BC AdventureSmart was created by the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) in 2004 offering reliable outdoor education for enthusiasts to increase their awareness and help reduce the number and severity of search and rescue incidents in B.C.
In the fall of 2023, the BCSARA launched the Adventure Hub, an online platform for recreation users in B.C. with information about eight provincial regions which provides complete adventure planning before you go. The online resources and training programs offer information on how to enjoy the outdoors safely.
Sandra Riches is the executive director for BC Search and Rescue Association’s BC AdventureSmart program. She recently spoke with Black Press about some of the emergency prepared programs offered online.
“We’ve got webinars, more information online and the whole idea is to help get everyone informed before they go so we can reduce the number and severity of call outs for SARS in B.C. That is ideally what we are after, we just do it in creative ways online with special guests as for topics it’s all data driven, working with chart data from Search and Rescue, steering that message accordingly.”
The most recent course online was on Feb. 29 about emergency evacuation with regards to pets, regardless of what type of pets you own, a veterinarian, Celine Rytz, shared her expertise. Riches describes Rytz as “well versed” and a frequent guest who teaches what is needed to get pets out safely in an emergency, whether it’s a quake, removal from your home or property.
“Prior to the veterinarian coming on we have a B.C. emergency preparedness trainer talking about the need for a grab and go bag for people and then Ritz speaks to what we need to safely plan for our pets as well,” Riches explained. “Rytz is the CEO of Backcountry Aid and Rescue Kit or BARK, which provides first aid training and pet first aid kits and she is also a certified pet first aid instructor.”
Riches states the purpose for programs like this are in providing the tips and tools to planning ahead for people and animals in the event of an emergency.
Even though this particular seminar date is now past, the “webinars” are recorded and accessible after the initial viewing anytime via the Adventure Hub online: https://bcsara.com/directory-adventurehub/
“People can watch them after on the BC Search and Rescue Association’s YouTube channel that supports BC AdventureSmart in the province and can be watched on demand in case anyone has missed them. We’ve had some really great topics throughout the winter programs such as ‘Trauma in the Mountains’, we’ve had Avalanche Canada join us, and a guide from Canada West Mountain School talking about outdoor safety in the winter, as well as BC Parks joining us for their winter perspectives and Parks Canada was also a guest this winter, to give a few examples of what we have been offering,” says Riches.
Ryan McLarty, current president, and manager of Wells Gray SAR says BC AdventureSmart is a program that the SAR teams in the province embrace and endorse.
“Currently our team has AdventureSmart instructors on our team that teach the variety of AdventureSmart programming. From a SAR perspective a great number of our calls are initiated by members of the public that venture into the outdoors and are not prepared for misadventures as they occur. The goal of BC AdventureSmart is to give the public the tools to plan and prepare for these misadventures. Hopefully over time the number of SAR call outs will decrease as the general public is better prepared to deal with the mishaps that the wilderness presents at times.”
McLarty would like to see the BC AdventureSmart programs as an integral part of the education curriculum for elementary students.
“I would encourage all wilderness users to be familiar with the new AdventureSmart Trip Plan app.”
Barriere SAR president, Marc Tremblay agrees with McLarty.
“I would love to see AdventureSmart taught in schools. We are hoping to have an instructor with Barriere SAR in the near future. I promote the programs and educate the public as much as possible before they go out in the backcountry or even for just planning regular trips.”
If you are interested in learning more about BC AdventureSmart and the Adventure Hub app, please visit: https://bcsara.com/directory-adventurehub/
Looking to train and volunteer for Search and Rescue in your area? Check out BC Search and Rescue: https://bcsara.com/sar-in-bc/
