Storm Ciara: Further Idiocy

[ChillDoubt]

...and placing Rescue workers/volunteers in heightened danger through lunacy:


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-51447226

It’s obvious from the statement by Lochaber Rescue Team that they’re fed up of ill-equipped morons endangering all concerned. As I said on the surfer thread, this needs to be made an offence.

[TheDevil]

Nical I'm just not about the blaming the victim and mocking them for it also. They didn't go up the mountain hoping to get saved. It was an accident. They must have been through a lot and an intense time.

Mistakes happen.

We're all high and mighty sat behind the computers but I wonder how people would feel if those who got rescued were their family members.

Mistakes can be made, but lifes can't be returned.

[Nical]

Thanks, TD. I'm certainly not 'high and mighty sat behind the computer'. If it were one of my family involved, I'd let them recover from their ordeal and then, only then, ask 'what on earth were you thinking of?'. Yes, accidents do happen - and so do acts of stupidity. Whether you personally like it or not, there have been many, many instances of the latter.

[TheDevil]

It's not like they were smoking dope and had to get rescued though.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/24/too-high-men-rescued-from-scafell-pike-unable-to-walk-due-to-cannabis

They were just trying to climb the mountain.

[Mozz71]

How about this?

There's an off season for this kind of thing. From November to March (for instance), certain climbs are closed to the pubic, unless accompanied by a registered expert. This way, it will hugely reduce the amount of rescues needed. Sure, people break the rules, or experts occasionally make errors, but on the whole, it will cut the incidents to a minimum.

[DTCwordfan]

In my 'death crew' time - the Lochaber crew took an injunction out against an elderly woman who insisted that her equipment was British - so consequently old and crap that it was.....they came out so many times for her.....

One time, as the clouds were swirling around they were warming her up in a bothy (stone hut) up there and, suddenly, the door opened and two Pakistanis walked in, she in a sari and he in normal day-to-day trousers and brown shoes. "We fancied a walk" was their response to 'Why are you out here?"

[bhg481]

I think Mozz has the answer.

[TheDevil]

Mountains are about freedom. The only kind of restrictions they should have is times where mountain biking is allowed and where (for example the snowdon llanberis path mountain bike agreement).

[bhg481]

Yes, mountains are about freedom but they're also about respect and common sense. When a section of the public doesn't recognise this then rules need to be imposed.

[TheDevil]

And where there are restrictions, they're usually classed as "voluntary agreements".

[bhg481]

"certain climbs are closed to the pubic" - Mozz's typo reminds me of a friend of mine many years ago who could not understand why certain body hair was call "Public Hair" when you weren't supposed to let people see it.

[Mozz71]

//Mountains are about freedom//

True, and I'm up for a singalong of The Manchester Rambler whenever you fancy, but if people are going to put themselves at risk through lack of preparation or bad judgement calls, then rules have to be put in place. I'm not calling for a blanket ban, just sensible precautions to be put in place

[bhg481]

Call them "Voluntary agreements" if you like but make it very clear that no rescue missions will be launched,

[Mozz71]

I missed that BHG, but who doesn't love the feel of the mountain breeze in their hair? ;-)

[Mozz71]

//Call them "Voluntary agreements" if you like but make it very clear that no rescue missions will be launched//

I wouldn't go that far. If they have a guide with them, he will have contact with the rescue centre, so if its needed, he'll be able to radio for assistance. Accidents happen, but I'm trying to cut down the ones caused by carelessness,, or just plain stupidity.

[bhg481]

Mozz - I was referring to people who choose to go alone ignoring all the advice. I agree that going with a qualified guide would be acceptable.

[Mozz71]

Even then they shouldn't be abandoned, but maybe a fine for disobeying the rules could be levied. A proper fine, like a driving fine.

[retrocop]

Perhaps like salvage rights there should be regulations stating anyone contemplating a certain climb above X ft between certain winter months of the year should (a) be insured (b)suitably equipped to an agreed specification of kit, (c)be equipped with means of communication and spare battery. Non compliance. No rescue.
A little known fact that RNLI crew are perfectly entitled to claim salvage rights for vessels and crew who are in peril, but seldom do so . It is human nature normally to go to the rescue of your fellow man but why should a Volunteer Mountain rescuer not receive some reward for having to leave his cosy warm fire and family on a filthy night to rescue a load of hapless selfish morons who escaped the gene pool.

[TheDevil]

The reward he gets is the respect of the world for being in theory, an emergency service. That respect is lost when he starts demanding reward for his volunteering.

[Barmaid]

I do not think any respect is lost at all. Many emergency service personnel are paid - we do not respect them any the less.

The Lochaber Mountain Rescue team are all volunteers. However, the RAF very often do SAR in mountainous regions and are paid. The RNLI employs some paid crew as well.

[retrocop]

Precisely Barmaid.