Clara Hughes, the only athlete in history to win multiple medals at summer and winter Olympic, and thru-hiker, shares her experience of hiking 800kms along the Vancouver Island Trail. Her passion and energy are infused throughout this webinar and brings excellent hands-on experience for hikers of all levels.

Have you taken the pledge? Camping in British Columbia is full of adventure, exploring, friends and family. Add in a little bit of planning, prep, packing, and a few bugs along the way because it’s always an adventure.

This webinar welcomes Ken Wylie from Archetypal. Ken reveals the importance of clarity outdoors, the importance of empowerment outdoors, and the importance of resilience outdoors. This workshop will also describe how applying them directly affects your group dynamics on outdoor adventures.

Dr. Peter Koci, professor at Douglas College, discusses body health regarding preparation for outdoor recreation and how training, done strategically and safely, can help reduce the number and severity of search and rescue incidents.  Injury is the #1 reason and exceeding abilities is the #3 reason

Imagine spending an unplanned, overnight, in the mountains! Our guest, at 77 yrs., did exactly that. Join us as this hiker explains the rollercoaster and challenges faced from the time he left the trail until, finally, he was airlifted to safety. Comox Valley SAR member Paul Berry also a guest, shares insights from this SAR task, regional perspectives and reliable resources for hikers.

Easy access to the coast often gives visitors and residents, a false sense of security. Local CoastSmart ambassadors Shandy Kariatsumari and Krissy Montgomery will splash you with their regional knowledge, entertain you with their coastal stories and definitely increase your awareness about how you can BE CoastSmart on the West Coast of British Columbia.

BC wildfire weather and conditions, accurate sources of information, and wildfire prevention are the hot topics of this event. Coming to you from the BC Wildfire Service Coastal Fire Centre, Warren Morozowski, Fire Weather Forecaster and Kimberly Kelly, Community Engagement Specialist are our special guests for this event.

Mountain bike guru, Christina Chappetta is an amazing advocate for Mountain Biking in her community. Join her as she runs through all of her tips and tricks for making sure you find the flow so you can really shred the trail — while making sure you can still get home at the end of the day!

BE Searchable! BE AdventureSmart! RECCO is a rescue technology used by organized rescue teams as an additional tool to more quickly locate people lost, in trouble or hurt in the outdoors. The system is based on a harmonic radar system and composed of a detector and a passive reflector integrated into outdoor clothing and gears.

⚠️WARNING: Contains detailed discussion of a mountain fatality.⚠️ The Mountain Muskox, provides safe, supportive, professional and peer facilitated, group circles for anyone who has experienced loss or trauma in the mountains. Learn more about a support system that is available in case there is ever the need.

Recognizing avalanche terrain takes a keen eye, insight and ‘training’! Learn from the experts and let Avalanche Canada introduce you, or remind you, to the key elements of safe backcountry travel. Guest speaker is avalanche forecaster Brad Christie.

This webinar welcomes a BC Parks Area Supervisor who is also a 30+ year search and rescue member veteran with Prince George SAR. Dave Merritt will shares his enthusiasm for the outdoors, his insights for winter adventures within BC Parks, safety precautions and was available to answer questions about his work, volunteerism and outdoor passions!

Parks Canada shared their winter activities, winter safety precautions, and offered subject matter expert advice directly from two of the Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National Park representatives; Public Outreach Education Officer, Laura Bernier and Visitor Safety Specialist Jonas Hoke.

Destination BC motivates travellers and the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides shares safety insights for winter ventures in the sea to sky region in this webinar. As partners, industry affiliates work closely with BC AdventureSmart supporting enthusiast’s adventures.

Do you know what the 7 principles of Leave No Trace are? The seven principles of Leave No Trace provide a framework of practices and techniques that encourage minimal impact on nature for anyone venturing into the outdoors. Join us to learn more!

• Chris Mushumanski, the president of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association shares why BCSARA doesn’t charge for rescue and how this stance supports the very active outdoor population in BC.

• Dr. Alec Richie is a highly acclaimed emergency physician at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver BC, a medical consultant for BC Emergency Health Services, and a clinical professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at UBC.

• Do you know how to manage a K-9 emergency in the wilderness? Our guest does! Celine Rytz is a veterinary medicine professional at Revelstoke Veterinary Clinic, ski coach and a small business owner of first aid kits for dogs.

• Data shows in 2020/21 more than 80 SAR tasks involved subjects experiencing dementia/Alzheimer’s. Every subject group matter, no matter how big or small the % of our annual call volume, needs to reach their destination safely aka home.

• Dr. Jelena Brcic, shares the ‘science’ behind the long-time list of essential safety gear and our second guest, Jay Darbyshire from Grant Forks SAR, shares the practical applications of why each item IS essential.

• This workshop will heighten your skills with preparation for your outdoor adventures, helping you reach your destination in AdventureSmart style! #destinationishome

• Learn from our own search and rescue volunteers! SAR volunteers from three of the 78 BC SAR groups; Grand Forks SAR, Lions Bay and North Shore Rescue share their ‘boots on the ground’ perspectives during this webinar.

• Recognizing avalanche terrain takes a keen eye, insight and training. Learn from the experts and let Avalanche Canada introduce you, or remind you, to the key elements of safe backcountry travel.

• This webinar fosters awareness of the risks associated with backcountry travel, focusing on how to be prepared and stay safe in unmanaged spaces.

• If you’re planning a winter backcountry adventure this webinar is for you. Learn about coordinating your outing, being equipped with training and gear, plus what to do in an emergency. Heading outdoors? Start @BCAdvSmart #bcadventuresmart

• S.T.O.P. Stop, Think, Observe, Plan. That’s exactly what Jenn Robinson did as a Good Samaritan to help an injured hiker reach her destination aka HOME. Jenn’s story is all about helping others in need. Jenn’s story is all about using sound judgement and being AdventureSmart.

   

• Christina Behme wasn’t expecting to get into trouble during the fall of 2022, however, she’s grateful for the support she received from Ridge Meadows SAR in helping her reach her destination aka HOME. She shares her story of getting lost and calling for help.

Learn about weather and how it affects your backcountry adventures with guest Fire weather Forecaster for the BC Wildfire Service, Brett Soderholm

Our guest Wendi Harder, is a 19 year veteran of Coquitlam Search and Rescue.

We’re thrilled to welcome RCM-SAR Station 2, from North Vancouver, with Randy Strandt a volunteer, as station lead, of 24 years to help us learn more and increase your awareness.

Carly is President of Nanaimo Search and Rescue and President of the BC SAR Dog Association, she will share her insights and expertise from both her roles, all in the name of public safety and for the love of (search) dogs!

the author of LOST PERSON BEHAVIOUR: A Search and Rescue Guide on Where to Look – for Land, Air and Water

• Julie-Ann Chapman – She Shreds Mountain Adventures
• Jason Wutke – BCA (Backcountry Access)
• Chris Brown – Ride Whistler

• Rob Munday – Blackcomb Helicopters Chief Hoist Operator
• Nathalie Drotar – Nats Adventure Travels
• Ollie Hooper – Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures

• Dr. Renata Lewis – Airwolf Medical
• Jason Wutke – BCA (Backcountry Access)
• Wendy Lewis – Avalanche Canada

• EatWild
• Nisga’a Nation
• Prince George Search and Rescue

• BC Parks Ranger (Strathcona)
• Comox Valley Search & Rescue
• Cowichan Tribes

• Kimberley Search & Rescue
• Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
• WildSafe BC

We’re pleased to have author, and avid hiker, Stephen Hui join us to celebrate hiking, safety and his new book.

Sandy Ward is a member of the Lil’wat Nation, and an avid backcountry snowboarder, mountain biker and climber. She has been snowboarding for 20 years and has been a competitive halfpipe rider, snowboard instructor and backcountry enthusiast

The Hug-a-Tree and Survive presentation is aimed at children aged 5–11 and is an AdventureSmart program that helps lost children survive in the woods. It teaches children how not to become lost in the woods, and what to do should they become lost.

The Snow Safety Education ~ “Backcountry” presentation fosters awareness of the risks associated with backcountry travel, focusing on being prepared and staying safe in unmanaged spaces.

If you’re planning a backcountry adventure this winter on snowshoes, hiking with friends, ski touring or split boarding; this presentation’s for you.

In an emergency, communicating with first responders requires technology, knowledge, and understanding of the steps necessary to make the right call.

Our special guests from the BC Search and Rescue Technology Committee will share their collective expertise of 38 years in SAR + 44 years in technology & communications.