Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR) is a crucial part of the Squamish Emergency Program Society (SEPS) with Squamish being the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada". The team consists of volunteers trained in search and rescue operations including Ground Search and Rescue, Tracking, Rope Rescue, Mountain Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, and Helicopter External Transportation System (HETS). The program responds to about 50 incidents each year.

All Squamish Emergency Program Society volunteers have basic first aid and CPR training, as required by the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP). However, many SEP members have higher levels of first aid and medical training. Within the Squamish team there are Occupational First Aid Attendants, Medical First Responders, Paramedics, Advanced Life Support Paramedics, Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners.  As regular on-going training, team members attend training sessions on hypothermia, spinal injury management, patient packaging, medical conditions, and fracture management.

SAR offers a variety of rescue services. There is no charge for these services; each service is described in more detail below.

Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR):

All Squamish SAR members have 80 hours of training in search procedures, map reading, compass skills, survival skills, communications, rope management, helicopter safety, and avalanche orientation. GSAR team members are an essential component of ground and inland water SAR in BC.

Rope Rescue:

The rope rescue team is skilled in rope rescue techniques necessary to safely and swiftly effect a top-down, dual-rope rescue.

Mountain Search and Rescue:

Squamish SARs operating area, which stretches from Howe Sound to the headwaters of the Squamish River is one of the most heavily used outdoor recreation areas in southwestern British Columbia. Our area includes the Stawamus Chief an international rock climbing destination, major peaks in Garibaldi Park, the Tantalus, and the Sky Pilot Mountain range. These mountains offer technically challenging and serious mountaineering objectives. Every Squamish mountain rescue team member is highly skilled and trained to provide search and rescue and first aid services in all types of terrain and in all seasons.

Helicopter External Transportation System (HETS):

Squamish SAR provides HETS, which uses a helicopter with a long line to extract injured subject(s), in difficult to reach locations.  This group includes volunteers with over 100 years of cumulative SAR experience.  Members of the HETS team are selected for their advanced expertise in emergency health care, mountain travel, technical rock climbing, rope rescue, and water rescue skills.

Water Search and Rescue:

The water rescue team has members certified in jet boat operations and swift water rescue. The team has a sound working knowledge of swiftwater dynamics and water-related physiology. They are trained in the rescue and extrication of an accident victim(s) from the water. They are able to safely swim and maneuver themselves in swiftwater.  Team members are able to negotiate river hazards and obstacles at various water levels up to Class V-VI. The team is able to conduct a river search and organize flood disaster management.

Tracking:

Squamish SAR have members certified in tracking, which over the years has shown to be a very effective technique in locating lost persons. Tracking is a step by step technique used to follow a person using clues, sign, and tracks to gain information and locate the subject.