Last Updated on by
TMR – the Pioneering Advanced Life Support Mountain Rescue Unit
The work of Dr Ben Constance has meant TMR is now a classified ALS provider. Bringing full scope medical care to our patients in high angle and technical terrain in the Washington wilderness. We have 4 emergency physicians and paramedics working with TMRU, and another with Olympic Mountain Rescue. The goal is to have a network of wilderness trained physicians along the west coast of WA that can also provide mutual aid and improve our advanced medical coverage for all our missions. For more information and to sponsor this groundbreaking program visit www.mountainmedicine.us.
Tacoma Mountain Rescue is a Charity.
Because TMR is a 100% volunteer 503(c) charity with 0% admin costs we need just $20,000 per year to operate; providing search, rescue & recovery from Mt Adams, Mt Rainier to Mt Baker and mountain safety education throughout Washington State.
But to keep Tacoma Mountain Rescue running we do need $20,000 – so we need you! Please donate online today or contact us about business sponsorship. On behalf of the next lives saved – thank you!
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians
An amazing group responsible for much of our life-saving equipment, search vehicles, gear, and operational funding.
The Ben Cheney Foundation
A long time supporter of Tacoma Mountain Rescue, the foundation has provided funds for both of our Rescue trucks.
Puget Sound Energy
These guys do more than deliver gas and electricity, their assistance in getting a second truck allows us to deliver people to where we are needed.
Outdoor Research
Thanks to Seattle based Outdoor Research for the great gear and great discounts you give TMR unit members.
Wet Coast
Thanks to Wet Coast Brewing Company who support TMR through events held at their wonderful Gig Harbor tasting rooms.
You ...
As a charity, every year we struggle for funds for all the gear and stuff that keeps us ready to get to you on the mountain when you need us.
TMR Latest News & Posts
A debris flow occurred in Tahoma Creek on Monday, August 5, 2019, on the southwest side of Mount Rainier National Park. The event originated from a sudden and significant change in the primary outlet stream from the terminus of the South Tahoma Glacier. This change caused a surge of water within the glacier and turned into a debris flow.
The park’s Westside Road and Tahoma Creek Trail sustained some damage, so in consultation with the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, the park has temporarily closed the Westside Road. No damage is expected outside of the park from this event.
News Release: go.usa.gov/xyhjf
NPS/Scott Beason Photo: Very close view of the new cavern at the terminus of the South Tahoma Glacier, which is the initiation point for the 2019 outburst flood and debris flow. ~kl
Where do I find these..are they still available? Found this in a junk shop in Oklahoma
On Monday, Search and Rescue and Snohomish County Volunteer Search & Rescue responded to Glacier Peak to rescue two lost hikers. The hikers activated their PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) and notified dispatch that they were lost. SnoHawk10 departed Taylor’s Landing and flew directly to the coordinates sent by the PLB to dispatch and located the two hikers on top of the ridgeline waving a red tent. The crew landed the helicopter and made contact with the subjects. They were able to secure the hikers and their gear and departed back to Taylor’s Landing.
⚠️SAFETY TIP: The two subjects were equipped with a PLB locator and a paper map, but were unable to navigate their way and believed they had ventured off the paper map. Both subjects had battery power in their cell phones, but no map application installed. Search and Rescue would like to remind backcountry hikers that many map applications (Topo Maps) are a great resource and safety tool to use from a cellular device. They use GPS only and do not require cell service to pinpoint your location.
If you do get lost while hiking, S-T-O-P: Stop, Think, Observe and Plan:
✅Stop: Stay put. Don't panic. Count to 10, drink some water or eat a little food.
✅Think: Where were you when you were last certain of your location? Was it at a trail junction? A river crossing? If so, carefully return to that spot and reevaluate your options.
✅Observe: Put your senses on full alert. Picture in your mind all distinctive features you spotted as you came to your current position. Can you use them as waypoints to guide you back to a place where you were confident of your location? If so, return to that spot. If not, stay put. It's easier for rescuers to find you near your original line of travel.
✅Plan: If you are with others, talk over a plan. If not, it can be useful to say the plan out loud as if you were explaining it to someone else. If it makes sense, then follow your plan. If not, revise your plan. If the situation changes as you follow that plan, use "STOP" again.
