RCMP’s Search and Rescue Team Reminds Manitobans to Enjoy the Outdoors Safely This Fall

News

The Manitoba RCMP’s Search and Rescue Team, which is comprised of 19 trained officers, deploys approximately 20-30 times every year to search for individuals who have gone missing following a recreational outdoor activity. This includes searching for hikers, hunters, boaters and snowmobilers.

We partner with the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Manitoba (SARMAN), the Civilian Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) and the Joint Rescue Coordination Center. The combined effort from these groups provides us the greatest chance of locating our missing person.

As of October 9, 2018, the Manitoba RCMP’s Search and Rescue Team has already been deployed on 24 occasions to various locations across the province. The shortest search required two person-hours and the longest required over 250 person-hours to complete. Unfortunately, the Team has been involved in multiple searches where the missing individual was located deceased.

With the weather quickly changing, the RCMP would like to remind those who like to enjoy our great outdoors to take the necessary precautions, including:

· Tell people where you will be going, your travel route and your expected date and time of return. Bring someone with you if possible.

· Dress for the weather and ensure you bring a survival pack that includes food, water, lighter or matches and items to keep warm.

· Bring a GPS device and ensure you are familiar with its use as cell phones may not work in many remote areas of the province.

· If you do become lost, please stay in one location and wait for assistance.