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New app aims to improve backcountry safety

AdventureSmart app comes with trip-planning feature
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Looking for a tool to plan a safe ski tour or hiking trip?

There's an app for that now.

Created by AdventureSmart—a national organization dedicated to promoting safety in the backcountry and reducing the number and severity of search-and-rescue incidents—the AdventureSmart Trip App helps people pack essentials and plan ahead, ensuring that backcountry users notify friends or family before their trips.

Using the trip-planner feature, users can input vital information, such as where they will be visiting, their route and itinerary. Users are also prompted to input trusted contacts, who are then emailed or texted their plans. If a user doesn't make it home safe by a scheduled time, it's up to the contact to notify authorities.

"If there is no reply, then they have all of the (information) to send off to RCMP or the local municipal police," explained Sandra Riches, B.C. AdventureSmart coordinator.

Having the information can be a huge help to search-and-rescue teams.

"It can make the difference between them finding you in a few hours compared to a few days," she said.

Moreover, the app also offers handy checklists that can be used to make sure you are adequately prepared for whatever adventure you're planning.

For people planning a summer camping trip, these will include such things as fire starters, extra clothing, and even an emergency shelter, explained Riches.

Given people's fondness for smartphones and apps, Riches hopes that using the app becomes a force of habit for users.

"What we're trying to do is instill some behavioural change," said Riches, noting that AdventureSmart's three main tenets are trip planning, training and taking essentials. "We're trying to instill some habits."

The app, she stressed, is relevant for anyone who engages in backcountry recreation, from newbie hikers to experienced backcountry users.

"Say you're an experienced backcountry snowmobiler and you head up on the Pemby ice cap on a regular basis, please, use the app," said Riches. "We know you guys have it down pat and know what you're doing.

"However, there are a few things that could help us find you and help us get you out of there more quickly (if something goes wrong)."

The app is available for download on Apple and Android devices. It is also available for use via web browser here: plan.adventuresmart.ca.

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