03/26/2020
Dear Nature Lover,
We at Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue are asking you to please stay home during this COVID-19 global emergency. You love being outdoors, and right now the cabin fever is driving many people into the backcountry. We get it. We feel the same way, and we are asking you to stay home. We are asking you to stay off the hiking trails and out of the backcountry because:
Rescuer Safety - Rescues require us to work within inches of each other for potentially hours. Some of us may have the coronavirus and show no symptoms causing us to risk our fellow rescuers. Additionally, every time we respond to a mission, we risk physical injury.
Ability to Reach the Trail - Our SAR deputies have been out checking the trails, and there are too many people out there. We are potentially unable to get our rescue trucks anywhere near the trailheads.
Hospital Overload - Hospitals are already overwhelmed, and they do not have enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to keep healthcare workers safe.
Limited Blood Supply - The blood supply in the Puget Sound region is dangerously low, and backcountry injuries can be severe enough to need surgery. Please don’t risk it.
Your Safety - if you are injured, requiring hospital care, you will likely be exposed to coronavirus while at the hospital.
During this novel coronavirus pandemic, please be our heroes by staying home. Also, please like and share this post to help us get the message out to as many people as possible.
Thank you and we’ll see you on the trails and mountains when this over.
Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue
"That others may live"