Dangerous Sports

[banker_frank]

Should those who get injured while doing dangerous sports or hobbies and have to be rescued pay towards these services ?

[spathiphyllum]

No. I'm sure though, for example if someone got mountain rescue to come and save them, that they may donate to mountain rescue charities in the future.

Price may make people not want to call for help, even though they may seriously need it.

[banker_frank]

A few weeks ago I was injured doing a dangerous sport , this is true. I had to be rescued by the coast guard and had an ambulance trip to A&E. I was very embarrassed about it all and would have been happy to pay a set fee for the rescue. In other countries ambulance transport is not free.

[andy-hughes]

This is a tricky concept.

It speaks to the notion that - if people are contributing towards their own misfortune, they should pay an additional charge to be rescued / treated and so on.

From there, it's a short step to asking obese people or smokers to pay extra to the NHS - which a large number of people see as a viable concept.

The difficulty here is the age-old issue - 'line drawing'.

Who decides who is being reckless, and who decides who and how much they would pay?

The simplest way is not to embark on that road, and simply accept that in a free and caring society, we offer help and support to the deserving majority, and as part of that, we accept that the undeserving minority are lucky enough to be included.

Since we cannot provide for the former without also providing for the latter, we simply must accept that some people don't deserve help and support, but they are going to get it anyway, because not to supply it compromises that help and support for the rest of us.

[spathiphyllum]

If you feel that bad, then i suggest you make donations to the RNLI.

[banker_frank]

Spath I do many charity events for our local Air Ambulance. BTW The Coast Guard is a different organisation to the RNLI. I was not rescued from the sea.

[spathiphyllum]

OK. My general point stands, though.

If people had to pay for these services, it would stop them using them in an emergency situation.

[aelmpvw]

am i the only one who is curious about the circumstances regarding frank's injury?

[retrocop]

Yes. If sheer stupidity is the root cause of the injury. Lack of proper equipment and clothing (Fell walking).
Engaging in any water activity without seaworthy craft and in blue water no flares,radio etc etc. Cavers who tell no one their routes destinations.
In many cases the RNLI are entitled to negotiate salvage rights as is any boat owner who assists in the rescue/tow of a stricken boat.
Little known fact that the Amblance service can and do charge for RCA victims although the crew do not always face danger themselves when attending accidents. Coast Guards and other volunteers should be renumerated.
If a potential charge for rescue is made then it may waken up the idiots and maybe they will do their utmost not to incur it by their own stupidity.

[banker_frank]

Believe me, when you are injured on a beach a mile from the nearest vehicle access, with the tide comingin, the last thing you are thinking about is money.
BTW I'm not talking huge amounts, just a contribution of say £50 towards expenses.

[spathiphyllum]

My answer is still no. Everyone deserves to be rescued, an the reason you didn't think of money, is probably because you have it.

Some people wouldn't risk dept for the sake of their life.

[banker_frank]

Obviously there would be exceptions for those that could not pay. It works well in other countries. Anyone who can't afford £50 towards their rescue probably would not be able to afford the sport anyway. I'm only talking about dangerous sports, not all sports.

[Rockrose]

I’m not sure, I already pay towards the NHS and have save them significantly recently by having my last 2 operations privately.
Should I therefore pay for the treatment and investigation for my recent riding accident?

[Rockrose]

Don’t you take out insurance when you participate in ‘dangerous ‘ sports?

[spathiphyllum]

Mountain climbing is free. Getting stranded on a beach is free. Being swept out to sea is free of charge.

If they can't afford it they don't have to pay it? Then what's the point? Yet again inequality towards those who work to be able to afford such things.

[banker_frank]

Pay for your rescue and journey to A&E if you used a service, but not your treatment.

[banker_frank]

Rockrose. Were you insured for your riding accident? Horse riding is classed as a dangerous sport.

[spathiphyllum]

I get where you're coming from.. But i mean. The government could just actually fund the NHS fairly. Lowe this auesterity.

Imagine how many people in the UK pay tax every day, and how much tax they pay. Evey time they buy a bottle of water, a meal deal, cigarettes, a train ticket.. etc.. etc..

Where is all the money going?

We have 30.3 million taxpayers. Imagine if we all paid 1p a day (we pay a lot more, i tell you). Where is over 30.3 million going daily? Pfft.

This isn't a consumer thing. It's a issue with the gov and their funding / austerity.

[banker_frank]

Mountain climbing is not free, the equipment costs a fortune
Getting stranded on a beach with an incoming tide is not a dangerous sport, and I don't think getting swept out to sea is one either.

[Rockrose]

Since when has horse riding has been classed as a dangerous sport?

[spathiphyllum]

Every year horse riding causes deaths and very serious injuries such as long term paralysis from spinal cord damage. It is certainly a dangerous sport.