AdventureSmart is a national program that is dedicated to encouraging Canadians and its visitors to get informed and go outdoors. It combines online and on-site awareness with targeted outreach to reduce the number and severity of SAR incidents. SAR volunteers (including some of our own!) can be trained to deliver AdventureSmart programs.
The AdventureSmart.ca website provides sport specific tips for activities on land, water, and snow, and outlines the considerations for kids. Programs that can be presented to an audience are also found on the site. You can read about each program, watch videos and read stories about those who have become lost or injured. The most popular programs for our area are:
- Hug a Tree: This presentation is aimed at children in Grades K-5. It teaches children how not to become lost in the woods, and what to do if they should become lost.
- Survive Outside: This presentation is aimed at people aged 12-99. It focuses on Trip Planning, Training and Taking the Essentials. It includes information on how to alert the Search and Rescue system and focuses on survivability pending rescue.
- Snow Safety: This presentation is aimed at children in Grades 4-6, teaching ski hill safety and signage, and backcountry information including “Out of Bounds” hazards.
- There is also the Paddle Smart and Survive Outside Snowmobiling Program.
To request a presentation, please email us at info@chilliwacksar.org. We will do our best to accommodate requests from the community given the busy schedules of our volunteers and the large number of requests we receive!
From and AdventureSmart perspective, we encourage you to consider the following three steps when planning an outdoor adventure:
- Trip Planning (write a trip plan before you go and leave it with a friend or family. We have a trip planning tool available on our website!)
- Training (obtain the skills and knowledge you need before heading out)
- Taking the Essentials (carry the essentials and know how to use them)
More detailed information is available at AdventureSmart.ca and it is a great starting point for getting informed. Look to organizations and clubs in your community to further enhance your knowledge and skills too!
Education, planning and having the right gear for your activity will go a long way to preventing you from becoming lost or injured.
Stay Safe!
Special thanks to CSAR Member and AdventureSmart presenter Tim for providing this overview!