Coast Guard performs search and rescue training in Parry Sound

The Canadian Coast Guard held one of its final major search and rescue training days in Parry Sound as crews prepare for their summer deployments.

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) held one of its final major search and rescue (SAR) training days in Parry Sound on Tuesday as crews prepare for their summer deployments.

With weeks of their annual spring emergency preparedness training under their belts, Tuesday was one of the last big tests for CCG SAR crews who will be deployed to the Arctic.

“This is a sort of a culminating exercise that brings together both their ability to navigate, their ability to operate, as well as some medical scenarios,” explained Robert Wilkins, CCG Senior SAR Programs Officer.

A total of 49 personnel from the CCG, Canadian Air Force, Parry Sound District Paramedics and Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton teamed up for the day, practicing their coordinated responses to simulated emergencies.

In the water, they practiced situations that included navigating to other vessels for medical emergencies or supply sharing, searching for stranded victims and onshore landings for island emergencies.

“All of the experience that they’re having is essentially live and in situ as it would be in the case of a real search,” added Wilkins.

In the sky, the Griffon and Bell GlobalRanger helicopters were on full display.

SAR crews onboard the aircraft coordinate with SAR crews on land and water, practicing patient triage by air.

“It’s important for us to get the practice in, get the reps in, really understand the severity of certain situations, and get working as crews,” emphasized Galen Beerbaum, CCG SAR Specialist for the Arctic Marine Response Station.

On the ground, local paramedics were standing for simulated patients brought to them by Coast Guard vessels.

“We’re a water-based township,” said Adam Sheridan, Parry Sound District paramedic. “A lot of incidents happen out on the water. The more familiar we are with each other and our operations, the better we can deliver our patient care.”

With gusting winds and two-degree water temperatures, the CCG says spring conditions in the Parry Sound are similar to summer conditions in the Arctic.

“The opportunity to come and train in Ontario in the spring is very valuable for the crews,” concluded Wilkins.

The SAR crews that took part in Tuesday’s exerciser will be deployed to Nunavut in late June, where they will be stationed at the Rankin Inlet SAR Station until late fall.