Today is Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day.
It’s a time to heap much-deserved accolades on those volunteers across B.C. who risk life and limb to save people lost or hurt – or both – in our backcountry areas.
During the 20 years I spent at a newspaper in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, I got a close view of the volunteers who would get woken up in the middle of the night on frigid nights and not even complain because they had to leave their families to find a lost or injured hiker.
SAR folks simply don’t get enough credit or praise for the unpaid work they do and the personal sacrifices they make.
But while praise is great, what I would prefer is people who are planning to explore the Great Outdoors show some damn common sense.
I’m not talking about those who do all the right things a hiker or skier should do, but suffer an unavoidable injury.
I’m talking about dumb and irresponsible people who don’t take precautions when they go to explore nature.
Such as:
Not telling anyone where in the backcountry they are headed – or that they are even going into the wilderness. Or telling others where they are going and then going somewhere different. (These details matter in any search.)
Not taking proper supplies for the conditions, such as food, water, warm clothing, a cell phone, a compass – I could go on forever but this is making me more upset.
Ignoring “out of bounds” or other warning signs that are designed to keep people safe because certain areas are dangerous for hiking or skiing. The arrogance of some people is astounding.
Not wearing proper footwear for hiking. Sorry folks, but sandals ain’t cutting it.
I mention all of these things because it’s people doing dumb things that puts the lives of SAR volunteers at risk. Each time they go out to find and rescue somebody, there is a chance something will go run and they will be hurt.
So when you do dumb things in the wilderness, you’re not just risking your own safety – you’re risking the safety of others.
So use your head. Plan properly. Follow the signs. Don’t booze it up while out hiking.
