There's an organization here in BC asking recreatioinal hikers/skiers/mountaineers to buy a "patronage" with them so they will rescue you if you get in trouble.

Be aware that in BC, rescue is free. You do not need a credit card or insurance.

This organization misrepresents the BC SAR system's capabilities - claiming that they can do things or go places SAR groups cannot and this is patently untrue.

There are 79 SAR groups throughout BC who are uniquely trained to respond to calls in their area.

There's no way an organization with two (or even three) bases can hope to outperform the SAR system with 79 teams and thousands of highly trained members who have intimate knowledge of the terrain and conditions they're responding to.

Please be aware: the public does not have to pay anyone for rescue in BC. Rescue is free, paid for by your taxes just like fire, police and paramedics.

Consider: you pay this organization to rescue you. You get into trouble, and hit the SOS button on your Inreach. Who comes for you?

We do. The call goes through EMBC to your local SAR team who are the best qualified and closest to your location to rescue you.

Consider: you get into trouble and you dial 911 (ALWAYS DIAL 911, more on this later).

Who do they dispatch? A BC SAR team closest to your location who understands the current terrain and conditions and has the equipment to conduct the rescue.

Consider: you pay this organization to rescue you.

You can't use the SOS button on your Inreach. You need to remember their phone number.

You call them but the call won't go through - dialing 911 uses any cell tower while a regular call only uses your own provider?

You finally get through and they're on the way. But it's going to take an hour and a half because they only have 2 bases.

You let them know the situation but it requires more than the 4-5 people who can fit in a single helicopter.

Well, now you need to call SAR.

In every situation SAR needs to be your first call. Tell them the situation and assist them in determining the resources required.

SAR groups in BC are not against using outside resources when required. We work with local fire, BCEHS, recreational clubs and other resources when we need them

We have doctors, ALS paramedics, nurses and advanced medical capabilities spread throughout the province.

The news likes to use the line "SAR teams are stretched to the limit" which is completely untrue. Our SAR system has huge capacity and BCSARA is investing money into SAR prevention which is handling things nicely.