North Shore rescue outlines exactly what to do when in need of help: SAR

NORTH SHORE (NEWS 1130) – An overdue camper who needed rescue Wednesday is being lauded by search crews on the North Shore as an example of what to do when you’re headed to the outdoors.

North Shore Rescue says the man’s contact notified the RCMP when he didn’t return from his overnight trip to Elsay Lake at the time he said he would.

It seems the man hurt his knee while out for a hike around the lake. NSR says when he was getting ready to head back home the next day, he realized he wouldn’t be able to make it all the way out due to the injury.

Tragedy was avoided. NSR says the man stayed where he was, adding he was “confident in his trip plan” and knew “his contact would call for rescue when he did not return.”

“He had made the smart choice to stay put and wait at the shelter, which is exactly where the NSR team found him,” a debrief note reads.

The man was found at his campsite with ample supplies.

The team says this call is “an excellent illustration” of why search and rescue groups continue to promote the “Three Ts” — Trip planning, Training, and Taking the essentials.

“This individual had researched his intended route and was well prepared for what he would encounter on his trip,” writes North Shore Rescue. “Most importantly, he had left a Trip Plan with details of his route/destination with someone who knew to raise the alarm – and did, with enough time for a quick helicopter response – when he did not return at the appointed time.”

North Shore Rescue is on track to break its record for annual service calls. In 2020, NSR crews responded to 151 calls. As of Aug. 4, 2021 the team was just shy of 140 calls for the year.