Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) has partnered with the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) to develop a Critical Incident Stress Management program, also referred to as CISM.

The goal of the program is to provide in-house CISM services to our members.

Marine search and rescue volunteers are trained to respond to high-risk situations to save others. Sadly, not all searches end in rescues; any mission can quickly turn into a recovery of someone who has perished on the water. Close calls, major injuries, and incidents involving children can also be very difficult to process.

Critical incident stress refers to the range of physical and psychological symptoms that might be experienced by someone because of being involved in a traumatic or critical incident. Although these are normal responses to abnormal events, these symptoms can cause discomfort or distress, possibly impacting one’s sense of well-being and day to day functioning.

CISM is a system of crisis intervention designed to reduce the negative psychological impact of traumatic events that people have been exposed to. Its purpose is to support one’s return to their daily routine, and with less likelihood of experiencing negative long-term effects.

Twelve (12) RCMSAR members have completed their peer support training and received an international certification that enables them to deliver CISM services to all our 31 stations.

In addition to providing CISM services, our team members are available to deliver education and awareness presentations to other RCMSAR members.

STATION LEADERS: To book a presentation for your station, email cism.training@rcmsar.com.

Any RCMSAR member can reach out for CISM support by calling toll free 1-888-958-3027, or emailing cism.request@rcmsar.com

Normally, if one or more members are involved in a situation, station leadership will step in and request support on behalf of their members.

It’s important to note that a CISM request isn’t limited to RCMSAR activities or incidents; it can extend to events or incidents in a member’s personal life.

To request CISM support, individuals or station leadership can submit a written request to cism.request@rcmsar.com or by calling 1-888-958-3027. This request should provide details on the reasons for the request, such as the nature of the incident and the number of members involved.

Once the request is received, the CISM Team dispatcher will review it and acknowledge the request within 24 hours.

Following this review, peer support personnel will be assigned. Following assignment, based on need, a peer support person or support team will then actively begin the process.

All support provided through the CISM program is confidential.

Note: Unlike RCMSAR taskings and the need to respond in real time, CISM support normally takes place two to seven days after the request has been made.

CISM 101 Presentation
RCMSAR and BCSARA Partnership
CISM Request SOP
Working Committee Terms of Reference

Station Leaders can book an Education and Awareness session for their members by submitting a request to cism.training@rcmsar.com. Sessions can be conducted in person or virtually.

For more information about Critical Incident Stress, including downloadable brochures and videos, visit BCSARA’s CISM webpage.

Govt of BC – Help Starts Here

WorkSafe Crisis Support Line

BCSARA’s mission is to represent the un-paid professional ground search and rescue community in BC by providing advocacy, support for funding and health and safety, access to information as well as public education and prevention. BCSARA was formed in 2002 and is a registered non-profit society representing 78 search and rescue groups across the province.

Operating the largest all-volunteer critical incident support network in North America, BCSARA provides peer support, post-incident debriefing, and resiliency resources to help search and rescue (SAR) volunteers deal with the stresses experienced during SAR operations.