Shaming people who need to be rescued doesn’t send the right message, B.C. SAR manager says
Posted February 5, 2021 7:36 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It has been an incredibly busy start to the year for Lower Mainland search and rescue crews. And while in many cases people are incredibly grateful for help, that’s not always the case.
Earlier this week, a snowboarder who was rescued on the North Shore almost seemed angry after he was helped.
Dwight Yochim at the BC Search and Rescue Association says members try to prepare for any reaction.
“We talk to the family members, the caregivers, and we ask how they’re likely to respond. So it is challenging and you do have to really investigate as a SAR manager what that state of mind is like,” he explains.
RELATED: Shaming those who need to be rescued in B.C. backcountry is toxic, dangerous: SAR volunteer
Yochim says it’s not helpful to speak negatively to the missing subjects or shame them in any way.
“Our job is to find you safe and return you safely,” he tells NEWS 1130.
He says if you are ever in a situation where you need help, stay where you are and call emergency crews right away.
“We’re not going to judge you in any way. We’re not going to comment how you go into the situation,” he adds. “We’re almost as happy as they are to find them.”
With an increase in searches lately, Yochim recommends checking out AdventureSmart to help prepare for an outing in B.C.’s backcountry.
-with files from John Ackermann
