Receiving a seasonal spike in emergency calls last December, Revelstoke's emergency rescue network is encouraging adventurers to maintain external communication during expeditions and not hesitate to request help, even when skeptical of needing it.

Volunteer-run Revelstoke Search and Rescue (REVSAR) responded to 13 calls last month, says Andy Ness, medical co-ordinator and board of directors secretary, who's come to expect this recurring rise around winter and the holidays as a matter of probability.

"We had a similar thing last year, and the year before," he said. "There's a lot more people with a lot more free time."

Hotspots where emergency calls are likelier to buzz from include the side of Mount Mackenzie, Boulder Mountain, Frisby Ridge and Eagle Pass. Anecdotally, Ness said that even when adventuring with a group, a single person may get lost or lead their pack astray.

When a caller in need contacts an "activating agency," which is normally the RCMP, responders take the caller's co-ordinates, assess the circumstances and contact REVSAR. Any volunteers available to respond meet promptly at the RCMP building on Third Street to choose leaders and delegate responsibilities and gear.

"If it's a call up on Boulder Mountain, we're going to be using predominantly snowmobiles," Ness said. "If it's a medical call, we'll be looking for medics. Just going through the roster - ski touring, helicopter operations, long-lining."

The big piece of advice Ness likes to pass along is "communication is key." Having either a satellite phone or an iPhone 14 or newer is essential for sending an SOS and giving co-ordinates, REVSAR said on Facebook.

"Be able to send us some sort of sign of distress if you need to, whether that's through an inReach system, a SPOT system or being familiar with the satellite messaging system on iPhones," Ness said, noting the latter is a "relatively new feature."

Ness said it can be as simple as establishing a contact deadline with a friend or relative at home, or leaving a note on your vehicle for the parking lot agent.

"If you even think you have a hint of needing assistance from search and rescue, the earlier you activate us, the earlier the outcome's going to be," he added. "We like to solve problems with helicopters, and helicopters can only fly during daylight. If you're in a situation where it's even like a 20 per cent chance of needing our assistance, just get on the phone."

REVSAR has some 100 volunteers, about 20 to 30 of whom respond to most calls. It's one of B.C.'s largest search-and-rescue groups, according to Ness, but even the most casual volunteers are highly valued when they can, and do, step up.

"We're very beneficial in Revelstoke to draw from a population that has so many skills and such experience," he said. "We find it really valuable to have these members on standby who maybe can't commit as much time but, when they do show up, they show up in a big way."

For emergency assistance in the outdoors, adventurers can call 911 and ask the dispatcher for search-and-rescue support.

To learn more about REVSAR, visit .