B.C. search and rescue groups caution against using new locator app

SQUAMISH (NEWS 1130) – B.C. search and rescue crews are warning people heading into the great outdoors not to download a new locating service after a North Vancouver RCMP emergency dispatcher encouraged people to get the app.

In recent media reports, dispatcher Jodie Cohan encouraged all British Columbians to download the geolocation service called What3Words, claiming it streamlined the process of finding lost people.

The free app divides the world into three-metre squares and assigns each with a unique combination of three random words, which is supposed to allow first responders to pinpoint the exact location of a person or emergency.

However, Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR) manager BJ Chute says when people are in the backcountry “their only phone call should be to 911.”

“It’s only through the 911 system that search and rescue can be activated in our province,” he said, adding if people use a third party app, it could hamper rescue efforts.

“I don’t think that (What3Words) is the savior of search and rescue that it’s been touted out to be in the in the media, recently.”

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Squamish SAR isn’t against any apps that allow people to do georeferencing, according to Chute, however, crews already have a system that sends people a text with a link and locates them using the GPS system on their phone.

“It would just be a redundancy for us,” he said. “Our system not only allows us to get as accurate a GPS location as any other app, but it takes away any possibility for transcription errors or communication errors. And not only that, here in Squamish, we are able to, through this text message, directly load that information into our mapping software and live-track the people who may be lost.”

The current system also does not rely on a person downloading a third party app ahead of time, he said.

Chute says whenever possible, SAR crews want to speak directly with the people who may be lost because that will be the best source of information to find them.

Absolutely do not rely on W3W.

Police and dispatchers have been warned by SAR and geospatial experts to stop using and recommending W3W

As @cybergibbons writes, their various claims are largely unsubstantiatedhttps://t.co/JebDcJ8hBN

— Michael “oplopanax” Coyle (@lithohedron) October 11, 2021

North Shore Rescue took to Facebook on Monday to reiterate is does not support the use of What3Words.

“Unfortunately they have used some stock photos of NSR members implying our endorsement which is not correct,” the organization wrote in the post, referencing a similar note it made in January.

“We have evaluated other systems from private companies, such as “What Three Words”, that require the download/installation of an app and the use of a proprietary location system that has no widespread adoption….we do not see a place for them in the BC search and rescue community and do not advocate their use.”

The app, which is available in more than 50 languages, is already being used in eight provinces and two territories, and has been implemented in more than 42 dispatch centres. In British Columbia, B.C. Emergency Health Services, who dispatch to all ambulance services in the province, have integrated What3Words into all of their systems.

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Chute reiterated people should always call 911 first in an emergency and encouraged anyone heading into the wilderness to pack an extra battery charger to make sure celluar devices can stay charged for as long as possible. As the weather gets cooler, he also encourages people to pack warm clothing and extra food and water.

“It’s also really imperative that people do call early and understand that there is no recourse there,” he said. “Search and rescue is free in the province, and we just simply want to come and help.”