Image Credit: Central Okanagan Search and Rescue

The last three years for the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue have been the busiest in its 68-year history.

Last year came was its third-busiest ever with crews from the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue responding to 84 calls.

Search and rescue's busiest year was 2021 with it answering 107 calls, while 2020 saw 86 calls answered.

Last year's tasks included everything from searching for lost seniors in urban areas to winter rescues in the extreme cold, says a Central Okanagan Search and Rescue media release.

The volunteer-run organization has also rescued multiple injured mountain bikers, motorcyclists and UTV riders and conducted multi-day searches on Okanagan Lake for missing swimmers.

The search and rescue's 55 active members spent 4,080 hours on tasks and another 17,600 on training, administration, fundraising, and equipment maintenance for a total of 21,700 hours.

This is almost double the number of hours spent in 2020 at 11,390, and 6,000 hours more than in 2021 when members clocked in for 15,580 hours.

Search and Rescue want to remind the public when exploring the outdoors to make sure to have proper training, carry the 10 essentials, and file a trip plan.

“A few minutes on AdventureSmart.ca can mean the difference between life and death," Central Okanagan Search and Rescue manager Duane Tresnich said in the release.

In 2022 the search and rescue group added 16 new members.

"The capabilities of the medical team were significantly enhanced through training on advanced protocols and the addition of key personnel," the release says.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue was formed in 1954  and is the oldest search and rescue group in B.C. It's responsible for backcountry emergency services between Oyama, Peachland, Merritt and Rock Creek.

The release says the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue is the fourth busiest in the province behind Squamish, Vancouver's North Shore and Whistler.

B.C. has 78 volunteer search and rescue groups which receive more calls than the rest of Canada combined.

"COSAR is heavily dependent upon the financial support of the community as only 40 per cent of our funding for operational costs is provided by the government," Central Okanagan Search and Rescue president Brad Trites said in the release. "As such we are extremely grateful to organizations such as the Stober Foundation, TJ and Steph Real Estate Group, Central Okanagan Foundation, Beecroft Fuel Distribution, Mega Storage, Mr. Lube and numerous individuals within the community who helped us cover our financial needs. Every dollar we receive through donations truly helps us save lives."

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