Snohomish County Volunteer Search & Rescue

⚽ Welcome to Snohomish County! 🌲

As soccer fans from around the world come to the Greater Seattle Area and Snohomish County for FIFA, we’re excited to welcome visitors to our corner of the Pacific Northwest!

Whether you’re here for a match, exploring a new area, or extending your trip to enjoy the outdoors, Snohomish County has plenty to offer — from scenic trails to rivers, lakes, and mountain views.

Before heading out on an adventure, take a few minutes to prepare:
📚 Research your route and know what to expect
🗺️ Bring a map and know where you are going
🔦 Carry the Ten Essentials — including a light source and extra layers
📱 Don’t rely only on your phone; service can be limited in many outdoor areas
👥 Tell someone your plans and when you expect to return

Our region is beautiful, but the mountains and wilderness can change quickly. A little preparation helps make sure your adventure is remembered for the right reasons.

Welcome to Washington — enjoy FIFA, explore safely, and have a great visit!

🚨 Mission Recap 🚨

Early this morning, SCVSAR responded with a hasty team of two EMTs to assist a backpacker experiencing a medical emergency in the backcountry.

After arriving on scene, our hasty team assessed and treated the patient. It quickly became apparent that, due to the patient’s condition, they would not be able to safely walk out. A request was made for a helicopter evacuation, and SnoHawk 10 responded to hoist the patient from the scene and transport them to Providence ER for further care.

At the same time, additional SCVSAR ground teams began hiking in with extra medical and rescue equipment in the event inclement weather or other conditions prevented the helicopter from completing the hoist mission. Having backup plans and multiple resources in motion is an important part of how SAR operations are conducted safely and effectively.

The patient and patient’s partner were able to initiate the rescue using the Emergency SOS feature on their iPhone, allowing communication through satellite texting where there was no cell service. Through coordination between Snohomish County 911, the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, and the SCVSAR hasty team, responders were able to exchange information with the patient prior to teams arriving on scene, helping us better assess the seriousness of the situation and respond appropriately.

This mission highlights the importance of preparation, communication, and teamwork in the backcountry. Technology like satellite emergency messaging can be a valuable tool when used alongside proper planning and preparedness.

Thank you to all of our responders who helped get this patient out of the backcountry safely.

Snohomish County Sheriff's Office Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team Snohomish County 911