Outsider Adventures

27/05/2024

Hey, mid-island friends. Most of you know that outdoor safety is one of my passions, so please let your friends, family and activity contacts know about this excellent course running in June

The location is great, on the outskirts of Qualicum, and the course includes essential skills to help you plan to prevent, or respond to, first-aid incidents away from urban environments

If you're an outdoor enthusiast, or if you work away from where ambulances can roll up to your location, it makes a lot of sense to know how to deal with first-aid situations in a safe, calm, and effective way

Click the link, and contact the RDN for more information.... and, again, please share to encourage as many people as possible to sign up

24/06/2019

So.. whoever stole our sign from our front fence last night we would appreciate it if you brought it back. We are a small local business just trying to provide great service and great memories to Vancouver Island families. If anyone sees this post, spots our surf board sign and brings it back to us you will get $100 to spend in our store. Surfing is all about good vibes and you my friend, have some bad karma coming your way.

15/04/2019

I'm not being the armchair quarterback here, but looking at what can be taken away for future education.

I've seen so many incidents where bushwhacking out of wildland, and especially mountain, terrain has ended in tragedy.

Any time I see "miracle" applied to survival I reckon "near miss" would be a more useful term.

I can't help but think that trusting their trip plan, hunkering down while still close to the trail and putting energy into being as visible as possible might have got them found sooner, reduced risk, left them in better shape and still in possession of their jackets.

Teaching Hug a Tree and Survive isn't only relevant for kids.

Glad it was a happy outcome, but glamourising these actions ahead of reinforcing the importance of a trip plan and the ability to safely wait for rescue is likely to cause more fatalities and make life way more difficult for rescuers.

Crews took Eric Desplinter and Gabrielle Wallace to the Mt. Baldy Fire Station and they were reunited with their families.

12/04/2019

Speaking of meet our newest group of Members In Training!!
They have just completed their 7 week course teaching them the basics of our training and response. They will be able to study and practice their skills for the upcoming GSAR course in January 2020!
Congratulations MITs!!!!

08/03/2019

Show us your photos!

Spring is coming :)

Snow is clearing from trails... Flowers are starting to play peekaboo! It's a great time to be outdoors!

25/02/2019

Funding runs out at the end of March. Search and Rescue members are 100% volunteer and are obliged to buy much of their own equipment and devote many hours to training. On top of this, SAR groups already use volunteer time to fundraise, just to remain operational.
This doesn't only affect outdoor enthusiasts - Many calls are for emergencies like missing children and Alzheimer's sufferers, technical rescues beyond the scope of local fire departments and many other tasks where training, manpower and equipment provide the best chance of a happy outcome or much needed closure to families.
Please write a quick email to your MLA and urgently request a permanent, sustainable funding model for Search and Rescue in British Columbia.

Although search and rescue groups can be the difference between life and death for those who end up relying on them in the backcountry, they’re facing an uncertain future as the government didn’t announce any money for them in the latest provincial budget.

21/02/2019

Hiking season is just around the corner and now is the perfect time to book a Red Cross Wilderness First-Aid Class to help keep you and your hiking buddies safe! I love teaching these classes whenever I get the chance, so I hope you'll sign up and join in the fun!

You get a 10% discount when you book any first-aid class or order supplies by using the promo code "outsider"

www.alertfirstaid.com/courses/first-aid-courses/wilderness-and-remote-first-aid

07/02/2019

A good reminder not to rely on technology for navigation or emergency alerts... Always have a trip plan and an understanding of the activities you've planned.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/february/05/gps-adsb-may-be-unavailable-in-southeast-during-interference-tests?fbclid=IwAR03XwikqlznyryrQQ-mMRyKpISMmGLsvRS8YL-6YffTzBtWGzVpcn2Svws

GPS air navigation may be unreliable or unavailable in a vast swath of airspace in the eastern U.S. and the Caribbean during a military exercise involving GPS jamming between Feb. 6 and 10.

01/02/2019

Are you ready for some winter weather finally arriving on Vancouver Island? Make sure you're prepared for delays and leave time to travel safely if you have to make journeys......

:)

24/01/2019

There's a phrase we use in hypothermia treatment that people are never dead until they're warm and dead. If you're interested in booking a wilderness first aid class that covers environment related trauma and other common outdoor emergencies, message us through [email protected] for more information and discount pricing :)

Miracles do happen!

09/01/2019

This is a great part of the world to enjoy the outdoors, but that also means accidents and poor preparation can lead to things going wrong. Many calls are a result of people involved in simple activities not recognising the consequences of their day not going to plan. Even if you "only mean to be away from the car for an hour or so", always leave a trip plan and have what you need to deal with emergencies, hunker down and wait for help to arrive. For activities on or around water, be aware of how the simplest things going wrong or conditions changing can immediately turn fatal. Always wear a PFD if there's a risk of being in the water. 20% of drowning deaths are people who didn't intend to get wet. Enjoy this beautiful part of the world, but keep yourself and your loved ones safe!

Campbell River Search and Rescue responded to nine fatalities in 2018 – and demand is increasing

08/01/2019

Do you care for, or do you know, someone who might wander as a result of cognitive impairment? Used successfully throughout North America, Project Lifesaver is available across the Nanaimo and Parksville/Qualicum Beach area, and can make the difference between lengthy searches, which are sadly not always successful, and the speedy return of loved ones. Here is the most recent example from our local Search and Rescue group...

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue was called out for a search in Parksville on January 7 for a missing man with dementia.
He had left home an hour earlier but fortunately was part of the Project Lifesaver program that Arrowsmith SAR and Nanaimo Lifeline are part of. He wears a wrist watched size VHF transmitter that is set on a unique frequency so teams equipped with direction finding receivers were immediately dispatched to do an electronic search of the area. The signal was quickly picked up and within 12 minutes of the search starting he was located in good shape and taken home.
This is now older technology but is very reliable and doesn’t rely on cell service or a view of the sky that GPS systems need.

If you are interested in the program contact Nanaimo Lifeline at 250-739-5770 or http://www.nanaimolifeline.ca/project-lifesaver.html

Saving Lives...One Bracelet at a Time!Project Lifesaver may be the answer to wandering concerns for individuals with alzheimer's disease, dementia, autism, down syndrome, developmental disorders and brain injury.How it WorksProject Lifesaver places personalized radio transmitters on identified perso...

27/12/2018

Search and Rescue teams train hard to help people in difficulty. We can all help minimise callouts by being prepared on even short, easy outdoor activities. Always make sure someone knows where you're going and what time you're due back. If you get into difficulty, have what you need to be able to stay put and wait for help to arrive. Make sure that you have at least a basic first aid kit and some training to be able to use it. We hope you enjoy your outdoors activities, and look forward to sharing some of ours in the coming year :)

24/12/2018

This is Melrose Road at Whiskey Creek, and several other roads are in a similar condition.... If you're out anywhere affected by the windstorm, be very aware of downed power lines and trees hung up on wires or other trees. Although the wind has dropped, there are still plenty of hazards. Thanks to Pam McCabe for the photo

21/12/2018

A prepared community is a safer community! This storm is a good reminder that emergency preparedness kits aren't just for earthquakes... Unlike a lot of well known products out there, Red Cross disaster kits contain reliable products, and you won't be paying for cheap filler material that will just weigh your pack down. Through our connection as a Red Cross trainer we've negotiated a 10% discount when you quote the promo code "outsider" on your order of first aid and emergency preparedness supplies from Alert First Aid... let your friends know too!

www.alertfirstaid.com to order

Alert First-Aid has been offering first-aid and CPR training courses to Vancouver Island and Vancouver for over twelve years. Our first aid courses are fun and interactive. We offer a wide variety of first-aid kits and first-aid supplies

30/11/2018

We're always asking people to be prepared on the trails, but the big Alaska earthquake that just hit is a reminder to have emergency supplies in your vehicle and at home. Outsider recommends Canadian Red Cross Emergency Preparedness supplies and we have negotiated a 10% discount when you quote promo code "outsider" (all lower case) on your order. Unlike many other kits out there, they are great value but actually have quality contents, designed with the Red Cross, to keep you and your family safer in an emergency. These kits are great gifts for Christmas, but safety starts with your own preparation. Please share and let your friends know about this offer too!

www.alertfirstaid.com/disasterkits.php

We offer a full selection of first-aid and disaster prepredness kits. We are based in Victoria, BC and Nanaimo, plus we ship anywhere in Canada!

22/11/2018

Wilderness First-Aid Opportunity! There are spaces available for this weekend's Wilderness and Remote First Aid course being held in Nanaimo. The course runs from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. Save 10% by quoting the promo code "outsider" (all lower case) when you book. Regular price is $265. Michael from Outsider Adventures will be the instructor. All other information or booking options by clicking the Alert First-Aid link below!

www.alertfirstaid.com/courses/first-aid-courses/wilderness-and-remote-first-aid

The Red Cross Wilderness First-Aid course is a great course for anyone who is more the 15 minutes from medical aid. Register online now and save on first-aid kits.

15/10/2018

Over the years, Outsider has made a big commitment to keeping people safe. With "The Great Shakeout" earthquake drill just around the corner, we've been working with Alert First-Aid to create what we call the "Confinement Kit". A lifesaver any time you get trapped in a building or need to self rescue without the clothing you need to protect yourself from the elements, it's perfect to keep next to your bed or under your desk at work.

Cover the priorities of light, first-aid, breathing, hand protection, shelter and signalling for help, all for just $15 plus postage and packing.

Add the promo code "outsider" for a 10% discount on any Alert First-Aid product or training course.

Follow the link for more details!

www.alertfirstaid.com/medical-products/disaster-kits/emergency-preparedness-confinement-kit #

Alert First-Aid has been offering first-aid and CPR training courses to Vancouver Island and Vancouver for over twelve years. Our first aid courses are fun and interactive. We offer a wide variety of first-aid kits and first-aid supplies

13/07/2018

Save money on safety! Outsider Adventures has always been committed to safety, both in the outdoors and as part of emergency preparedness. We are happy to announce that we are working with Alert First-Aid to bring Red Cross first aid training and supplies for both first aid and emergency preparedness to our customers, with discounted prices for our customers. Check www.alertfirstaid.com for courses in First Aid, FoodSafe and Industrial Safety. Mention promotion code "Outsider" when you book or order. For more information, email [email protected] or contact Outsider Adventures through our page.

11/07/2018

What a close call! Enjoy your water activities safely this Summer. Please remember that lightweight inflatable rafts, mattresses and tubes are pool toys, with almost no resistance to punctures and splits. Always wear a proper pfd or life jacket when you use them on open water, and learn how to safely get to shore should you fall off or lose your floaty. Foot entrapment and strainers across the river or on the shore are often fatal, so make sure you and your group learn about defensive swimming and how to ferry float, as well as having an exit plan for each section the river. A little preparation can go a long way towards avoiding unnecessary tragedies.

The group ran into trouble when their rafts, which were tied together, hit a bridge abutment in the Campbell River.

27/05/2018

Gotta love this part of the world! Glad that the bear made it safely back onto the trails

01/05/2018

Gross, but easily dealt with if done right. The only safe way to remove a tick is to pull it out by the head. Suffocation, essential oils, burning or twisting are more likely to cause the tick distress, and it will vomit whatever it's eaten, plus whatever pathogens it's carrying, into your bloodstream. My favourite method is dental floss and straw, which gets the tick right where it burrows into the skin. I took this little hitchhiker off a friend this morning, and you can see how the floss grabs the head really effectively. It's on its way to the hospital to get tested for Lyme Disease. Outsider Adventures is now partnered with Alert First-Aid and can arrange outdoor safety classes with a first aid component for day hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

18/04/2018

Ticks seem to be a lot more common this year, and along with them, the risk of Lyme Disease. If you find one on yourself, your hiking partner or your pet, do not, under any circumstances, suffocate, burn or use essential oils to remove the tick. I carry dental floss and a section of drinking straw in my first aid kit. The second technique shown in this video is a safe, reliable way to grab even small ticks by the head and remove them. It's better to pull in the direction that the tick entered the skin, rather than out the way as demonstrated though. For larger ticks, fine point tweezers, used to grab the tick right down at the head, are a simple tool for safe removal.

Method of removing wood ticks, developed by Dr. Murakami, involves a subdermal injection at the bite site of a solution of Xylocaine and adrenalin. Successfu...

31/01/2018

Having the right gear with you is important, but knowing how to use it, and avoid problems in the first place, is what really makes the difference. Outsider's Wilderness Skills classes are a great way to get out on the trails with other hikers and will help you pack lighter, plan outdoor activities with confidence and deal with the kinds of common problems that can quickly become real emergencies.

We have 3 places available at our Qualicum Beach class this Saturday. Price is $85 for adults, $65 for youth participants (12 to 19)

Includes trip planning, wildlife conflict, basic navigation, firestarting, shelter building and much more

For more information or to register, send us a facebook message or e-mail us directly through [email protected]

14/01/2018

A little video from a lightweight hammock camp I did a few weeks ago. If you're a day hiker, mountain biker or just enjoy spending time on the trails, look out for new dates for our popular Wilderness Skills Classes. Email mail@outsideradventures or send us a facebook message for more information

11/01/2018

11/01/2018