Sundre Search and Rescue (SSAR) has released a new video designed to keep visitors to the West County safe and prepared for emergencies.
Roger Tetreault, senior search manager with SSAR, says the filming took place west of Bearberry on Dec. 28, following an earlier day of scouting.
The 70-second video shows Tetreault at a mock accident scene involving a quad crash. It also includes a voice-over of a woman speaking to a 911 operator.
The filming was conducted under contract by Fireweed Creative, based in Calgary.
The video is part of the newly launched Distance to Assistance awareness program and campaign.
“Basically it is to get the message to the users of the backcountry to understand their distance to assistance,” said Tetreault. “It is based on the theme of help us help you. So help us help you by using a trip plan so we know where you are going and when you are expected back.
“Tell somebody where you are going and when you will be back. Use the premise, plan for the worst and hope for the best and be prepared.”
Activities that could apply include snowmobiling, quading, whitewater rafting, snowshoeing, skiing, canoeing, hiking, even berry picking, he said.
“We want people to look at the West Country and realize just how far they are from assistance,” he said. “It’s not a quick 911 call and the chances are 911 may not even work as far as cell coverage in the backcountry.
“Understand that help is not going to be three minutes away like it is in the cities. Understand that risk and plan for it.”
SSAR member Sonya Larson came up with the Distance to Assistance name.
With every visit to wilderness areas such as the West County having the potential to become an emergency, people need to be prepared, she said.
“People who go out west sometimes don’t understand that if they need help, it’s not a 911 call and a wait for 10 minutes for the EMS to show up,” said Larson. “The further out of town you get, the longer it takes for help to come to you.
“It could take many hours for help to arrive, so we need people to understand that they need to be prepared for an emergency and be prepared to wait for help. We want to create awareness that people going to the backcountry need to be prepared.”
The Distance to Assistance initiative includes a number of tips for outdoor users:
- Know your equipment and how to use it. Test it, check it often.
- Know your physical and mental limits, make good choices.
- Use the buddy system, never go out alone, look after each other.
- Know where you are going – make use of our trip planner.
- Tell someone where you are going and what time and day you expect to be back home.
- Take food, water, fire, shelter, appropriate clothing. Be prepared to stay longer than you planned.
- Are you aware there may be predators? What kinds may there be? What are appropriate deterrents?
- Who are you going to call if you need help? Not every community uses 911.
- Cellphone coverage may be extremely limited or non-existent .
- How long are you prepared to wait for help? Hours? Days?
- Are you prepared for changing weather?
- Weather can impede or completely stop helicopter rescue from being able to assist, or they may already be out on a call.
- SAR members are trained, professional volunteers. They have jobs and busy lives too. They are on-call and it may take time for them to mobilize. At times there may only be a few available.
- Different emergencies require different specialized training, such as high angle, swift water and others. Not all locations have all the training and specialized teams may have to come from a distance. This takes more time.
The video will be used by other Search and Rescue groups across Alberta to raise awareness in their respective areas.
For more information in the Distance to Assistance initiative or to view the video, see distancetoassistance.com.
The new video has been posted on Facebook and YouTube.
