Busy peak season for LandSAR
 Back to Articles
|
0 Comments |  |
| Thursday, 14th June 2012 | Written by Josh Gale |
From January to March this year New Zealand Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) conducted 127 search and rescue operations, compared to 76 in the same period the previous year – a 67 per cent increase.
Despite the increase, LandSAR CEO Harry Maher is not concerned: “People getting lost drives demand, and there is no particular pattern,” he said.
Based on quarterly statistics released to Wilderness, 993 volunteers were used to assist 214 people at risk, 89 more people than the previous year.
According to the statistics, volunteers were involved in saving 18 lives in the January 1 to March 31 period, compared to only four in the same period the previous year. This year 13 people perished, compared to 11 last year and there was one no trace found case in both 2012 and 2011.
There were also 40 more people rescued in this year’s peak season compared to 2011.
LandSAR’s Wanaka, Wellington, Wakatipu and Ruapehu groups accounted for more than 30 per cent of all search and rescue operations in the period.
Despite the increases, however, the number of volunteer search and rescue operation hours decreased from 10,682 to 5,582.
The large number of operating hours in 2011, was due to the February 22 earthquake in Canterbury in which slightly less than 50 per cent of LandSAR’s groups were involved.
Maher said the statistical variations quarter to quarter are a result of periodic spikes and dips in activity.
“They aren’t actually indicative of particular trends or other factors,” Maher said. “From what I can tell, reasonably large variations in activity are actually the norm.
Despite the increase, LandSAR CEO Harry Maher is not concerned: “People getting lost drives demand, and there is no particular pattern,” he said.
Based on quarterly statistics released to Wilderness, 993 volunteers were used to assist 214 people at risk, 89 more people than the previous year.
According to the statistics, volunteers were involved in saving 18 lives in the January 1 to March 31 period, compared to only four in the same period the previous year. This year 13 people perished, compared to 11 last year and there was one no trace found case in both 2012 and 2011.
There were also 40 more people rescued in this year’s peak season compared to 2011.
LandSAR’s Wanaka, Wellington, Wakatipu and Ruapehu groups accounted for more than 30 per cent of all search and rescue operations in the period.
Despite the increases, however, the number of volunteer search and rescue operation hours decreased from 10,682 to 5,582.
The large number of operating hours in 2011, was due to the February 22 earthquake in Canterbury in which slightly less than 50 per cent of LandSAR’s groups were involved.
Maher said the statistical variations quarter to quarter are a result of periodic spikes and dips in activity.
“They aren’t actually indicative of particular trends or other factors,” Maher said. “From what I can tell, reasonably large variations in activity are actually the norm.
Stay Informed
Sign up to the weekly Wilderness e-newsletter to receive ideas on weekend escapes, the latest
gear and special offers.
gear and special offers.
Latest Articles
Aspiring film editors can win US$500 in the New Zealand Mountain Film Festival... Keep Reading
