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Arrowsmith SAR is shocked and saddened to hear the news about Coquitlam Search and Rescue Member Mike Coyle. Mike’s impact on SAR has been huge. We still use software he developed several years ago that allows us to send a text to a lost person that gives us their exact location when they reply. Our thoughts are with his family, friends as well as his very large SAR family at this difficult time.
5 days ago
Condolences to his family and friends. Very sad news 😥💔
'Angels on earth don't have to stay as long as the rest of us.' Sincere condolences to his family & your Search & Rescue groups who so diligently keep us safer. 🙏.. kt
In my thoughts and prayers, so very sorry
Condolences to his family and friends thank you for your Service RIP Sir 🙏
Thank you for your service. 🙏💔
Respect for his work 💕
Deepest condolences to all who knew this special person. So sad 😪
What happened ?
A true loss.💔
Rest in peace. Bravo Zulu on a life of dedicated service.
🕊 R.I.P.
Romeo India Papa....gods speed❣️
💔🙏🌍✨️🤍🤍🤍✨️
Rip 🙏🏻🙏🏻
🙏
RIP fine sir. You earned your wings
Hotel Echo Romeo Oscar❤️❤️👍🏾
Thank you for your service RIP and condolences to the family and friends
Condolences to his families. Sad news for sure😟
RIP and a loss to the community for sure.
Sending love and peace to Mike's family and friends
So sad to hear. Deepest condolences to his friends and family. Thank you for your service, dedication and bravery.
What happened
Sending my condolences to family and friends
So sorry for your loss to the family, and his SAR s family, it’s always heartbreaking when someone passes , even sadder when they are so darn young. He will be missed 💔
Arrowsmith SAR is shocked and saddened to hear the news about Coquitlam Search and Rescue Member Mike Coyle. Mike’s impact on SAR has been huge. We still use software he developed several years ago that allows us to send a text to a lost person that gives us their exact location when they reply. Our thoughts are with his family, friends as well as his very large SAR family at this difficult time. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Condolences to his family and friends. Very sad news 😥💔
'Angels on earth don't have to stay as long as the rest of us.' Sincere condolences to his family & your Search & Rescue groups who so diligently keep us safer. 🙏.. kt
In my thoughts and prayers, so very sorry
Condolences to his family and friends thank you for your Service RIP Sir 🙏
Thank you for your service. 🙏💔
Respect for his work 💕
Deepest condolences to all who knew this special person. So sad 😪
What happened ?
A true loss.💔
Rest in peace. Bravo Zulu on a life of dedicated service.
🕊 R.I.P.
Romeo India Papa....gods speed❣️
💔🙏🌍✨️🤍🤍🤍✨️
Rip 🙏🏻🙏🏻
🙏
RIP fine sir. You earned your wings
Hotel Echo Romeo Oscar❤️❤️👍🏾
Thank you for your service RIP and condolences to the family and friends
Condolences to his families. Sad news for sure😟
RIP and a loss to the community for sure.
Sending love and peace to Mike's family and friends
So sad to hear. Deepest condolences to his friends and family. Thank you for your service, dedication and bravery.
What happened
Sending my condolences to family and friends
So sorry for your loss to the family, and his SAR s family, it’s always heartbreaking when someone passes , even sadder when they are so darn young. He will be missed 💔
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🚨 A Busy Week for Arrowsmith Search and Rescue 🚨
Since July 3, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue has responded to an operational task every day except July 4. On July 5, 7, and 10, our teams were called to two incidents in a single day, making for one of the busiest stretches of the summer so far.
Over the past week, our volunteers responded to:
🔹 July 3 – Injured hiker at Nile Creek, requiring a hoist rescue with assistance from GSAR.
🔹 July 5 – Two simultaneous calls: Stamp Falls and a stranded climber at Bonnell Falls. Thank you to Nanaimo Search and Rescue and Lions Bay Search and Rescue for their invaluable assistance.
🔹 July 6 – Search and rescue response at Stamp Falls.
🔹 July 7 – Two calls: overdue hikers on Mt. Arrowsmith and an incident at Stamp Falls.
🔹 July 8 – Assisted Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department with a dog rescue.
🔹 July 9 – Response at Stamp Falls.
🔹 July 10 – Called to Horne Lake for a report of a person in the water, followed shortly by a second call to rescue an injured climber at the Horne Lake Amphitheatre. A special thank you to Comox Valley Search & Rescue for the late night assistance.
The Horne Lake climber rescue became a complex and highly technical operation involving ground search teams, rope rescue specialists, and our CDFL/hoist team. With support from Comox SAR, the subject was successfully airlifted in what became ASAR’s first night hoist rescue.
Most importantly, we want to extend our sincere thanks to our volunteers, their families, and the communities we serve. The equipment, resources, training, and dedicated people that make these rescues possible are only available because of the ongoing support of local residents, businesses, donors, and community partners. Your support helps ensure that when someone needs help, highly trained volunteers are ready to answer the call; day or night.
Together, we are stronger, and together we help bring people home.
#ArrowsmithSAR #SearchAndRescue #BCSAR #AirspanHelicopters #AscentHelicopters ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
You’re all amazing, thank you for your service.👏👏
Thank you !
Thank you all for what you do 🙏🏻 So thankful for your service 😁 Stay safe 🙏🏻 💕
so thankful for you all. ❤️
Bravo Zulu you amazing and awesome dedicated team of SAR volunteers 🤙🏻👏🏻 Volunteers make the world go around ❣️
Watched the rescue at Horne Lake for the injured climber. Kudos to the SAR teams for a successful first night hoist rescue. Stay Safe!
SARS are our Heroes .
Thank you so much for what you do! BZ 🫡
Tim Watling
Stamp Falls is a problem
Shelley Grotkowski O'Rourke
Thank you Arrowsmith Search And Rescue ! You are all amazing 🤩
Thank you for everything you do 🙏
Yeh. TEAMS
Thank you for everything you do.
Thank you to all SAR teams. Stamp Falls is mentioned four times in one week……
Thank you for everything your team does!
Thank you. For being there.
Well thank you to all of your team. 💖 Unbelievable how committed you all are. You are invaluable to the outdoor community
Thank you for everything you do
🙏♥️
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Our thoughts go out to the friends and family during these tough times. Together we are stronger. ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Comment on Facebook
🕊️♥️It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed since we lost Joe Kinch to cancer.
After retiring from the Canadian Army and making Errington his home, Joe joined Arrowsmith SAR and quickly became an invaluable member of our team. During his time with Search and Rescue, he completed GSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, Team Leader, and SAR Manager training, always demonstrating a deep commitment to serving others and strengthening our organization.
Joe was instrumental in establishing our equine search team and played a key role in guiding the development of Provincial Operating Guidelines for this capability in British Columbia. His vision, dedication, and willingness to share his knowledge left a lasting impact that continues to benefit SAR volunteers and communities today.
Most of all, Joe will be remembered for his leadership and his remarkable ability to bring people together. He inspired those around him, built strong teams, and led with both purpose and humility.
Today, we reflect on Joe’s many contributions and the legacy he left behind. He is greatly missed, and we are thinking of Joe and his family as we #searchandrescue.#SARe#searchandrescuevolunteerh#rememberingjoekinchR#InMemoriamoeKinch #InMemoriam ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
He was our kids’ school bus driver and was one of the kindest humans. We send love to his family and loved ones 💖
Joe was such a kind man. We brought him in a couple times when I was a Beaver Leader for the 1st Parksville Scouts, he was amazing with the kids.
Thanks for this loving post on this anniversary - hard to believe it’s been so long (he loved his time with ASAR!)
He was in Desert Storm and attributed his cancer to being exposed to the toxic smoke when they burned the Kuwait oil fields.
It sure doesn’t seem that long ago.
Joe was a guiding light when I first joined ASAR. He set us on the straight and narrow but was always kind, fair and supportive!
He was an amazing man who touched a lot of lives ❤️Hugs to you in heaven Joe 🤗
I always had a blast when Joe was on a call. Such and awesome person.
Not only was Joe a beloved school bus driver, dressing up as a ballerina on Halloween but he was a stalwart Union member and negotiated fair collective agreement language that is integral for many members today!
Scott Sheppard
I think of him often. Always enjoyed visits with him at the schoolboard office, so lucky when getting paired with him during ASAR training way back when and miss him during Final Roll Call on Remembrance Days. Such a wonderful man💝
Loved meeting Joe as part of our Backcountry Horsemen group - he was so kind, interesting and knowledgeable. Sadly missed for sure!
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🌙🚁This week, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue (ASAR) and Alberni Valley Rescue Squad (AVRS) proudly achieved a game changing capability: night hoist rescue operations.
Working alongside the exceptional team at Ascent Helicopters in Parksville, our members trained, tested, and successfully demonstrated this advanced skillset—marking the first civilian BC Search and Rescue (BCSAR) teams on Vancouver Island to achieve helicopter night hoist rescue capability.
This new capability will make a meaningful difference when it matters most. It will help us:
✔️Reach injured or stranded patients faster after dark
✔️Conduct night rescues in remote and difficult terrain where ground access is limited
✔️Improve safety for both patients and rescuers during complex evacuations
We’re incredibly excited to continue building this partnership with Ascent Helicopters and to work closely with our SAR partners in Port Alberni to provide life-saving nighttime helicopter services to those in need.
A huge congratulations to our dedicated Hoist Team—their extra training, commitment, and professionalism in this high-risk role make this achievement possible. They step up time and again, driven by their deep care fo#nighthoistn#SAR
#helicoptert#searchandrescuer#arrowsmithsarcue #arrowsmithsar ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Great work, welcome to the club!
Congratulations! We that traverse the hillsides are extremely thankful you are there whenever we may find ourselves in need!
What an asset! I am so happy for you and for the folks that you help that get in trouble at night. Difference can be life and death!😋❤️❤️
You guys are making my dreams come true!! Nice to see this capability!
This is a game changer. I was rescued. Last year june 11th and it had to be north shore search and rescue with Talon Helicopters to pick me out. Super grateful to have been rescued by them.But to have this local is gonna make a big difference. We'll done 🙏
Congratulations!
Well done crew.
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🧭💪 Training Never Stops 💪🧭
Behind every successful rescue are countless hours of training.
At Arrowsmith Search and Rescue, our volunteers are constantly building and refining their skills—from navigation and patient care ⛑️ to technical rescue 🚁, rope systems 🪢, communications 📻, and emergency response.
We train in realistic environments, practice challenging scenarios, and work together as a team so we’re prepared for whatever the next call may bring.
Because when someone needs help, there isn’t time to learn—there’s only time to respond.
Our commitment to ongoing training helps ensure we’re ready to serve our community safely, professionally, and effectively, #arrowsmithsar,#searchandrescue.#TrainingMattersA#RescueReadyR#VolunteerDrivenatters #RescueReady #VolunteerDriven BCSAR SARStrong PreparedToRespond EmergencyResponse Teamwork CommunityFirst AlwaysLearning 🚨🌲 ... See MoreSee Less
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🚨 Tuesday Night Callout at Bonnell Falls 🚨
At approximately 9:00 PM Tuesday evening, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue (ASAR) was tasked to respond to a stranded climber at Bonnell Falls.
Our team quickly mobilized, bringing essential life-saving and rope rescue equipment to the scene. After a thorough assessment, the subject was found to be stable but in a precarious and exposed position.
ASAR’s highly skilled rope rescue team immediately went to work, rigging a technical rescue system. With seamless coordination from our ground and support teams, a rescuer was able to safely lower down to the climber, secure them, and bring them back up to safety.
Once at the top, the subject was assessed for any medical concerns and safely escorted from the area. ✅
A huge thank you to the entire ASAR team, with special recognition to our dedicated rope technicians. This successful outcome is a direct result of strong teamwork, ongoing training, and regular practice; making even complex rescues feel like second nature.
👏 Well done, team.
📸: ⓔⓡⓘⓚ ⓦ ⓗⓐⓝ#asar
#searchandrescueR#roperescueR#teamworka#trainingpaysoffaysOff ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Well Done. Thank you team.
thank you for always being available
So awesome 👍 thank you!👏
Nice work!
Amazing 👏
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🚁 When Every Second Counts 🚁
Some rescues can’t be reached by road or trail. That’s where helicopter operations become a vital part of Search and Rescue.
Working alongside our aviation partners, our volunteers train extensively in helicopter safety, patient packaging, and technical hoist operations. Every movement is carefully coordinated, every decision deliberate, and every team member focused on one goal, bringing people home safely. 💛
These operations require precision, trust, and countless hours of training behind the scenes. When the call comes, we’re r#arrowsmithsard#searchandrescueR#HelicopterRescue #hoistrescuee#technicalrescuee #TechnicalRescue ... See MoreSee Less
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🚙🌲 UTV Training: Ready for the Road Less Traveled 🌲🚙
When every minute counts, getting the right people and equipment to the right place is critical.
Our Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) allow us to access remote trails, forestry roads, rugged terrain, and areas that larger vehicles simply can’t reach. 🧭⛰️
That’s why our volunteers spend time training on safe UTV operation, navigation, patient transport, and recovery techniques. Every training session helps build the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively when a call for help comes in. 🚨
From search operations to medical evacuations, UTVs are an important part of our response capability—and training ensures we’re ready to use them safely and efficiently.
💛 Prepared. Equip#arrowsmithsarR#searchandrescuem#utvtrainingc#UTVRescue #RescueReady #UTVRescue #RescueReady ... See MoreSee Less
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🚨🌲 Who We Are 🌲🚨
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue is a dedicated team of highly trained volunteers serving Vancouver Island and surrounding communities.
Whether it’s dense forests 🌲, rugged mountains 🏔️, swiftwater environments 🌊, or urban settings 🏙️, our team is prepared to respond in all terrain and all weather conditions. 🌧️☀️❄️
Behind every rescue is a group of volunteers committed to training, teamwork, and serving others when they need it most. 💛
24/7.
365 days a year.
Ready to answer the cal#arrowsmithsari#searchandrescueR#VolunteerDrivenD#RescueReadye#vancouverislandIsland ... See MoreSee Less
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🌞🌲 Summer Is Just Around the Corner! 🌲🌞
Longer days ☀️
Warmer weather 🌡️
More adventures 🥾🚴♂️🏕️
We know you’re ready to hit the trails, explore new places, and make the most of summer on Vancouver Island. 💛
Before you head out:
🧭 Make a plan
💧 Pack extra water
🎒 Bring the essentials
📱 Tell someone where you’re going
🌲 Leave no trace
A little preparation goes a long way toward making sure your adventure is memorable for all the right reasons.
Here’s to sunny skies, epic adventures, and sa#arrowsmithsare#summeriscomingi#AdventureSmartC#searchandrescueS#vancouverislandescue #VancouverIsland ExploreResponsibly StaySafeOutdoors ... See MoreSee Less
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🚁 Thank You, Bowser Legion! 🇨🇦
ASAR would like to extend our sincere thanks to The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 211: Bowser & Area for their incredibly generous donation of $1,500.
This contribution means a great deal to our team. The Bowser Legion has been a longtime supporter of ASAR, and their continued generosity plays a vital role in helping us grow and improve. Donations like this directly support new equipment, advanced training, and enhanced operational capabilities.
We’re especially excited to share that these funds will contribute to expanding our FlyCart drone capabilities, allowing us to better serve our community with faster, safer, and more effective responses.
Thank you, Bowser Branch 211, for standing with us and supporting the work we do. We are truly grateful for your ongoing commitment. 🙏
#ThankYou #CommunitySupport #ASAR #SearchAndRescue #BowserLegion ... See MoreSee Less
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Wonderful that's fantastic congratulations
Awesome support! 👏