Cochrane Search and Rescue saw a busy summer this year, and now, with heightened COVID-19 restrictions in place, and more people venturing outdoors they believe that the fall and winter months have the potential to be equally active. 

Corporal Troy Savinkoff is the Search and Rescue Liasion with the Cochrane RCMP and he says that there's typically increased traffic in the mountain areas at this time of year, with many people choosing to winter exploration on skidoos and backcountry skiing and hiking.

Savinkoff says that the majority of incidents that require a search and rescue to be executed at this time of year involve people with little experience.
"The main issues we get are with inexperienced people going out and they do get lost," says Savinkoff. "There are times where perhaps avalanches happen with changing temperatures, we also have issues with the ice, we have to make sure that people stay off the ice in these sort of times."

Savinkoff strongly recommends using a buddy system, even if you are a seasoned explorer, and he says it's important to share your trip plan with a friend or family member.

"Make sure that before you head out your friends and family know exactly where you're going to go," says Savinkoff. "What's super helpful is knowing exactly where you plan to stage. that makes rescue efforts a lot more efficient when we can go straight to your last known location."

In addition to sharing the trailhead that you'll be exploring, your emergency contact should also know what activity you'll be doing there, where you'll be parking, what you're wearing as well as the equipment you are carrying with you. Giving them a solid time frame of when you left and an idea of when you plan to return is also extremely helpful.

Savinkoff says that being properly equipped for the conditions is the most important factor to ensure your safety during an emergency situation. "Make sure you're properly equipped for the winter months," says Savinkoff. "With proper clothing, the ability to start a fire and some food."

In the event that you are travelling alone or don't have phone reception, a helpful tool is leaving a note on the windshield of your vehicle, including information like your name, departure date, and time. If you do get lost, this will help search and rescue teams to have an idea of your timeline.