Mountain Rescue - yes or no?

[Steep]

After another weekend of the rescue services having to pull people off the mountains here in Scotland (at great expense to the taxpayer) I'm beginning to wonder if we should go looking for them at all.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6351339.stm

Eight people rescued, two injured and one dead in one weekend. As far as I know they were all well enough equipped but some 'got lost' others got caught out by the weather.

It's a bugbear of mine, taking responsibility for your own actions i.e. if you speed and get caught shut up and pay the fine, if you drink and drive and hurt someone else you do time, because you are responsible.
If someone decides of their own free will to go out onto the mountains I think they should be prepared to get themselves off again. There has been talk for years of trying to make people pay for the emergency services costs, I think this would just stop them making the call, or make the call and plead poverty after. If there was no rescue service at all maybe they would think twice or three times about doing what they intend to do and maybe go better prepared if they do go.

Am I too harsh in my thinking? what say you?

 

[GfK]

I agree. Like with these knobheads that end up living in an upside down boat for a week while some poor sod has to sail out to rescue them.

You know the risks. You put yourself in that situation. If you die, you die.

 

[chewyuk]

Think I better go prepared, as I'll be up there on Tuesday !!!!!

 

[mrgubby]

Emergency services should be free (paid for by taxes after all) but I cannot understand why Mountain Rescue & Lifeboats are not funded the same way


Ps. Idiots who go Climbing / Sailing etc without the correct gear / training should get prosecuted (you do for wasting Police time)

 

[scoff]

I fully agree.
Went to Skye and came unstuck. We got ourselves out of the crap though. Only took an extra 18 hours!!!
Not once did we conside the prospect of rescue... no one was hurt!
MAke people pay... if they cant afford the cost, dont get in trouble in the first place.

 

[EOS_JD]

I think it's time the people who do dangerous sports like Ice Walking and the like should be forced to take out insurance to pay the costs of rescue or pay for it themselves!

 

[Matt.]

I think it's time the people who do dangerous sports like Ice Walking and the like should be forced to take out insurance to pay the costs of rescue or pay for it themselves!

True. That and people who do dangerous sailing trips and going for records, etc... It must cost stupid amounts of money to rescue people doing things like that!

 

[oldgit]

Ps. Idiots who go Climbing / Sailing etc without the correct gear / training should get prosecuted (you do for wasting Police time)

After passing (about 1/2 way down) a "chinaman" (ahem) and family climbing Ben Nevis in flip flops and a brolly (going up) in the rain, I think I have to agree.

That said they probably had a very nice "stroll" and the guy with all the kit and no luck will have tripped and done his ankle in. Thats the way it goes.

My thanks and gratitude go out to the mountain rescue guys who are willing to put themselves on the line for someone else

(NB: did you know that the police,fireservice etc have to abide by health and safety guidelines, but Mountain rescue is exempt?)

 

[HIMUPNORTH]

Can't talk for the sailing thing but as a long time hill-walker I can and will talk about mountain rescue.

Firstly. Rescuer becomes rescued. This is an often misunderstood fact by those that do not partake in the sport and the media never bring this to the fore.

The rescuers are ardent mountaineers that love the challenge that wild places bring. They will push themselves to the limit to rescue other because they know that one day they may need similar assistance. They take responsibilty for themselves but if anyone has spent a night in a temt/bivvy bag/snow hole you will know just how harsh these conditions can be.

This is universally accepted by any and all seasoned mountain goers.

2nd. Training. The rescue services learn valuable lessons from live action rescues and the services accept this cost as part of developing a world class team. Nothing more need be said there.

3rd. Plonkers. Every sport and activity has them. They go off into the hills on an apparently fine March day thinking all is well. They have no idea how conditions will change or how fast. They are inappropriately dressed and have no food/additional clothing for when condition do turn bad. These people are everywhere, they drive on our roads, they do not have their kids wear their seatbelts, they just do not think. They are not reserved to the hills.


You are not harsh Steep. I could argue you are misinformed but that would also be unfair. The reality is that mountain-going is becoming more widespread and the media actually make you feel that more people should go into those wild spaces. This will inevitably bring more idiots and more stories that will make the news media salivate. Like all things you just have to dig a little deeper to find the real story.

I walked for 10 years before I had the nerve to carry out winter expeditions. I still fear and respect those mountains but, properly equipped believe I can survive the worst that those conditions throw at me. I hope also I need never prove that statement.

 

[kissfoto]

Totally agree with Garry. When needed is essential as is preparation and thought before attempting to do potentially dangerous things, the mountains can be a dagerous place even in summer and deserve the ultimate respect. But lets remember that no matter how prepared individuals might be accidents and mishaps do happen even to those who have taken the tiem to train and prepare. Mountain and Sea rescues should be directly funded.