Press & Media.
AROHWS welcomes opportunities to work with the media to share our mission and the impact of our work.
Below are key facts about our organization. For media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact us.
Founded in 2017, the Air Rescue One Heli Winch Society (AROHWS) is a registered nonprofit dedicated to strengthening helicopter-based rescue capability across the Thompson Okanagan. AROHWS fundraises for, equips, and delivers specialized aerial rescue programs in support of search and rescue operations throughout the region.
AROHWS provides rapid-access helicopter rescue services for the most critically injured, lost, or medically compromised individuals in remote and difficult-to-access terrain, ensuring advanced rescue capability is available when ground-based response is not sufficient.
In 2024, AROHWS introduced a dedicated Bell 412EP rescue helicopter, fully equipped with a modern rescue winch system. This major advancement in regional rescue capacity was made possible through the generosity of community donors and the support of our air carrier partners.
To date, AROHWS-supported rescue operations have contributed to the rescue of more than 200 people throughout British Columbia’s Southern Interior.
AROHWS delivers its programs in close collaboration with Vernon Search and Rescue and other local search and rescue teams across the region, integrating air assets, trained personnel, and ground teams to support complex rescue missions.
AROHWS assists in complex rescue with two injured ATV riders up in West Kelowna
Castanet, Sept 26, 2025
The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue were joined by the West Kelowna Fire Department and BC Ambulance Service after two riders were thrown from their vehicles down an embankment and across a creek.
"One rider with spinal injuries was flown out by Air Rescue One. The second, with a suspected broken leg, was carried out by COSAR and WKFD members and transferred to the hospital by ambulance," COSAR said in their post.
The Air Rescue One Helicopter Winch Society provided a flight crew, a winch, and a rescue helicopter to help out volunteers. Read More.
Rescue from Fintry Falls with AROHWS Rescue Heli and Crew
Castanet, July 8, 2025
Adventurers are being reminded to stay on marked trails when outdoors after a Monday night rescue.
It was around 7 p.m. when a report of two hikers at the bottom of the waterfalls at Fintry Provincial Park, sent West Kelowna Fire Rescue and the North Westside Fire Department to the rescue.
"Upon arrival fire crews discovered two patients, one with serious but non-life threatening injuries, the second patient suffered from no injuries," Trevor Bredin from West Kelowna Fire Rescue said in a media release.
"
The injured patient was winched 180 feet from the bottom of the canyon with a Search and Rescue helicopter. The second patient was walked out of the canyon without incident."
Climber Rescued After Fall on B.C. Mountain
Gripped, June 10, 2025
On Sunday, a climber was injured after sliding 200 feet down Mount Severide and was rescued by Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR). The climber suffered a fractured leg.
VSAR said on social media, “Reaching the subject first, the heli-winch rescue team was able to stabilize the subject, transport the remaining group members to the trailhead below, and return to pick up the subject for direct transportation to a waiting ambulance at the Vernon airport.”
VSAR emphasized the importance of preparedness in the unpredictable mountain conditions, advising climbers to include experienced members, carry critical gear like GPS devices, and be ready for changing environments.
The rescue was a joint effort by VSAR, RCMP, and BC Emergency Health Services, with gratitude extended to Air Rescue One Heli Winch Society for their skilled helicopter pilot navigating challenging high-altitude and mountainous terrain. Read more.
Multiple Calls in a Day
Castanet, Feb 6, 2025
On Sunday, three calls came in regarding an injured snowmobiler in the mountains between Faquier and Revelstoke.
Nairn said the calls for rescue came from different sources, with each source providing a different location for the injured party, suggesting three people were in trouble.
While crews were responding to the calls, Nairn said it was determined all three calls were for the same rescue where a snowmobiler had struck a tree and fractured his femur.
“Because it was over four hours travel time by road, we activated our heli-winch rescue team,” she said. “We deployed our ground team and we deployed Air Rescue One.”
Then while transporting the man with the broken femur to hospital, another call came in about an injured snowmobiler in the Shuswap side of Hunter's Range.
“We handed off our first patient and immediately deployed again,” Nairn said. “We had a badly injured snowmobiler, with a spinal injury. We did a hoist rescue and transported them to BC ambulance.”
Dealer Gives Drive a Lift
Castanet, Mar 11, 2022
Bannister GM challenges auto dealers to match donation to Air Rescue One. A challenge between auto dealers is helping to boost Air Rescue One's campaign to get its own rescue winch.
Air Rescue One provides helicopter rescue to the injured, lost, and sick in the backcountry and across the Thompson-Okanagan. Read more.
Get a Lift, Give a Lift
Castanet, Feb 18, 2022
Silver Star to donate $20 from every lift ticket on Family Day to Air Rescue One heli winch campaign. Family Day skiing at Silver Star will help make the Okanagan backcountry safer. The resort is donating $20 from every lift ticket purchased on Monday, with the money going towards purchasing a new detachable winch for the Okanagan's Air Rescue One heli team. Read more.
Rescuers Need a Lift
Castanet, Dec 10, 2021
Air Rescue One launches campaign to buy its own helicopter winch. The Okanagan's Air Rescue One has launched a fundraising campaign that will save lives in the backcountry. Read more.