Some unfortunate news.

Sgt. Janick Gilbert of Baie-Comeau, Quebec - died while serving on a rescue mission in Igloolik, Nunavut.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/10/29/mtl-.html

RIP Sgt.

Dang. That really sucks. RIP.

HJ

RIP. Those SAR guys are the truest sort of heroes. The foe they battle is death itself.

In a world where too many people routinely label their favorite athlete or celeb as "heroes." A true hero perished in one of the most remote and inhospitable places on earth.

Although I have never been directly involved with SAR operations, I know many people who are current active or former members and there is plenty of national recognition of the sacrifice that Sgt. Janick Gilbert made in an effort to save those who were in need of rescue.

This link has some more background information on the circumstances of the resulting rescue mission.

I stand in awe of the skill, courage, and dedication of our Canadian Forces SAR TECHs. They parachute into incredibly remote and dangerous situations that anyone else would avoid at all costs.

Thank you for your service, Sgt. Gilbert. Rest well.

An early report has been issued regarding this fatality. The investigation is ongoing. Since the detail-oriented members of this forum may find the report of interest, I am posting a link. I trust we can dispense with the usual vitriol and BS.

http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/dfs-dsv/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=12515

Anything that smells like vitriol and BS will be dealt with promptly.

I'm going to move this thread to The Survival Forum.


chaosmagnet

I am in awe of his courage. I have done a few dives in 34 degree water and it is an unbelievably severe environment, even without the big waves, which would be challenging even in warm water.

I hope they will be able to determine how it is that his life raft tether separated.........