Don't be alarmed if you see this happening

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT SEARCH AND RESCUE

***************************** Two joint exercises are planned for Sault Ste. Marie involving Sault Search and Rescue and personnel from 424 Squadron based in Trenton.

The first exercise is scheduled to occur between 14:30 and 16:00 hours on Thursday, April 8.

The rescue scenario involves a small overturned boat with two unresponsive persons in the water in the St. Mary's River east of Topsail Island.

The "victims" are represented by search mannequins and both are wearing life jackets when the boat overturned.

A Griffon helicopter from 424 Squadron Trenton is inbound Sault Ste. Marie en route to Thunder Bay and has been tasked to undertake the rescue.

Sartechs are aboard the helicopter and will be deployed into the water to rescue and provide first aid to the victims.

Sault Search and Rescue has also been tasked to provide on-water support for 424 Squadron and will be prepared to take the Sartechs and victims aboard their vessel as required and transport the victims for further medical attention.

The second exercise is scheduled to occur between 1400 and 1600 hours on Sunday, April 11.

The rescue scenario involves two persons on a power boat in the St. Mary's River east of Topsail Island which has had an onboard fire resulting in the boat owner and sole operator of the boat being severely burned with minor injuries to the passenger who is unable to operate the boat.

The boat simulating the rescue scenario will be a Sault Search and Rescue vessel.

A Griffon helicopter from 424 Squadron Trenton is inbound Sault Ste. Marie en route from Thunder Bay and has been tasked to undertake the rescue.

Sartechs are aboard the helicopter and will be deployed from the helicopter to provide first aid to the victims and provide recovery either through operation of the boat or by extraction back to the helicopter for transportation for further medical attention.

The "victims" will be Sault Search and Rescue members who will have burn make-up applied to increase realism of the situation.

The scenarios will be weather-dependent and may have to be adjusted based upon circumstances at the planned time.

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