near Burke Mountain. Coquitlam SAR and Fire personnel accessed the subject on a steep section of the powerline trail, treated him for his injuries before moving him away from the power lines so as to allow 2 members of the NSR HFRS team to be safely inserted and the subject extracted via long lone rescue. The subject was turned over to BCAS Paramedics. Great Call and Coordination!!!!

Posted on behalf of Tim Jones.