Another successful rescue after a PLB was activated. What is interesting about this is the relative short time frame from when the PLB was activated (approx 5:45 pm) and by 7:15 pm, a RCMP chopper was on the scene. Given the area and distance from the westcoast mainland (2 ferry trips) this really proves that carrying a PLB...and knowing when to activate it, can mean a difference between life and death had the injuries been more severe and required advanced emergency medical care on the mainland or the South Vancouver island hospitals.

A distress call from an emergency beacon helped Powell River RCMP save a 47-year-old North Vancouver woman from a “potentially life threatening situation” hiking atop an icy slope near Center Lake on Sunday.

Around 5:45 p.m. the woman and another hiker were ice hiking along a mountainside north of Powell River when the woman lost her footing and fell down the icy slope, striking her head on an exposed rock area.

Luckily, Powell River Search and Rescue and RCMP were able to quickly respond as the hikers used an emergency beacon with a GPS locater.

“It’s almost a lifeline for people that are going to do some of these more extreme sports or activities,” said Lagan.

An RCMP helicopter found the hikers by 7:15 p.m. and the woman was treated for a head injury on scene and flown to the Powell River Hospital where her injuries were reported as non-life threatening.

“It just could have easily been the other scenario,” said Lagan. “(But) in this case these people were properly equipped.”