Squamish Search and Rescue
A volunteer community-based organization that provides 24/7 search and rescue services in and around Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.
Our Purpose
What We Do
Accidents happen in the outdoors; members of our team provide the technical and emergency medical skills required to reach, treat and extricate injured, distressed or lost people from the backcountry.
Where We Respond
Our primary response area extends from Porteau Cove to Whistler. We respond to emergencies in locations not accessible to other emergency services, such as fast moving water and mountainous terrain.
How to Call
For backcountry emergencies, dial 911 and ask for the police. Where cellular service does not exist, activate your satellite based messaging device, stay in one place, and talk to the operator.
Squamish Search and Rescue operates on the unceded territory of the Squamish Nation.
SAR STATS
Outdoor Safety
Staying safe requires more than just calling for help.
Assess
Stay calm, stop bleeding, stabilize critical injuries and move to a safe location before initiating a response.
Stay put
Moving too far after we’ve been dispatched further complicates extrication plans and may delay help.
Keep warm
Reaching your location may take time; carry extra layers, daily medications, and spare food/drink.
Be visible
Waving, bright colours, smoke, whistle blasts and loud noises will all help us locate you sooner.
Be Safe
Once located, the helicopter and crew may land nearby, or leave to reconfigure for a return flight. Do not approach the helicopter while blades are turning.
As part of our commitment to safety, we deliver presentations to upwards of 1500 adults & children per year. Connect with our volunteers to organize a presentation: <prevention@squamishsar.org>
Contribute
The team relies on donations, grants and corporate sponsorship to maintain a state of readiness. All funds raised directly impact our team’s capabilities and your generosity makes our work possible.
Want to Join?
Our members respond 365 days a year. If you have the availability to contribute in an ongoing basis, please consider volunteering with us.
Media Requests
Given the sensitive nature of our work, our members cannot share real-time information about search and rescue operations. For media releases and requests contact the Squamish RCMP at (604) 892-6100.