About ASAR.

Our Mission

To save lives by bringing the lost and injured home

100% volunteer and on-call 24/7, 365 days a year.

Arrowsmith SAR (ASAR) is responsible for all land and inland water searches and rescues from Cook Creek to Lantzville, up to the West end of Cathedral Grove and to the islands of Lasqueti and Jedidiah. We work with all other groups around the province, the RCMP, local Fire Departments and BC Ambulance to provide the best response and care for those who are injured or missing in BC.

50+ YEARS

Committed to serving our communities province-wide.

40+ Members

Skilled in mountain, swiftwater & urban operations.

All Search and Rescue groups in BC operate under Emergency Management of British Columbia, and most of our training is administered by the Justice Institute of British Columbia along with other training partners. All of BC Search and Rescue groups are 100% volunteer and on-call 24/7, 365 days a year.

How it started…

Search and Rescue started in this area in the mid 1960’s when members of the Parksville and Coombs-Hilliers Fire Departments were called whenever a hunter or hiker was missing. There was no formal training at that time, these 2 Fire Departments were called as they had experienced members who knew the area well.

Ground Rescue
To become a Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) member, volunteers must undergo extensive training such as search techniques/types, rope rescue, water safety, navigation by map and compass, the use of a GPS, radio commands, overnight survival, wilderness first aid and helicopter safety. These skills are passed on by our in house JIBC certified instructors. All SAR members in BC receive no pay for the time they contribute. GSAR certified members may then take training to become a member of one of our specialty teams.
Rope Rescue

In addition to regular GSAR training hours, rope rescue members must spend a considerable amount of time to maintain their Rope Rescue certification.

Members are trained in slope rescues, high angle rescues, stretcher rigging, subject packaging, and pick off techniques for climbers who are stuck half way up or down a cliff face.

ASAR is responsible for all wild land rope rescue in the district 69 area.
Swift Water Rescue

Members Trained in Swift Water Rescue regularly practice a wide variety of skills, ranging from flood evacuations to Swift water rescue techniques in canons and fast current rapids. First Aid skills are very different in the fast moving water ways than on land, so time is spent going over may scenarios to train for any injury that someone may present with. The Swift Water team spends time every year going over pre-plans for high risk area’s in our community. We are always looking out for the safety of the public and doing everything we can to be most prepared for your worst day.

Help us to save lives.

We are a non-profit organization and service our communities primarily on donations. We appreciate every donation regardless of size.

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GET IN TOUCH

Address:
1050 Ravensbourne Lane
Qualicum Beach, BC
V9K 1N1
Phone (Non-Emergency):
250-752-7774
Email:
info@arrowsmithsar.ca

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