Search and Rescue medevacs asthma patient

DND file photo

8 WING/CFB TRENTON – A search and rescue (SAR) team from 424 (Transport
and Rescue) Squadron saved the life of a 20-year-old female at a remote camp site in Algonquin Park on Sept. 1.

A CH-146 Griffon SAR helicopter was launched from 8 Wing Trenton at
approximately 11p.m. to medevac the female who was unconscious due
to a severe asthma attack while camping. Due to the campsite’s remote location, a fellow camper ran eight
kilometres to call for help.

When the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton received the call, the SAR team  on standby during the long weekend immediately responded. Two  technicians were hoisted to stabilize the patient and transported her to the nearest civilian hospital in Huntsville.

424 Squadron is based in 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, and together with 435 Squadron out of 17 Wing Winnipeg, they are responsible for 10,000,000 square kilometres of the Trenton Search and Rescue Region comprising
most of the Province of Quebec, all of Ontario, the Prairie Provinces and the entire Arctic.

Search and rescue (SAR) incidents under the federal SAR mandate are defined as “all aircraft incidents and all marine incidents in waters under federal jurisdiction.”  With the exception of federally owned
National Parks, the overall responsibility for ground search and rescue rests with the provinces, territories and municipalities.  The Canadian Armed Forces may, however, provide assistance to land and inland water
rescues when possible.