Originally shared on Facebook

In 2020, our Search and Rescue (SAR) unit had 457 total missions and 8 recoveries (fatalities), which was a 38% increase from 2019 when SAR had 331 total missions and 1 recovery (fatality). Just this past weekend, SAR had a dozen incident responses. As a reminder, please know your limits, check trail conditions online before you leave, have a plan and tell a trusted person when you are expected to return, and ALWAYS pack the 10 essentials, even for a day hike!

• Friday, May 28: SAR responded to Barlow Pass for an overdue hiker. His vehicle was located at the trailhead unoccupied and he was reported as possibly missing for six days. Due to it being dark, search teams arranged for the helo to launch at daylight.
• Saturday, May 29: The following morning, SnoHawk10 was launched to help locate the missing hiker. While searching for the missing hiker, SnoHawk10 diverted to Coal Lake for two teenagers who fell through ice and into the lake. The crew checked and assessed both subjects after they were able to self-rescue. SnoHawk10 returned to Barlow Pass to continue searching for the missing hiker. Eventually, the subject was located when he returned to his vehicle. He had hiked beyond what he had expected and did not have a hiking plan in place.
• Saturday, May 29: SAR responded to an injured hiker on the Lake Serene Trail; about 2 miles from the split at Bridal Veils Trail. Fire personnel reached the injured hiker using a back trail short cut, assessed the injured hiker and worked with SAR to pack out the patient.
• Saturday, May 29: SAR responded to Heather Lake for a hiker with a severely injured knee. Twenty SAR members responded 1.4 miles up the trail and worked together to successfully pack out the injured patient. – Saturday, May 29: SAR teams were dispatched back to Heather Lake for reports of overdue hikers. Before teams arrived on scene, the hikers arrived out of the trailhead; later than expected, but safe and well.
• Saturday, May 29: SAR responded to lost mountain bikers at Lord Hill Park and it was close to dark. While search planning, the mother and 7-year-old son made it down to the river and were picked up by a boat and brought close to the 522 overpass. A SAR deputy picked up the mother, son and their bikes and transported them safely back to their vehicle.
• Sunday, May 30: SnoHawk10 responded to Dragontail Peak to assist Chelan County with rescuing a critically injured male hiker at the 8,600 ft elevation level. The teams were able to hoist the subject out of the area, but sadly, the patient was deceased.
• Monday, May 31: While on boat patrol in Puget Sound, our Marine crew encountered a boat with a battery on fire. Deputies provided help, an extra fire extinguisher to keep on the boat after using their own, and followed the boat in-land to safety.
• Monday, May 31: Dive units responded to the 37000 block of Mann Rd for a report of a paddle vessel flipping and a man being swept down river. Units responded and located two subjects down river where they were able to self-rescue using a riverbed.
• Monday, May 31: SAR received a request to assist King Co SAR with a hiker on Bandera Mountain who was reported to be having chest pains, possibly a heart attack. The male patient was located by our Helicopter Rescue Team (HRT) and flown to Harborview via SnoHawk10. Upon arrival, the doctor at Harborview said getting the patient to the hospital that quickly definitely saved his life! Great work HRT!
• Monday, May 31: SAR responded to overdue mountaineers in the Glacier Peak area. They were reported as experienced, but lost all communication with the reporting party and they were expected to return early Monday morning. Concerned about possible avalanche danger, SAR responded to Darrington to start with initial search planning when they located the subjects safely returning.

A HUGE thank you to our Snohomish County Volunteer Search & Rescue members. These missions would not be possible without our trained and very knowledgeable SAR volunteers.