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Sparwood SAR perform two weekend rescues in Bull Valley
Sparwood Search and Rescue (SAR) was called out twice this weekend, both times for injured cyclists in the Bull River valley.
Late on Friday night a cyclist sustained multiple injuries after crashing on a rocky section of road and activated his SPOT satellite messenger. As the call came in late at night and road access from the Elk Valley side was still snowed in, a team from Cranbrook Search and Rescue drove in with us providing SAR management support, and brought the subject out to a waiting ambulance.
Then on Sunday afternoon (June 12), a cyclist had his bear spray go off accidentally while he was riding, disorienting him and causing him multiple injuries from crashing into a rock. He also used a SPOT device to call for help, and in this case we sent a team of Sparwood SAR members in with Ascent Helicopters Ltd. to locate the subject, provide first aid and fly him out to an ambulance.
These incidents highlight the importance of carrying a satellite communication/distress alerting device in the backcountry. If the subjects hadn’t been, rescue would have been a long way off as there is no cell service to speak of in that area.
Also, a great reminder that while bear spray is an outdoors necessity at this time of year, you need to carry it securely and check that the safety clip is firmly in place.
For more great safety advice for your next adventure, follow BC AdventureSmart and visit www.AdventureSmart.ca
Sparwood Search and Rescue photo
Sparwood Search and Rescue