*this is obviously a promo video for DJI but valid nonetheless.

For a variety of reason, more and more folks are pushing their limits into the backcountry and these same people are causing increases in search and rescue operations.  In 2017, traditional ground search and rescue operations supplemented by overhead helicopter searches can you be combined into one go fast team with flight technology fits in a backpack.

I going to go ahead and say that any major resort should have a professional level drone operator on the payroll, ready to go skids up at any given moment.

Much like avalanche dogs, the drone operator and his equipment might spend the majority of their time honing their skills while simultaneously being powerful public relations tools (filming, taking pictures, practicing for rescues) but snap into search mode when an emergency happens.

I think drones are inexorably part of the future of backcountry search and rescue and getting on board early is the only way to go.

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