Canterbury search and rescue exercise highlights strength of avalanche response [video]

A search and rescue exercise involving LandSAR, Police, heliski operators and skifield personnel has successfully tested the strength of Police plans for a coordinated response to an avalanche incident.

'Exercise Swift 2012', took place in Canterbury near Mt Hutt last Friday (29th June). It involved around 50 people and simulated several victims who were either partly or fully buried in a back country avalanche.

Sergeant Ryan O'Rourke, Canterbury Police SAR Coordinator said the exercise went extremely well.

"Five 'victims' and a number of transceivers were located by searchers and dog teams in a timely manner, and safely taken off the mountain."

A Winter Response Group was formed in Canterbury two years ago to provide a coordinated response to avalanche rescue in the area. The group includes all skifields in the region, heliski operators, Mt Hutt Helicopters and Garden City Helicopters, LandSAR Methven, LandSAR Arthur's Pass and the LandSAR Alpine and Cliff Rescue team from Christchurch.

Friday's operation was the first opportunity to test the group's avalanche response plan. 

"Avalanches can strike almost anywhere and at any time during the winter, and in any avalanche rescue time is critical," said Sergeant O'Rourke. 

"A detailed response plan and good coordination between agencies could mean the difference between life and death for anyone caught up in an avalanche.

"The coordination plan proved its value, and a multi-agency debrief following the exercise identified a number of areas where further enhancements could be made," said Sergeant O'Rourke. 

Funding for the exercise was provided by the New Zealand SAR Secretariat http://searchandrescuecouncil.org.nz and New Zealand Police.