25-05-2025
Colorado Search and Rescue helping prepare teams statewide for swift water rescue scenarios
DENVER (KDVR) — With Memorial Day considered the unofficial kick-off to summer, people will soon start to enjoy outdoor activities around the state, like rafting or tubing down the state's many rivers. Since accidents happen, teams around the state are standing by, ready to save lives.
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Colorado Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization that connects all individual search and rescue teams around the state, providing resources and education to keep you safe on the water.
'We call this the starting gates to the summer,' said Nicole Lathrop with Chaffee County Search and Rescue North.
Memorial Day through Labor Day is the busiest time of the year for her team. Through help from CSAR, Lathrop said they're able to stay ready with extra resources at their disposal.
'Air resources or more team members for looking for someone who's lost,' said Dawn Wilson with CSAR.
Anything a search and rescue team could need.
Lathrop said they encourage anyone heading out on the rivers to bring proper safety gear and consider hiring a guide if you're new to the area.
'They will have somebody go down the river to show you where there are hazards like strainers or really bad rapids that maybe you're not comfortable with yet,' she said.
When accidents do happen, they have plenty of tools at their disposal to jump into action.
'You can see the boat behind me, we have plenty of rope gear and all that,' said Lathrop.
Including a new tool from CSAR, a video series called Trailblazers and Lifesavers.
'To help people learn the safety of rock climbing or swift water without boring them or throwing it in their face,' said Wilson.
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Essential education that they hope will prevent accidents before they even happen, and make that busy season a little less busy.
'We want to put ourselves out of business,' said Wilson.
You can find those videos on CSAR's social media pages and website. Because they are volunteer-based, Lathrop also encourages anyone wanting to help out to check out volunteer opportunities with their local search and rescue teams.
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