Central Okanagan Search & Rescue

10/20/2026

Last evening, COSAR was called to assist the RCMP in searching for a 91 year old man with dementia who had been missing for approximately five hours.
Given his history of wandering and being found in familiar locations, teams initially focused their efforts on areas where he had previously been located.
Our K9 team then searched an area identified as having a high probability of success based on the subject’s profile. Shortly afterwards, he was located.
With nighttime temperatures dropping and the subject’s advanced age presenting additional concerns, finding him quickly was critical to his safety and well being.
The urgency of the situation led us to consider requesting mutual aid from VSAR and PenSAR, however, a strong turnout from COSAR allowed us to respond without additional resources.
A reminder to everyone: In Canada, you do not need to wait 24 hours to report someone missing.
If a loved one with dementia or another vulnerable person goes missing, contact police immediately.
Early reporting gives search teams a better chance of locating the person safely.

10/19/2026

10/18/2026

It has been another busy week for COSAR.
Senior Search Manager Duane Tresnich travelled to Reykjavik, Iceland, to present his findings on the role of social media in multi day search operations at the Rescue 2026 international search and rescue conference. It was an opportunity to share lessons learned and contribute to the ongoing development of search and rescue practices with professionals from around the world.
Closer to home, our president and rope team leads toured the site of our new COSAR hall on John Hindle Drive. This facility will be an important investment in our members, our training and our ability to serve the community.
On Saturday morning, our bike, ground, medical and command teams took part in a full team training scenario. Working together, members located, assessed and transported two simulated subjects, applying Lost Person Behaviour principles and practising the coordination required during an actual search.
The week also included a challenging recovery operation on Okanagan Lake. HEART recovered the body of a missing paddleboarder with coordinates supplied by COSAR’s K9 and boat teams. Our thoughts are with the individual’s family and friends during this difficult time. We are grateful to everyone involved in the operation and to our partner agencies for their continued cooperation.

10/15/2026

Today, COSAR Search Manager Duane Tresnich left for Reykjavík, Iceland, as a guest speaker at the 18th annual Rescue26 International Search and Rescue Conference.
With SAR personnel from 25 countries expected to attend, the conference brings together international professionals to share knowledge, experience, and best practices.
Duane will speak about the important connection between search and rescue and social media, exploring a topic that increasingly influences public communication and search operations.
A 15-year member of COSAR, Duane has spent the past six years as a Search Manager and has managed more than 325 search and rescue tasks during his volunteer career.
We are proud to see Duane representing COSAR and Canadian search and rescue on the international stage. His experience and dedication reflect the professionalism of our entire volunteer team.

10/13/2026

COSAR continues to support the RCMP investigation and search for Kyle Yrjola, who went missing on September 22.
Our search efforts on Okanagan Lake utilized sonar, K9, air, drone, and water-based search techniques. Due to the depth of the lake, the extent of underwater searching that SAR could undertake was limited without specialized towed sonar equipment.
All information gathered during the search was provided to RCMP investigators, and a request was made for the National Underwater Recovery Team to conduct the final recovery.
While COSAR cannot comment further on the search efforts, we continue to support the RCMP’s efforts and extend our thoughts and condolences to Kyle’s family during this difficult time.

10/04/2026

Our primary response vehicle, the Ford F550 we call Kilo One, has seen plenty of action lately.
Last night around 8 PM, we received a call about an injured and possibly lost hiker near Little White. Ten volunteers responded, while four more stayed in the valley to handle mapping, logistics, and efforts to establish communications with the hiker and his friends.
Our on-scene SARM dispatched medical, GSAR, drone, and ATV/UTV teams. They located the hiker, treated him, and brought his friends out safely. The task wrapped up by 2:30 am.
Pro tip: Don't leave home without the 3Ts (AdventureSmart.ca) and don't leave your injured friend.
Today, K1 is at the Kelowna Fire Department Open House and Pancake Breakfast from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. The event is in downtown Kelowna on Bernard Avenue, between Water Street and the Sails, and is cohosted by the Salvation Army and the Kelowna Professional Fire Fighters Association.
Highlights include a high-angle rescue demonstration at 10:30 am, emergency vehicle displays, kids' games, info booths, and meet-and-greets with local emergency responders including COSAR volunteers.
Come say hi, grab some pancakes, and check out K1

10/02/2026

COSAR has been active over the past four weeks, and that continued on Wednesday when RCMP requested our assistance with an injured subject on the Arrowleaf Trail on Spion Kop Mountain in Lake Country.

A dozen COSAR members responded and led the SAR operation, working alongside Lake Country Fire Department. The subject was located, treated and safely extracted before being transferred to BCEHS with a suspected lower leg injury.

COSAR thanks RCMP, Lake Country Fire Department and BCEHS for their assistance. The effective coordination between all four agencies resulted in a safe and efficient rescue.

09/26/2026

This afternoon, COSAR responded to an RCMP request to assist in the search for a missing man near the High Rim Trail.
We’re happy to share that, despite the weather, everyone, including the subject, made it back safe and sound.

09/16/2026

We’d like to thank all the motorists along Lakeshore Road this afternoon who slowed down as they passed our crew. We were tasked to assist the RCMP, and we really appreciate the courtesy and consideration shown to our rope team working along the road.

09/14/2026

Seven COSAR members attended the tracker training weekend in Vernon, along with SAR members from Wells Gray, Castlegar, Nicola Valley, Vernon, Princeton, Fort St. James, Cowichan, Juan de Fuca, Kamloops and South Columbia.

The course also included a mountain guide from Chile and an RCMP dog handler.

COSAR’s Chris Mushumanski, Brian Stainsby and Astrid Kniepp helped teach the course.