Outdoor Education
Outdoor Safety Starts With the 3 T's
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OOSAR is proud to support AdventureSmart, Canada’s national outdoor safety education program. Most SAR incidents are preventable, and the best way to stay safe is to get informed before you go.
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The 3 T's of Outdoor Safety
​1.Trip Planning
Know where you’re going, check the conditions, and leave a trip plan with someone you trust.
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2. Training
Choose adventures that match your experience. Build skills in navigation, first aid, and survival basics.
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3. Taking the Essentials
Carry the gear you need to stay safe and be found — including light, fire starter, extra food/water, extra layers, navigation tools, first aid, emergency shelter, and sun protection.
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Why It Matters
Every year, Search & Rescue teams respond to calls that could have been avoided with better preparation. By following the 3 T's, you help keep yourself safe — and reduce risk for the volunteers who come to help.
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Plan Your Trip
Use the AdventureSmart Trip Plan tool. Create your trip plan and share it with someone you trust before you go.
Avalanche Safety
Winter in the South Okanagan brings incredible opportunities to explore the mountains — and with that comes the responsibility to travel safely in avalanche terrain. OOSAR supports Avalanche Canada, the national public avalanche safety organization, in helping backcountry users make informed decisions.
Know Before You Go
Check the daily avalanche forecast before every winter outing. Conditions change quickly, and forecasts provide danger ratings, avalanche problems, and travel advice to help you make informed decisions.
Watch for Special Public Avalanche Warnings (SPAWs) during periods of unstable snowpack or rapid weather changes.
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Build Your Skills
​Take an Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course to learn how to recognize avalanche terrain, use rescue gear, and travel safely in the backcountry.
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Carry the Right Gear
Everyone in your group should carry — and know how to use:
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Avalanche transceiver
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Probe
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Shovel
Add winter essentials like extra layers, emergency shelter, food, water, and navigation tools.
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Stay Updated
Before every trip:
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Check the forecast
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Review warnings
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Share your trip plan
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Travel with trained partners and proper gear
Prepared choices keep you safe — and reduce risk for SAR volunteers.
British Columbia Search and Rescue Association
“With much appreciation to FireOne Entertainment, we are proud to provide this promotional video that will allow you a small sampling of what services the 78 SAR groups and their 2500+ unpaid professionals provide to the citizens of BC and to those who choose to visit our province." - BCSARA