Volunteer search and rescue crews across BC are putting out a plea for the long weekend.
BC Adventure Smart Coordinator Sandra Riches is asking people to be prepared before heading into the backcountry.
“It’s probably the busiest weekend we have all summer. Everyone is out there enjoying the great outdoors which is exactly what we want them to do, but this weekend seems a little bit busier than normal and we’ve got some great weather in the forecast so unfortunately we expect a few things to happen.”
Riches says people need to follow the three T’s this weekend; trip plan, train and take essentials.
“It can happen to anyone, and I think that’s the false sense of security that we all go out with, we don’t think it will happen to us.”
80 Search and Rescue Groups made up of 2500 volunteers respond to 1500 incidents every year. The most common call out is for lost/stranded hikers, “there’s no question, it’s easy to do, anyone can head out there for a walk and hit the trails and a lot of people are exploring further into the backcountry.”
Riches says hiking is a common activity for the BC long weekend, along with watersports such as kayaking and canoeing.
#BCDay #longweekend #PSA #help #search&rescue reduce SAR #incidents @PreparedBC @BCSARAssoc https://t.co/8arEqIldNM pic.twitter.com/Uk86Q0xM9s
— AdventureSmart BC (@BC__AS) July 28, 2016