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The Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association led a day of winter survival training Saturday for members of The Civil Air Search and Rescue Association. The training started with a classroom session at CASARA’s office at the at Brandon Municipal Airport before moving to an afternoon field exercise at CFB Cornwallis Camp. The training focused on the “Three T’s” of outdoor safety: Trip planning, Training, and Taking the essentials, explained instructor Brian Wiltshire during the classroom session. “Let people know where and when you’re going,” he said. “It makes it a lot easier for us to start a search if something goes wrong.” Wiltshire, a retired military member who now serves as a searcher and team leader, emphasized the importance of preparation for any outdoor, whether canoeing, mountain biking, or hiking. Participants should seek training specific to their activities and carry essential survival gear to sustain themselves until help arrives, he added. Saturday’s session was tailored for CASARA volunteers—the air search component that assists the Royal Canadian Air Force by providing pilots, navigators, and observers in searches for missing aircraft. Brandon Regional Search and Rescue members, often seen in orange gear, serve as the ground search unit. “We’re mutual assistants to each other,” Wiltshire said. “If someone’s missing, we could be assisting them, or they could be assisting us. Education keeps everyone up to date and better prepared.” In the afternoon, the group headed to CFB Cornwallis Camp for a practical winter survival exercise, simulating an emergency scenario, building shelters, starting fires, and boiling water in frigid conditions.

Preparedness was the key takeaway, noted zonal commander Daryl Neustater, who oversees CASARA’s southwest Manitoba zone. “Having what you need, knowing what you’re getting into, and what you might need to deal with—that’s the big thing,” Neustater said. “While many members have outdoor experience, others do not, making refresher training valuable for everyone.”

Volunteer Di Ingram, a 10-year CASARA member, said the training was practical and empowering. “We can’t go searching for people if we can’t look after ourselves,” she said. “There are lots of little tips from the military guys, lots of equipment we could add to our own survival bags.” Ingram, who says she loves Manitoba winters, said, “There’s no bad weather — just bad clothing. If you’re dressed for the weather, you
can enjoy it.”

For Brandon Regional Search and Rescue ground search specialist Brian Fowell, the field exercise reinforced lessons that can only truly be learned outdoors. “There’s no sense doing this in the summertime that’s just camping,” Fowell said. “Winter changes everything.” Fowell, who has been involved in organized search and rescue in the region for more than five decades, said the goal was simple: build a shelter, start a fire and boil water —all while conserving energy. “You can burn wood all night and stay warm, but you’ll be exhausted,” he explained. “Sometimes you just need coals and a proper shelter
to keep the wind off.” He said Manitobans should prepare their vehicles at all times, and carry emergency supplies such as food, water, extra clothing and medications, and to stay with their vehicle if stranded. “People think their cellphone is going to save them,” Fowell said. “It helps, but sometimes people
can’t get to you right away.” Brandon Regional Search and Rescue, which operates with 30 to 38 highly trained volunteers, responds to roughly 10 physical searches a year and trains once or twice monthly on GPS navigation, search techniques, first aid and rope rescue. The group also delivers 30 to 40 school presentations annually through programs like Hug-a-Tree and Survive Outside. Saturday’s joint training drew
about 20 participants and was deemed a success, and the collaboration strengthens co-ordination between air and ground teams, he said. “It’s about working together and learning from each other,” Fowell said. “When there’s a real emergency, that teamwork makes all the difference.”

reposted from the Brandon Sun » aodutola@brandonsun.com » X: @AbiolaOdutola