Highflying rescuers stage exercise on Okanagan Lake

PENTICTON – Penticton Search and Rescue teamed up with RCAF 442 Squadron for a joint exercise above Okanagan Lake Saturday morning.

Two local Search and Rescue swift water technicians were dropped into the lake off Three Mile Point from a hovering helicopter in a simulation of an overturned boat with survivors.

“The RCAF Cormorant approached and assessed the rescue scene, then dropped two SAR Techs into the water to evaluate the survivors, provide aid and evacuation,” Penticton Search and Rescue spokesperson Rob Brown says in a media release.

Brown says the two Penticton techs that took part in the exercise are part of a national team of 140 highly trained specialists who are dropped into hard to reach places to provide medical care and rescue victims.

“We have worked with 442 Squadron in the past and appreciated the opportunity to work again in the practice scenario,” Brown says. The Squadron is based out of CFB Comox.

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