On Saturday, Nelson Search and Rescue will host the first large inter-regional exercise since COVID.
They are expecting over 100 search and rescue members from 14 teams in the East and West Kootenay and Okanagan to take part in workshops and training at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park.
Eleven workshop stations will be set up for participants to rotate through, including swiftwater rescue, rope rescue, helicopter hover exit training, medical and survival.
Scott Spencer with Nelson SAR says typically these exercises are held annually, alternating between East and West Kootenay, but it has been a few years since the last one, “so everyone’s looking forward to getting together for the first time in quite a few years.”
All workshops will take place in areas where public viewing will be possible.
“We’re encouraging the public to see what we’re doing,” Spencer said. “We train hard to make sure people are safe in the backcountry.”
All workshops will be viewable between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For rope rescue and swiftwater, platforms will be set up where you can view things from a distance. Other workshops will allow you to get a little closer to the action.