Metchosin Search and Rescue

Metchosin Search and Rescue Volunteer Search and Rescue Team serving Metchosin, the Westshore, Esquimalt, Victoria, and Oak Bay. Metchosin Search and Rescue (SAR) was founded in 1989.

Our SAR group consists entirely of volunteers and receives nearly all of its support from the District of Metchosin, the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association and the Province. We provide SAR services in Metchosin, Langford, Colwood, Highlands, View Royal, Esquimalt, Victoria and Oak Bay and as a mutual aid resource in other areas of the CRD, island, and province. These include:
- Search

es for missing people, whether in wilderness or urban settings
- Evidence searches
- Assistance during evacuations or other emergencies.
- Our members come from across the region, from Sooke to Gordon Head, and are experienced in both urban and wilderness searches. Our members are trained in:
- Search theory and technique
- First aid
- Wilderness navigation and survival
- Radio communications
- Evacuation and emergency support

We are certified as searchers, team leaders, and managers by the Justice Institute of BC, according to provincial standards cooperatively developed by Emergency Management BC and the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association. We are available to respond to call-outs 24 hours a day, year-round, and receive an average of approximately 20 callouts per year.

05/27/2026

Renowned for its mud, rain and never-ending views, the Juan De Fuca Marine Trail is one of the most popular and beautiful hikes on the west coast of Vancouve...

Our members were stationed at CRD’s Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park this morning, connecting with members of the pu...
05/24/2026

Our members were stationed at CRD’s Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park this morning, connecting with members of the public and sharing information about trip preparedness, outdoor safety, and SAR prevention.

For more resources on trip planning, training, and taking the essentials, check out BC AdventureSmart and learn how to get informed and go outdoors safely.

We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events:
⭐️ June 6 – Gowlland Tod (Caleb Pike)
⭐️ June 13 – Mount Wells
⭐️ June 20 – Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park
⭐️ June 28 – Gowlland Tod (Caleb Pike)

Stop by, say hello, and chat with our volunteers!

🐾 We have another new Member In Training! 🐾Congratulations to Ollie and his handler, Agnes, for successfully completing ...
05/20/2026

🐾 We have another new Member In Training! 🐾

Congratulations to Ollie and his handler, Agnes, for successfully completing the K9 puppy assessment with British Columbia Search Dog Association.

Agnes and Ollie have already put in countless hours of training, as well as dedication and patience.

We’re excited to follow Ollie’s journey as he works toward becoming a Validated Search Dog and we look forward to seeing all the ways he’ll contribute to the team in the years ahead.

Welcome to the team, Ollie!

We’re incredibly grateful to have received a $1,000 donation from ticket proceeds at the Victoria Outdoor Adventure Show...
05/08/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to have received a $1,000 donation from ticket proceeds at the Victoria Outdoor Adventure Show this year.

Support like this goes a long way in helping our team stay prepared and ready for callouts. These contributions directly support operational initiatives such as:
-Upgrading safety gear
-Improving backcountry communications
-Purchasing first aid supplies to improve patient transport

Thank you to the organizers and everyone who attended the show!

We are so excited to announce that we are able to provide 3 donations of $1,000 each to three very important groups.

Victoria Fish And Game Protective Association
Metchosin Search and Rescue
Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue

We hope this helps in advancing their important initiatives! Thank you to all who attended and made this possible!

Today, as part of B.C.’s Emergency Preparedness Week, MSAR had the honour of joining several local organizations and age...
05/07/2026

Today, as part of B.C.’s Emergency Preparedness Week, MSAR had the honour of joining several local organizations and agencies that help support our communities in times of need. Together, we showcased our skills and capabilities to provincial and municipal stakeholders at the BC Legislature.

It was a beautiful day as members of the public, Mayors, Councillors, and MLAs had the opportunity to learn more about our Bike, Canine, Tracking, AdventureSmart, and Ground Search teams.

Our search dog, Venna, was also invited to the event and was very happy to be part of the welcoming committee 🐾

Many thanks to the organizers for supporting and accommodating us and our fellow emergency responders.

Come on down to the Emergency Preparedness Fair at Westshore Parks and Rec. We’re here until 3pm today!
05/03/2026

Come on down to the Emergency Preparedness Fair at Westshore Parks and Rec. We’re here until 3pm today!

05/01/2026

Did you know we offer free outdoor safety presentations through BC AdventureSmart?

We’re passionate about sharing the knowledge that helps people stay safe before an emergency ever happens.

For younger audiences (ages 5–11), the Hug a Tree and Survive program teaches kids how not to become lost and what to do if they do.

For youth groups, schools, and adults, the Survive Outside presentation focuses on building safe outdoor habits. We cover:
✅Trip planning
✅The importance of training for the intended activity
✅The essential gear everyone should carry
✅An overview of Search and Rescue in Canada

Whether you’re part of a school, scouting group, daycare, or outdoor club, we’d love to connect and bring one of these presentations to your group.

Learn more about available programs here: https://www.adventuresmart.ca/programs/

Request a presentation here: https://presenter.adventuresmart.ca/request

You can also send us a message directly with any questions!

Please share with anyone who might be interested. Help us spread the word and keep our communities safe outdoors 🌲

Recently, our K9 team Venna and handler Sandra attended their first advanced-level K9 camp in the Comox Valley. They pra...
04/28/2026

Recently, our K9 team Venna and handler Sandra attended their first advanced-level K9 camp in the Comox Valley. They practiced searching in industrial and residential areas, working in close proximity to another SAR K9, and completing wilderness searches with added challenges. They even got transported to one search area by Sea-Doo, and returned by ATV!

A big thank you to BC Search Dog Association for organizing the course, Comox Valley Search and Rescue for transport and the use of their SAR hall, and the wonderful instructors from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

04/26/2026

Our training with focused on building confidence operating in a marine environment—from working around vessels to adapting our land-based SAR skills to shoreline and water-based scenarios. It was a great chance for our members to step outside the usual environment and challenge themselves in new ways.

These kinds of trainings with other organizations are invaluable for expanding our capabilities and learning from partner agencies. We’re grateful for the time, knowledge, and support shared by the RCMSAR crews.

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Victoria, BC

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