Saskatoon Search and Rescue

Excellent (and important!!) information from Lions Bay SAR about the limitations of satellite messaging on your phone. It can be a valuable tool in an emergency, but it’s important to understand what it can (and can’t!) do.

Something to think about before you head out on your next adventure.

Come and see us at the Trucktastic Children’s Expo on August 29 at Prairieland Park! We’ll have our SAR truck and logistics trailer, giving kids and families a chance to learn more about what we do and how we help keep our community safe.

Stop by and check out our AdventureSmart and Project Lifesaver displays, chat with our volunteers, and get a closer look at some of the equipment we use during searches.

There’s lots to see and do at Trucktastic, and we’d love to see you there!

A major river runs through our city, and Saskatchewan is home to more than 100,000 lakes and rivers. Water is a big part of our landscape and that means it’s also a big part of search and rescue.

Our team regularly trains for near-water searches, building skills and confidence around moving water. This training covers swift-water terminology, understanding how water moves through different features of the river, use of safety equipment, properly throwing and retrieving a throw bag, and bringing a person to safety. The role of all searchers, not just the one closest to the water, ensures we are responding safely to a near-water search activation.

Training in realistic conditions turns knowledge into practical skills and helps our team better understand the potential challenges of a real near-water search.



Photos: Ange P., Roger D., Shannon S., Joe S.

A huge thank you to a generous donor for their donation of two Keutek 300W Portable Power Stations to Saskatoon Search and Rescue.

These portable power stations are an unexpected and valuable addition to our communications upgrade project, helping keep essential electronics powered during searches, training, and emergency deployments.

The donor’s generosity, and the extra effort taken to ensure these power stations reached our team, is greatly appreciated! 🧡

The long weekend is almost here, and the adventures are just getting started!

Whether your family is heading to the lake, the campground, or just exploring a local park, take a few minutes to help your kids be AdventureSmart.

Here are a few simple things every child should know:

· Always tell an adult where you’re going before you head out to play or explore.

· If you become lost, stay where you are. Don’t keep wandering. Hug A Tree!

· If you’re hurt, cold, or scared, hug a tree or another safe object where you can be seen.

· Make yourself big and loud when you hear your parents or searchers calling your name.

A little preparation can make a big difference. Take a few minutes before your next adventure to talk with family members about what to do if someone gets separated.

Thanks to our members who have been very busy this summer doing presentations! Your dedication helps to families have fun, safe and AdventureSmart adventures! 🍁🧡

Photos: Olha K.

SearchAndRescue

When people think about Search and Rescue, they often picture volunteers hiking through fields, river valleys, or pushing their way through dense bush. While that’s certainly part of the job, what people don’t often see is the coordination happening behind the scenes.

Every search depends on a steady flow of information. Where have teams searched? Has a new clue come in? Does the search area need to be expanded? Sharing that information quickly can make a significant difference.

During a couple of our recent searches in very rural areas, reliable cell service simply wasn’t available. That’s when the new Starlink system mounted on top of our SAR truck quietly proved its value. By providing satellite internet, it allowed the Search Manager and field teams to stay connected, sharing maps, GPS locations, assignments, and critical updates in real time, even miles from the nearest cell tower.

For our volunteers, it’s another tool that helps us work more efficiently and make informed decisions throughout a search.

Search and Rescue is about people, teamwork, training, and preparation. Sometimes it’s also about having the right technology in the right place at the right time.

Every improvement to our equipment helps us better serve the communities that count on us. Thank you to everyone who supports Saskatoon Search and Rescue and makes upgrades like this possible. 🧡

📷Joe S.

Christmas in July?

It sure felt like it this weekend when three of our members got to work unpacking the new radios and repeater generously donated by JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc. through the grant.

From making sure the new repeater fit its protective case to removing old equipment from our SAR truck, installing the new equipment, and sorting through what seemed like an endless collection of cables, the upgrade is officially underway.

One of our members summed it up perfectly:

"Of course, real men don't read instructions, but the repeater was new to us, so we decided a little info would help." 😄

This is just Phase 1 of the project. Next up, we'll be installing the new base station radios in our command post and putting the new repeater into service.

Reliable communications are critical during search and rescue operations. Every radio, every cable, and every upgrade helps ensure our team can stay connected when it matters most.

A huge thank you to Kenwood Communications for helping us strengthen our communications capabilities and to Prairie Mobile Wireless (Faithfull Avenue location) for programming the radios and repeater.

Stay tuned for Phase 2!

A couple weeks ago, members of Saskatoon Search and Rescue spent time with the team at Yardi Canada, one of our valued supporters over the past five years.

During the visit, Yardi staff took part in a mock search and evacuation exercise, stepping into the role of convergent volunteers. It gave the team a closer look at how our members prepare for real-world activations and what goes into responding when someone is missing.

Yardi Canada’s continued support has helped us purchase essential equipment, provide training and strengthen our ability to respond when our community needs us.

We’re grateful for supporters who believe in our mission and invest in a safer community. Thank you to the Yardi Canada team for your continued support!

🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day from Saskatoon Search and Rescue! 🇨🇦

We have so much to celebrate in this country, including beautiful landscapes that provide endless opportunities for adventure.

As you enjoy the outdoors this summer, whether you’re hiking, camping, paddling, exploring trails, or spending time in the backcountry, we encourage everyone to make safety part of the adventure. A little preparation can make all the difference: plan your trip, check the forecast, pack the essentials, tell someone where you’re going, and know your limits.

While SAR members dedicate countless hours to developing the skills, knowledge, and teamwork needed to respond when someone is lost, missing, or in need of assistance, we also work to help prevent emergencies before they happen by sharing the importance of planning, preparation, and outdoor safety.

Be and have a safe and happy Canada Day full of fun and adventure!

🇨🇦