Last night sixteen volunteers from Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue (SCVSAR) Units, along with one King Co. SAR volunteer who was hiking in the area, assisted four Gold Bar firefighters in carrying an injured hiker down from near Lake Serene.

The hiker was on the trail just below the lake and couldn’t walk on their own. The volunteers and firefighters carried up medical supplies, a litter, and a wheel to help bring the injured person back down the trail. This is a very rugged trail with many stairs, and even with a wheel, it is a lot of work lifting over every rock, root, and step.

SCVSAR encourages all hikers to leave a good trip plan at home with someone reliable, who can report to 911 if you are overdue. We also encourage everyone to carry the “Ten Essentials”, so that if you are injured or lost, you can take care of yourself and stay safe and comfortable until help arrives.

SCVSAR responds to many leg injuries that leave a person unable to walk and stranded several miles from the road, often without cell phone service. In our region, the weather changes quickly, and it can get cold and wet fast, not to mention very dark. Once notified, it typically takes a few hours before help arrives. SAR volunteers have to come from home, work, school, etc. and have to then drive to the trail and hike in with a lot of equipment. So, please be prepared and leave that plan.

SCVSAR is always looking for new volunteers. If you are interested in joining the team, check out https://scvsar.org/volunteer/ for details. SCVSAR is a non-profit 501(c)(3), serving all of Snohomish County and its 830,000+ residents. Every member of SCVSAR is an unpaid volunteer.

If you are interested in donating, check out http://scvsar.org/donate/ for details.

“THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE”