Marking 40 years of service to the community
As December 2024 closes, we are reminded of our roots.
The fatal February 11, 1983 debris torrent on Alberta creek was the impetus to formalize the creation of Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR), when coupled with the number of hikers and hang gliders requesting assistance from a few mountaineering-type neighbours who lived in the area of Mountain and Sunset Drive.
As a result, 40 years ago LBSAR was formally recognized.
This is therefore a tremendously sad 40th anniversary for all our members. On December 14, another debris flow –this time on Battani Creek– claimed the lives of dear friends, neighbours, and longtime village residents Barbara and David Enns.
LBSAR quickly joined the efforts of other Village emergency service partners to assist in the tragic incident.
Prior to December 14, the LBSAR crew was having a below-normal year with 28 callouts for assistance. Still, our 36 active members had been a part of 106 different SAR-related activities throughout the year. This added up to almost 5,000 total volunteer hours.
The majority of our calls required medical intervention for injuries that included bruises, heat and cold stress, four lower extremity fractures and two cases of severe spinal and head trauma.
Given the nature of injuries and often the location of the injured subject, LBSAR relies heavily on the use of the helicopters. While these are often a noisy intrusion to a weekend barbecue, we can assure the residents that members of the public are receiving timely and high level care (including, on the odd occasion, even our own Village residents).
Two LBSAR members are trained with the North Shore long-line system, and 2024 was the first year in which two technicians on the line were actually Lions Bay members.
On a different occasion, the Talon-Dauphine winch system was used for a significantly injured senior hiker on the Lions route, in order to ensure timely hospital care.
We remind folks to be properly equipped before venturing into the back country, and remember to file a trip plan with a responsible individual before heading off.
Wishing all a healthy and safe 2025.
Editor's note: For those who appreciate the work done by LBSAR, donations for this organization can be made HERE.
A huge thank you to all these people who put in so much time, skill and effort for the benefit of the general public many of whom go unprepared into the mountains. A special shout out to the two Lions Bay members, and especially Ed Langford who has been involved since he was 16-years-old, more than forty years ago. Then let's think of the families of these wonderful citizens whose lives are disrupted so often at the weekends.