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Oplopanax Horridus

A veteran SAR volunteer's experiences in British Columbia

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Tag: opinion

Would signs help?

By Michael Coyle Posted on 01/02/2016 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with opinion, prevention, safety
Would signs help?

Would signs indicating how many people die in gullies on the North Shore each year help inform people about the dangers of skiing beyond the ropes?

Funding announcement this week

By Michael Coyle Posted on 29/01/2016 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with funding, opinion
Funding announcement this week

Some initial comments on the 10 million funding announcement for BCSARA today. Putting the money where it belongs First off, a 10 million dollar disbursement from the government to the BC Search and Rescue Association puts right up front the message …

Funding announcement this week Read more »

Cypress Mountain and charging for rescue

By Michael Coyle Posted on 14/01/2014 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with no charge for rescue, opinion, SAR
Cypress Mountain and charging for rescue
Picture credit Trevor Hawkins

Cypress Mountain has posted signage indicating anyone calling for rescue could be charged a “fee” of $1000. Why this policy is extremely misguided.

On posting rewards

By Michael Coyle Posted on 18/06/2013 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with opinion, rant, reward, SAR, Tyler Wright
On posting rewards

The family of a Canadian man missing in Australia posted $100,000 reward for his recovery alive or dead. Amateurs from all over converge on site.

Are GoPro Cameras correlated with accidents?

By Michael Coyle Posted on 11/01/2013 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with gear, opinion, psychology, SAR, technology

A friend emailed me recently to ask if there was a co-relation between rescues and subjects wearing GoPro cameras, which got me thinking…

Risk is part of Adventure

By Michael Coyle Posted on 07/01/2013 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with blame, opinion, rescue, risk, victim
Risk is part of Adventure

Comments on an excellent letter to the Vancouver Sun regarding the nature of risk, adventure, and the right of the individual to take risks

Stop with the Smart Phones already

By Michael Coyle Posted on 30/11/2012 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with backcountry, communications, gear, GPS, opinion, rant, safety, smart phone, social media, technology

People are still under the impression a Smart Phone can replace a GPS in the wilderness, and they’re still wrong.

WorkSafeBC Report into death of SAR Volunteer

By Michael Coyle Posted on 15/11/2012 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with death, hazard, injury, opinion, risk

The WorkSafeBC report into a SAR Volunteer’s death is boiled down into headlines before the upcoming inquest.

We don’t need Heroes

By Michael Coyle Posted on 30/07/2012 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with accident, management, opinion, rescue, risk, safety
We don’t need Heroes

The Victoria Times Colonist asks if there’s leeway for first responders to be heroes, indicating they do not understand Emergency Response

Elliot Lake; the rescuers speak

By Michael Coyle Posted on 13/07/2012 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with accident, Elliot Lake, HUSAR, opinion, rescue
Elliot Lake; the rescuers speak

In an article in this month’s Maclean’s magazine rescuers at Elliot Lake tell their story; it seems that the media and the public were wrong

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