Jordan, a long time snowmobiler, was determined to be eligible for the CAA’s bursary program for this course because of his connections to the local community, our team, and his local knowledge of the Burke Mountain area (in Coquitlam SAR’s response area).

Jordan, in the snow pit

Jordan described the week-long course as “intense,” adding “I don’t know how skiers do it – we covered so much terrain in one day!” The course, which has become internationally recognized, is a standard in the avalanche safety industry. This version of the course is geared toward the snowmobile community, and included SAR members, snowmobile tour companies and other interested members of the sledding community.

Course participants doing snow analysis

Jordan can now assist other “Level Ones” on the team in delivering the Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course, which regular team members take every year, and eventually can deliver his own AST courses to members of the snowmobile community. In addition, he can function as a field team leader for avalanche responses in the Coquitlam area.

CAA Avi 1 Snowmobile | Coquitlam Search and Rescue

We’ve updated our FAQ ( frequently asked questions) page.

Website Update: FAQ page updated | Coquitlam Search and Rescue

Winter Tires Installed on Coq4

Winter has come early to the lower mainland and Coquitlam Search & Rescue is ready thanks to the tire expertise and support of City Tire Ltd of Port Coquitlam, BC.

With AccuWeather.com forecasting one of the coldest winters in the past 20 years for Western Canada, it was time for new winter tires for the team’s F350 4×4 secondary command post, “Coquitlam 2,” and for its F250 4×4 transport vehicle, “Coquitlam 4”.

For those interested:  the tires chosen for the team are Cooper Discoverer M+S .

Darren Timmer, the team’s Equipment Manager, says “Working with Paul and his team at City Tire was great. Paul is very knowledgeable about all the tire brands and was able to advise us on the best tire options for our trucks – taking into account the terrain we are likely to encounter and the unique needs of our team. Having dedicated winter tires on our vehicles allows us to respond safely, regardless of the weather conditions, 24×7 throughout the winter.”

Coquitlam SAR would like to thank City Tire for their generous support.

New Winter Tires Installed | Coquitlam Search and Rescue

Hug-a-tree Video

Coquitlam SAR was invited by the New Westminster Sparks (Girl Guides of Canada) to go over the hug-a-tree educational package with the 5 and 6 year old future mountaineers and explorers.

The hug-a-tree presentation included: a short video, hands-on equipment demonstration, an avalanche beacon search, and a tour of the Coquitlam 2 truck.

Colouring books, whistles and orange emergency bags were provided to the 22 Sparks present.

Coquitlam SAR would like to thank the group for their enthusiastic support  ~ it certainly brightened our day.

Hug-a-tree presentation to the New Westminster Sparks | Coquitlam Search and Rescue

What we failed to mention is that much of Dr Giesbrecht’s seminar is available on video, which can be downloaded from his web site. You can also order the CD or DVD for broadcast in the classroom.

This information can help you survive a fall into cold water, an event that tends to kill people but with the help of this seminar is preventable — people can survive immersion for quite a long time with information contained in these videos.

In other news, Dr Giesbrecht along with Ted Rankine, received the National Search and Rescue Secretariat award for excellence in Education and Training at the annual SARScene conference, which several Coquitlam SAR members attended on the weekend of Oct 28-31. The award recognizes their efforts at putting together the Cold Water Boot Camp program and it’s success at saving lives.

Congratulations Dr Giesbrecht and Ted Rankine.

Cold Water Boot Camp | Coquitlam Search and Rescue

Coquitlam SAR shares a close connection with the CF SAR Tech community.  Most recently, 442 Squadron SAR Techs and Coquitlam SAR worked together on a SAR operation for 3 stranded hikers north of Pitt Lake.

Former Coquitlam SAR member Mike Neilson was one of the first “direct entry” applicants to the SAR Tech program and most recently met with current Coquitlam SAR members on a climbing expedition to Mt Logan in the Yukon Territory.

Current Coquitlam SAR member Roland Webb was the Lead Instructor for Sgt. Gilbert’s Primary Care Paramedic training in the fall of 2002.  Janick is remembered as a excellent student and solid team player.

Sgt. Gilbert (then Corporal) is in the standing row, 3rd student from the left.

The official announcement from the DND can be seen here

Canadian Forces SAR Tech dies during rescue | Coquitlam Search and Rescue

The workshop was conducted by Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht from the University of Manitoba.  “Dr Popsicle” is a world leading researcher in the field of hypothermia, and is well known to Canadians for having appeared on the Rick Mercer Report.

The workshop covered hypothermia science, extraction techniques, packaging techniques and hypothermia treatment.

Some participants signed up to be “in water subjects”.  The temperature of the Fraser River was 5 °C and 5 subjects entered the water in various levels of protection.

 These participants were extracted and treated for hypothermia according to Dr. Geisbrecht’s instruction.

Coquitlam SAR was able to send 5 members that included paramedics and a nurse to learn these valuable techniques. The author is shown being treated for hypothermia (in the stretcher).

The team posing for a photo with Dr Geisbrecht after the seminar.

Coquitlam SAR and Dr Gordon Giesbrecht | Coquitlam Search and Rescue

On Saturday, October 15th at approximately 1545hrs, Coquitlam SAR was contacted to assist with the rescue of a injured adult male mountain biker on Burke Mountain.  The injured biker was located on “Frank’s trail,” known to Coquitlam SAR members who ride it often on their mountain bikes.

A joint team of Coquitlam SAR, BC Ambulance paramedics and Coquitlam Fire/Rescue firefighters drove/walked into the patient’s location.  Once on scene, BCAS Paramedics provided assessment and care for the riders injuries and Coquitlam SAR and Fire/Rescue set up for carrying the patient out.

Once packaged, the patient was carried out on a stretcher to the waiting ambulance for transport to hospital.

As that call came to an end, a second call came in from the RCMP regarding an adult male with a developmental condition who walked away from his home.

Since the SAR team was already active with the first call, the response to the second was very quick.  Shortly after arrival on the scene and the first teams starting to search, the male was found and returned home safely.

Busy saturday afternoon… | Coquitlam Search and Rescue

Having this capability within the team will allow the team to respond quickly to rescues. The next step will be to purchase the equipment required then train several members on the team. By the spring of 2012 the team should be HETS capable and be able to offer this assistance to neighbouring teams.

Coquitlam SAR is Pleased to announce Significant Funding Support for HETS Capability | Coquitlam Search and Rescue

An urban search was performed by Coquitlam members of the area surrounding kensington mall on Hastings street.

At 5 am the search was suspended as the high probability areas were searched.

The following day, the subject was identified in a lower mainland hospital and reunited with family.

News story:  http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Police+find+missing+Burnaby+senior+with+Alzheimer/5430055/story.htm

Burnaby: Missing Elderly Male (Located) | Coquitlam Search and Rescue