Arrowsmith Search and Rescue is a group of dedicated volunteers who provide a vital lifeline to those who are lost or injured in the Arrowsmith region on Vancouver Island for over 50 years. Our coverage ranges from Cook Creek to Lantzville, out to the east end of Cameron Lake to Jedidiah and Lasqueti Islands. From the rugged wilderness to urban and shoreline searches, we put all of our skills and training towards keeping our community safe, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This includes our specialized teams of rope rescue, swift water rescue, equine and ATV rescue. We continue to be forever grateful for the support from local government, businesses and individuals who have contributed resources toward training and equipment which is essential to keeping our group proficient.

Little Qualicum River Rescue a Real Team Effort

On December 12th, Oceanside RCMP tasked Arrowsmith Search and Rescue with an extremely technical and challenging rescue of a man who was clinging to a log in the freezing waters of Little Qualicum River. The man had fallen into the rushing river ending up only 4 - 5 meters above a waterfall where he was in imminent danger of being swept over. Nick Rivers, a 10 year veteran with ASAR, is trained and certified in swift water and rope rescue. He was lowered 26 meters by rope into the rushing waters where he used all his skill and strength to grab hold of the man and drag him to the river's edge. The 30 member volunteer rescue team on the cliff above pulled the two up and the man was rushed to hospital.

Dramatic video of the rescue was shared on social media and was picked up by local, provincial, and national news outlets. As a result, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue (ASAR) received overwhelming support from the community and other SAR and first responder groups. The ASAR rescue team wants to extend its sincere appreciation to the other teams involved in the successful rescue, considering it a privilege to have collaborated with the dedicated and skilled members of the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad, Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department, Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department, BC Ambulance Service, Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park staff, and Oceanside RCMP.

ASAR is a highly trained 100% volunteer group, on call 24/7/365 operating in the Oceanside area of Vancouver Island. Our quiet community-based heroes are trained in ground, rope and swift water rescues and are dedicated to bringing your lost or injured loved ones home.

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