“Over the last decade, a staggering 99% of people needing Search and Rescue assistance in Oregon lived outside the county where they were rescued -- underscoring that people exploring the state may be inexperienced, unprepared or exploring unfamiliar terrain when heading out to adventure." This is an important point according to State of Oregon Search and Rescue Coordinator Scott Lucas. "Summer is always a busy time for Oregon's SAR program, and 2022 has been no exception. The good news is, SAR missions are down 22% from this time last year. The flip side is injuries are up 35% -- so fewer missions but greater injuries. We're especially seeing an increase in alpine rescues – rescues in mountainous regions at 5,000 feet and above.

"On average over the past decade, alpine rescues are up 100%; 19% over the last year alone. Climbing injuries are up 26%, owing to people not knowing the area, proper routes or their own limits. These increases have led to more extreme lifesaving helicopter missions, up 41% over last year. Our SAR teams have already performed 596 missions to date this year, most of those attending to hiking injuries for people who were ill-prepared for their adventure."

Lucas continued, "Oregon is known for year-round outdoor recreation. This week, archery hunting season opens, and Oregon's new rules of drawing tags means many hunters will be in new and unfamiliar locations. That, combined with folks looking to squeeze in the last bit of summer, may escalate the risk and resulting SAR missions. There's also a greater risk of human-caused fires as we hit the height of wildfire season."

Lucas points out that "one positive upward trend is the use of GPS tracking devices. This tells us that people are starting to pay greater attention to our SAR messaging and understand the importance of being prepared. Having a plan helps prepare explorers for any Oregon adventure – as those of us in emergency management know all too well. Now is a critical time to remind our audiences of best safety practices when heading outdoors, including getting familiar with the area they're heading, bringing printed maps, checking local fire restrictions, packing appropriately, traveling with a companion, and always letting someone know where they're going and when they'll be back.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Lucas reminds outdoor enthusiasts that "people should always know their physical limits and plan for activities that won't exceed their experience to avoid becoming a search and rescue statistic."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-23 06:40:34

Last Update: 2022-08-23 11:48:19