Stupid Tourist Rescued....

[ramblingboy42]

Another stupid bloody tourist rescued at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars because he chose to go for a run through the bush instead of along the roads.
Is he now going to make restitution to the services that searched for so long with helicopters and vehicles?
I believe that people who utilise our emergency services through their own foolishness should be forced by law to pay the services back via bank or payroll deduction.
It wasnt necessary...he only had to run along the station roads....

[Slunnie]

I agree. He should live in a cardboard box on a shelf. Same with all bush walkers... They can do that stuff on the road too.

[MEANZ06]

I'm sorry :p












seriously though, whats the story?

[mikehzz]

Are we talking about "drink my own urine" guy? I'm often carrying a full load of refreshments when I take a little walk in the bush. :D

[Chucaro]

I agree. He should live in a cardboard box on a shelf. Same with all bush walkers... They can do that stuff on the road too.

Yes, build a footpath all along the country roads in Oz :angel: :D

[kenleyfred]

For several years I was a yacht delivery skipper, crossing many oceans and seas. I had one failure. Besides actually sinking, you name it ,it happened to that yacht.
Eventually i had to deploy EPIRB. Several hours later a gigantic tanker came on the horizon at about the same time as a US Coast Guard helicopter arrived. The USCG asked the tanker to stay with me until the Cutter arrived later that day.

Long story short I was an unbelievable annoyance to the tanker, and I'm sure quite an expense as they would have had to motor to make up lost time. It also would have cost the US taxpayers a lot for what their cutter ended up doing for us.

I was not charged a cent. I can tell you I was very grateful for their support.

In my time I have also come to a few other vessels aid, including one boat that was actually sinking and believe it or not a very small open rowing boat with 5 people (refugees) on board trying to paddle to the US, nearest land in any direction was a very long way away.

What goes around comes around.

I am very pleased I wasn't charged, and the training those rescuers in the outback experienced may just be the training required for them to do it for one of us in the future.
Kenley

[sheerluck]

Whilst the guy did something stupid to get himself lost, I don't agree he should be charged.

My view is that it should be part of our overall humanity, to care about our fellow humans enough to hunt for them and save lives. Otherwise we might just as well make all these fine organisations profit making ventures.

Fancy being handed a bill by a Surf Lifesaver after you've been dragged from the water, coughing and spluttering?

[rick130]

I only said to my partner less than ten minutes ago I truly believe we were all put on this rock just to help each other.
Then I read this :(

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Fancy being handed a bill by a Surf Lifersaver after you've been dragged from the water, coughing and spluttering?

Do you get thrown back if you cant pay?:angel:;):D

[sheerluck]

Do you get thrown back if you cant pay?:angel:;):D

Maybe you get the choice of payment type before they drag you on the back of the board?

"How would sir like to pay today? Cash or card?"

"Card....[gurgle gurgle gurgle]"

"Cheque, savings or credit?"

"Sav...[gurgle]...ings"

"Sorry sir, your card has been declined"

"Oh for.....[gurgle]....sake"

[rick130]

Do you get thrown back if you cant pay?:angel:;):D

So that's what's happening when trying to push those whales back out !

[numpty]

Whilst the guy did something stupid to get himself lost, I don't agree he should be charged.

My view is that it should be part of our overall humanity, to care about our fellow humans enough to hunt for them and save lives. Otherwise we might just as well make all these fine organisations profit making ventures.

Fancy being handed a bill by a Surf Lifesaver after you've been dragged from the water, coughing and spluttering?

:o I'm hoping you mean search ;)

[Tombie]

Maybe you get the choice of payment type before they drag you on the back of the board?

"How would sir like to pay today? Cash or card?"

"Card....[gurgle gurgle gurgle]"

"Cheque, savings or credit?"

"Sav...[gurgle]...ings"

"Sorry sir, your card has been declined"

"Oh for.....[gurgle]....sake"

Knowing what Surf Life Savers do with the Budgie smugglers when in the boats...

I dread to think where we have to swipe the card :eek:

[Tombie]

:o I'm hoping you mean search ;)

Image of Vlad skinning a tourist on tailgate of Discovery rolls through head... :wasntme:

[sheerluck]

Knowing what Surf Life Savers do with the Budgie smugglers when in the boats...

I dread to think where we have to swipe the card :eek:

I thought with chip & pin cards they had to be inserted :eek:

[sheerluck]

:o I'm hoping you mean search ;)

Depends which country the tourist is from :p

[zedcars]

I'm sorry :p












seriously though, whats the story?

Meanz06
I think we are referring to this bloke???
British backpacker lost in outback 'survived on contact lens solution' | World news | guardian.co.uk (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/15/british-backpacker-outback-lens-solution?INTCMP=SRCH)

I have come across fellow Brits (Poms) in the Rockies who were freezing on mountain pass in wintertime.
Renting rental Jeep they had left Denver airport (in January) and made for the mountains dressed in shorts and tee shirts. They got caught by a winter snow storm front blowing in from Canada and got stuck. I came across them by chance in my Disco having made a detour to avoid a traffic pile up.

When I got them into the car to warm up I mentioned where are your coats etc? And that the weather in the USA can kill you! Many do each year I continued they and thought I was exaggerating!

I got well it does in England--yes Luv but not like here I retorted. I come from the UK as well, its a mild climate and predicable!
Does Darwin's theory apply here?
Cheers Dennis
zedcars

[Chucaro]

Do you get thrown back if you cant pay?:angel:;):D

Lifesavers will need an eftos terminal fitted on their rescue gear :D

[Sparksdisco]

You have to pay for a ambulance
so why not pay for rescue?

You could pay for a rescue subscripition like ambulance subscription and not have to pay.

It falls under duty of care that people must help if a situation arrises
but not to go out and find them.

[DeeJay]

You have to pay for a ambulance
so why not pay for rescue?

You could pay for a rescue subscripition like ambulance subscription and not have to pay.

It falls under duty of care that people must help if a situation arrises
but not to go out and find them.


And here was me thinking my taxes were at least producing a happy outcome ...:p

[Slunnie]

You have to pay for a ambulance
so why not pay for rescue?

You could pay for a rescue subscripition like ambulance subscription and not have to pay.

It falls under duty of care that people must help if a situation arrises
but not to go out and find them.

Wow, humanity has been lost to business. What a sad day.

I hope you don't charge friends for a snatch when 4WDing.

[Boxhead63]

In my job (which isn't designated as Rescue or Road Service) I stop and assist several motorists a week on WA roads and tracks. Where ever I may find them. Some of them are the naive and tragically dumb backpackers and "Grey Nomads" who in the course of there little adventures or misadventures have come into some sort of strife. They breakdown, they get bogged, they have accidents, they have medical emergencies, They run out of food, water or both. One thing or another that needs a bit of assistance or someone to just pull up and say " are you ok?" or "do you need some help?" That's all it takes. I've assisted with MVA's and bike accidents. Mothers in distress with sick children. The list goes on. But at end of the day all it took was for someone to stop for a couple of seconds and ask " are you ok?"
I don't receive any reward whatsoever but the knowledge that I have done the right thing. Oh, but i forgot to mention that I have met some really wonderful people, sometimes strange, naive, or forgetful people but altogether they're people that need a bit of hand.
Now will that be cash or card? Not on my watch.

Cheers
Rob

[SSmith]

Wow, humanity has been lost to business. What a sad day.

I hope you don't charge friends for a snatch when 4WDing.

If they drive a 'cruiser, yes :p

[disco2hse]

Gotta say, the tone of the first post is pretty mean spirited. The tourist was not stupid, he was naive. If he had been educated, as *everyone* who is Australian by birth surely must be, to carry all life's necessities before leaving the side of the road, and he chose not to, then yes, he might be called stupid.

No, these are stupid tourists:
Concerns raised over tourist-drivers - National - NZ Herald News (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10865800)

Tourist lights campfire next to threatened penguin colony - National - NZ Herald News (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10865808)

[goingbush]

Having rescued lost bushwalkers myself, its just something you are glad to be in a position to do, recompense is the farthest thing from your mind.

Does the RFDS charge for services ??

RFDS - For Travellers (http://yourhealth.flyingdoctor.org.au/for-travellers/)

I cant find anything on this, I wanted to become a member or pay a subscription for service but nothing , My Defence Health cover pays for road Ambulance , but the premium says nothing about covering RFDS

About 1/4 of the RFDS callouts are for "city travellers in trouble on their outback rescue"

I know they have fundraising and accept donations, but whats the main fund source if its not subscriptions.

.... Strangy ???


.

[Cobber]

Most of the funding for the RFDS comes from the government, but in my opinion it really isn't enough for what they do.

I don't believe the hiker should be charged. Sometimes people's ambition is greater than their abilities, it can happen to any of us. It would be in 'good faith' if he made a donation of some kind to a relevant charity or something but I don't think he should be obliged to. :)

[Bigbjorn]

I grew up in Winton and I can assure you that plenty of local bushies who should have known better got themselves lost or in deep poo in the bush, not just tourists.

[Bushie]

The majority of services provided by 'the emergency services' are free. Plenty of stupid actions result in calls to Fire brigade etc, without people even leaving home, I suppose we should be charging for that as well.

"Oh my god - the chips" :D:D:D


Martyn

[ramblingboy42]

ok, so most of you believe that people shouldnt have to consider personal responsibilities to safety and as Cobber says its ok to have your ambitions mixed up with your capabilities and so just go ahead and do whatever you like because theres a search and rescue program out there that will come looking for you. Do any of you have any idea how complex a search and rescue mission becomes for pilots, aircrew, groundcrew, police, SES, ground search co-ordinators and necessary back up organisations? Every person involved has to be fed, clothed, rested, interviewed. Every mode of transport has to have necessary rescue and survival equipment on board and has to be constantly monitored , refuelled/serviced. The logistics of a "small" operation looking for one person are enormous. So most of you think I'm inhumane. I'm only inhumane if I suggest not searching for them. I havent said that, but I believe if a persons rescue is enacted because of their stupidity and it can be proven then they should be liable for meeting costs.

[ramblingboy42]

Bushie...no emergency services are free.

[Chucaro]

........... I havent said that, but I believe if a persons rescue is enacted because of their stupidity and it can be proven then they should be liable for meeting costs.[/COLOR]
How you know that is not stupidity but just plain ignorance?
IMO it is sad that people can put a dollar cost behind operations like this.
With that view about stupidity or ignorance I can imagine about what it is the view of some people about of rescue the boat people. :(

[Cobber]

... as Cobber says its ok to have your ambitions mixed up with your capabilities and so just go ahead and do whatever you like because theres a search and rescue program out there that will come looking for you.that's not what I said at all. Nor is it about 'going ahead and doing whatever you like'. What I am saying is that no matter how well somebody prepares, sometimes it's still not enough. It's human nature to be adventurous, to push boundaries, and unfortunately we aren't always prepared, or aware how far we as individuals are capable of going.


Do any of you have any idea how complex a search and rescue mission becomes for pilots, aircrew, groundcrew, police, SES, ground search co-ordinators and necessary back up organisations? Every person involved has to be fed, clothed, rested, interviewed. Every mode of transport has to have necessary rescue and survival equipment on board and has to be constantly monitored , refuelled/serviced. The logistics of a "small" operation looking for one person are enormous.I cannot speak for everybody here, but I am aware of how many people and how many sections of the emergency services are required to be pulled together in order to pull off a search and rescue operation. But it is these peoples duty to be ready to go as soon as the call comes. They are professionals, and trained to deal with such events. Granted, in the real world things change, and the scenarios will never be the same, but they are better equiped to deal with this kind of thing than any of us ever will be. :)

I am not against charging an individual for search and rescue efforts if it's a repeat 'offender' but for a 'one off?' Well, the aulro jury is certainly out on that ;)

[ramblingboy42]

Every human being in peril should have the chance to be rescued.

[goingbush]

ok, so most of you believe that people shouldnt have to consider personal responsibilities to safety and as Cobber says its ok to have your ambitions mixed up with your capabilities and so just go ahead and do whatever you like because theres a search and rescue program out there that will come looking for you. Do any of you have any idea how complex a search and rescue mission becomes for pilots, aircrew, groundcrew, police, SES, ground search co-ordinators and necessary back up organisations? Every person involved has to be fed, clothed, rested, interviewed. Every mode of transport has to have necessary rescue and survival equipment on board and has to be constantly monitored , refuelled/serviced. The logistics of a "small" operation looking for one person are enormous. So most of you think I'm inhumane. I'm only inhumane if I suggest not searching for them. I havent said that, but I believe if a persons rescue is enacted because of their stupidity and it can be proven then they should be liable for meeting costs.

Isn't that what the Emergency Services are there for??

You could argue that no one should do any type of adventure activity or remote travel in case they come unstuck and need to be rescued.

My argument is if someone has been advised against going somewhere, IE past road closed signs/ or other off limits area , or even over the fence at The Gap (in Sydney) , or outside the safety flags, Bloody oath they need to be charged.

what about the well prepared traveller who has taken every precaution and becomes unstuck, has appropriate EPIRB / SPOT or other locating device , and the Emerg services know exactly where to find him. should they also be charged. ??

[nick_e]

I hope you don't charge friends for a snatch when 4WDing.

Costs at least a carton. 2 if its a Toyota.

Its the idiots that need rescuing that keep emergency services on their toes so when some day I might need rescuing the operation goes off like a well oiled machine and I'm home in time for supper. :cool:

[cewilson]

We are lucky to live in this country. Things like emergency services generally aren't billed and it's the way I personally like it. Yes I understand that some states charge for ambulances, but there's a couple that don't (QLD & TAS for starters).

However the flip side to all of that is we have a culture that generally supports volunteers in a wide array of services. These volunteers are the backbone of this country and without them we'd be screwed.

Our taxes get wasted on so much crap every day of the year. IMHO the provision of emergency services is not one of those wastes.

Lastly we can fix and replace most things in life, but bringing someone back from death is not an option. Better to educate after the fact than attend a funeral.

[Boxhead63]

In my job (which isn't designated as Rescue or Road Service) I stop and assist several motorists a week on WA roads and tracks. Where ever I may find them. Some of them are the naive and tragically dumb backpackers and "Grey Nomads" who in the course of there little adventures or misadventures have come into some sort of strife. They breakdown, they get bogged, they have accidents, they have medical emergencies, They run out of food, water or both. One thing or another that needs a bit of assistance or someone to just pull up and say " are you ok?" or "do you need some help?" That's all it takes. I've assisted with MVA's and bike accidents. Mothers in distress with sick children. The list goes on. But at end of the day all it took was for someone to stop for a couple of seconds and ask " are you ok?"
I don't receive any reward whatsoever but the knowledge that I have done the right thing. Oh, but i forgot to mention that I have met some really wonderful people, sometimes strange, naive, or forgetful people but altogether they're people that need a bit of hand.
Now will that be cash or card? Not on my watch.

Cheers
Rob


From time to time I've had to receive a helping hand. I get bogged on a regular basis The first work car i received was an Auto Trans Hilux with standard suspension. It would get bogged as a daily thing. Even if I ****ed on the road and drove through the puddle, more than likely that'd be where it stopped. Electronics would crap themselves regularly on the trans. leaving me stranded for days at a time. Usually the only way to get out of these jams is waiting, figuring it out or someone stopping and helping. Rule of thumb if your in trouble Stop what you're doing, put the billy on have a cuppa, then think of a solution. Or if you are desperate get on the Sat Phone if you have one and call base. However, even as isolated as a lot of roads can be up here in the Kimberley someone will come along eventually and hopefully it's one of the local Black Fellas with there brilliant bush mechanic skills and all of a sudden VOILA! Problems are sorted pronto and your on your way.
Ahh Living the dream. The Kimberley way.

Cheers
Rob

[rick130]

The bloke has been here for a bit over a week and is Jackerooing on the Station.

He went out for a run.
He's eighteen (and fit, thankfully)
He got lost.
He survived. (and had enough sense to use the contact lens wash he found)
He was found.

Backpacker survived outback on contact lens fluid (http://www.smh.com.au/national/backpacker-survived-outback-on-contact-lens-fluid-20130216-2ejv6.html)

It happens.

Hands up who hasn't been 'temporarily confused of their whereabouts' navigating unfamiliar bush when walking ?

I have when walking by myself in virgin bush in NZ and I consider myself pretty good at navigating (didn't have map, compass or anything that morning though, we'd navved our way into a valley with a guide and I just went for a quick stroll up a creek and another valley and...)
Luckily it only took me an hour to work out where I was and find my way back to the fly camp we'd pitched and so no one was any the wiser (until now :angel:)

[bee utey]

The rescued guy is apparently selling his story to the British media and donating the proceeds to the rescue services:

British backpacker sells outback survival story - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-17/british-backpacker-sells-outback-survival-story/4523858)


The family says all money raised will be donated to authorities involved in the search and rescue.

[goingbush]

Hands up who hasn't been 'temporarily confused of their whereabouts' navigating unfamiliar bush when walking ?



Hands stuck in my pockets

classic scenario - gold detecting, very easy to walk klms without even realising it, and often around in circles. Never again without a gps in my pocket. When it dawns on you that you might actually BE lost you do tend to panic a bit.

[Sparksdisco]

And here was me thinking my taxes were at least producing a happy outcome ...:p


Wow, humanity has been lost to business. What a sad day.

I hope you don't charge friends for a snatch when 4WDing.

I hate the internet for getting taken out of context.


When I first came over to WA the first thing I did was asked where do i pay for my RFDS subscription.

All i got was a blank look and got told it's free.

I make a donation every year now.

Yes the goverment payes for emergency services but I bet your life they could not provide the service on the govement funding alone.

I think it is outright selfish to think you dont have to pay anything if you got rescued.

I'm not a heartless person. far from it infact. but I am a realist.

Rescue cost's money. end of story.
humanity wont pay for fuel, hellicoptors, Planes ect ect



And yes it's around a box of beer for a snatch and bragging rights for at least until someone else get's stuck.:p

[Sparksdisco]

And in this case I would be looking at charging the station for the cost of rescue.

A. He was employed by the station as a jackaroo.
b. What training did he have to be on a remote propery
c. The station's duty of care to ensure the safty of it's staff

Like I said i'm not hartless just a realist

[Basil135]

In SA, we pay an "Emergency Services Levy"

This goes to Police, SES, SLS, Fire & Ambulance, both paid & volunteer, to help with the running of those services.

Police only charge for "organised events" - think the cricket, where a larger than normal police presence is required, meaning that logistics are involved.

Ambulance will charge for transporting you. Many health funds cover this cost, and a subscription is available also. I THINK that if you are on a pension / health care / vet affairs card etc, then this charge is reduced or waived.

Fire service do not charge for attendance for a genuine event, or justified false alarm. They do have the right to charge for a second false alarm in a 30 day period, if that alarm is monitored and attendance requested. That said, I am yet to hear of anyone receiving a charge to date.


I can give you the details for most of the other states too, as this is what I do day to day... :cool:

At the end of the day, someone pays. Be it the taxpayer, or the individual.

IIRC, there are agreements in place between countries, where they can send each other the bill for a rescue of one of their nationals. Not quite sure if this is accurate, but it rings a bell.

As for billing someone for the cost of a rescue, whats the point? Even a simple, one day search, where the lost / stuck person walks out with help, would have to be in the vicinity of $100k. That would be for 8 hours.

Send them the bill, they dont pay, take them to court, get a court order, take away all their possessions, throw them out on the street, and ruin their lives... Bet they wished they never called for help in the first place.

And in that vain, IF someone knew they would be billed for the cost of a rescue, would they be hesitant in asking for help that might save their life, and instead, end up loosing their life???

[rick130]

And in this case I would be looking at charging the station for the cost of rescue.

A. He was employed by the station as a jackaroo.
b. What training did he have to be on a remote propery
c. The station's duty of care to ensure the safty of it's staff

Like I said i'm not hartless just a realist

Did you read beeuteys post # 39 with this link ?

British backpacker sells outback survival story - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-17/british-backpacker-sells-outback-survival-story/4523858)

[Sparksdisco]

I look at it like when im at work.

if i get into trouble at work I will be rescued.

Then questions will be asked.

Did I identify and control the risk.

Was the controls effective

Only if I can answer these questions correctly then I might keep my job.

My job= money

no job no money.

and if i died at work then only if they could answer those questions correctly then my widdow might get entitled to a payout for my life.

[Sparksdisco]

Did you read beeuteys post # 39 with this link ?

British backpacker sells outback survival story - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-17/british-backpacker-sells-outback-survival-story/4523858)


Yes it's a great outcome that he dicided to sell his story to help pay for his rescue.

I'll get slamed for saying this but


I guess you could say it's peoples inhumanity that will help to fund the rescue

[bee utey]

I'll get slamed for saying this but


I guess you could say it's peoples inhumanity that will help to fund the rescue

Meh its very human behaviour which drives a man to test himself, and also drives another to pay for a near death rescue story. The lad has learned a lot (one hopes) the story will hopefully save some other tourist's life, and Australia sells a reputation of caring for fellow human beings. Not a bad result.

[Ferret]

When I first came over to WA the first thing I did was asked where do i pay for my RFDS subscription.

All i got was a blank look and got told it's free.

I make a donation every year now.

Yes the goverment payes for emergency services but I bet your life they could not provide the service on the govement funding alone.

I relation to the RFDS, no they don't get by on government funding. The govt funds some but they get a significant portion of operational funding from private donations.

At an RFDF fund raising function I once asked the RFDF flight operations manager why they don't get more or even full Government funding. His answer was a bit surprising but makes perfect sense. They don't want more government money - with that would come with strings and government imposed outcomes. They would rather do their own thing, and provide a great service without having to accommodate outside interference.

[cewilson]

After a lot of years working in public service (so to speak), I can totally understand their thought process. Shame to say it, but they are better off without the government funding because of the crap that would go with it...........

[MuckUte]

Fire service do not charge for attendance for a genuine event, or justified false alarm. They do have the right to charge for a second false alarm in a 30 day period, if that alarm is monitored and attendance requested. That said, I am yet to hear of anyone receiving a charge to date.




Fire service definately do charge for false alarms, working as a tradie doing home renovation work I have set off a few monitored fire alarms, even after asking the homeowners to make sure the alarm company were notified or the alarm was turned off, end result bill to home owner or builder. Police can also charge for a false callout to a hold-up alarm.

[roverrescue]

if you stagger out of a pub and get collected by a passing car, ending you in hospital and several hundred thousand dollars worth of "expenses" should you get the bill?

I think this is why we live in a country with the freedom to debate these topics and goodness to do what is right for life.

Yeah sure it is "wrong" that someone makes bad choices and humanity pays the price but please let me off the boat if we lose the heart to just do the bloody right thing and throw everything at saving a human life.


Steve

[Bushie]

Bushie...no emergency services are free.

No they are not free - but the end user doesn't usually cop any fee for the service. Obviously it varies state to state, but if your house catches fire the fire brigades don't send you a bill (at least not in NSW). Some cost recovery may be attempted for hazmat.
The last one I was associated with was $2m+ don't know how successful that recovery was though.

In NSW FRNSW can charge for hazmat and false alarms (if it is the second within 60 days).

Martyn

[superquag]

Another way to view this... False alarms and stupid people are a necessary part of Emergency/Rescue training. Nothing like the 'real thing' to sort out the cobwebs, better than simulated situations can ever do.
Or elite military such as SAS, etc... Wars are bad... - and brilliant training for them.

Volunteering for such units is also accepting the grubby thankless work as well as the Glorious Deeds... (Malaya campaign compared to Iranian Embassy rescue...)

[disco2hse]

Another way to do it. Random invoices...

New Zealand Transport Agency Bills Crash Victim... | Stuff.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8320507/NZTA-bills-crash-victim-1300)

[Bearman]

if you stagger out of a pub and get collected by a passing car, ending you in hospital and several hundred thousand dollars worth of "expenses" should you get the bill?

I think this is why we live in a country with the freedom to debate these topics and goodness to do what is right for life.

Yeah sure it is "wrong" that someone makes bad choices and humanity pays the price but please let me off the boat if we lose the heart to just do the bloody right thing and throw everything at saving a human life.


Steve

Interesting one there Steve, I remember a similar case years ago now where that did happen and the victim (through his lawyers of course) sued the publican for allowing him to get intoxicated and actually won. That is why they will now not serve any more alcohol to anyone who "appears" to be affected. Another win for the legal eagles. Too often we see people who make bad decisions blame someone else and through litigation get payouts for their own mistakes.
In this case I agree that the young fellow did a silly thing and thankfully the outcome was good and he will have learnt something from it. As said the publicity will possibly help educate some others as to the dangers our beautiful but harsh environment has to offer to anyone who does not understand this and does the wrong thing. I commend him for donating any proceeds of his story to rescue services.
As said above, I also feel that the employers of these young people with little or no understanding of our country should be held responsible unless they can prove they have a training process in place to educate anyone in their employ of the dangers and possible fatal consequences of any mistakes made in the bush. Absolute minimum requirements should be education in bush survival/first aid and training in radio procedures and all inexperienced workers should be accompanied by an older experienced person. All vehicles should be fitted with 2 way radios, dual battery setups, gps transponders,first aid kits, and carry spare water some tinned food and even an epirb plus a system where they log on/off in a register at the station with details of where they are going by what route and ETA etc, and someone at the station should monitor this. Pretty sure this comes under an employers duty of care these days. Risk assessment/jsa/slam/take 5 etc. covers this in places where most of us work and we have to be able to demonstrate and produce proof that we have done this and identified, eliminated or reduced the risks to acceptable levels so that we can do the job safely. Unfortunately there still seems to be a few professions around that don't do this and seem to get away with it. We have lost too many young people under these circumstances over the years and I feel that it is high time that a training course was made mandatory for new inexperienced recruits on stations etc.

[Tombie]

I donate a $1000.00 a year to the RFDS and touch wood - Haven't needed them :)

And honestly - I hope I never do...

[Bigbjorn]

As said above, I also feel that the employers of these young people with little or no understanding of our country should be held responsible unless they can prove they have a training process in place to educate anyone in their employ of the dangers and possible fatal consequences of any mistakes made in the bush. Absolute minimum requirements should be education in bush survival/first aid and training in radio procedures and all inexperienced workers should be accompanied by an older experienced person. All vehicles should be fitted with 2 way radios, dual battery setups, gps transponders,first aid kits, and carry spare water some tinned food and even an epirb plus a system where they log on/off in a register at the station with details of where they are going by what route and ETA etc, and someone at the station should monitor this. Pretty sure this comes under an employers duty of care these days. Risk assessment/jsa/slam/take 5 etc. covers this in places where most of us work and we have to be able to demonstrate and produce proof that we have done this and identified, eliminated or reduced the risks to acceptable levels so that we can do the job safely. Unfortunately there still seems to be a few professions around that don't do this and seem to get away with it. We have lost too many young people under these circumstances over the years and I feel that it is high time that a training course was made mandatory for new inexperienced recruits on stations etc.

Try running those requirements by any owner or manager of a remote area station. He would either laugh or be startled. Just how many staff do you think are on these places? Who is going to perform these duties? The days of stations luxuriously staffed with gardeners, cowboy, cooks, maids, storekeeper, book-keeper, jackeroos, ringers, bore and windmill man, mechanic, and so on are decades gone. As an example, Kynuna and Dagworth stations are run as one entity with eight staff based on Kynuna. Most properties around the Winton and Longreach districts are family properties and mostly there are no staff other than the family.

The boy was lost in flat scrub country with no landmarks. Experienced bushmen get lost in this.

[Sparksdisco]

Try running those requirements by any owner or manager of a remote area station. He would either laugh or be startled. Just how many staff do you think are on these places? Who is going to perform these duties? The days of stations luxuriously staffed with gardeners, cowboy, cooks, maids, storekeeper, book-keeper, jackeroos, ringers, bore and windmill man, mechanic, and so on are decades gone. As an example, Kynuna and Dagworth stations are run as one entity with eight staff based on Kynuna. Most properties around the Winton and Longreach districts are family properties and mostly there are no staff other than the family.

The boy was lost in flat scrub country with no landmarks. Experienced bushmen get lost in this.

So safety's all to hard is it?

So you have a young inexperienced overseas worker working in a unpridictable and harsh enviornment where even experienced people get into trouble.

Yet you say safety is all to hard?

[mike_ie]

I'm curious as to how many people who are advocating that the guy should pay for every cent spent in the operation, stupid bloody tourist, etc, have actually worked in the rescue services??

I spent almost a decade with Mountain Rescue before I left Europe, and I can guarantee you that the last thing on any rescuer's mind heading out on a search and rescue operation is "dumb bastard deserves it", or "I hope he has the money to cough up for all this afterwards"> The goal is simple - find the casualty, get him and your team back in one piece. No other agendas. Sure, I've seen what can only be considered as downright stupidity, and there have been plenty of times in the pub afterwards where we have thought "what the hell were they thinking???", but even then the story is told anecdotally, or is used to figure out the events leading up to said situation so that steps can be taken to not let it happen again. The people that do the bitching and the whinging are usually the ones who are sitting on their asses looking out at us.

Welcome to the first world - and the benefits of living in a first world country is that it comes with certain entitlements, healthcare, education, and emergency services, to be absorbed by everyone, for the greater good. People get hurt, people get lost, sometimes through ill preparedness, sometimes through bad luck. For all you know it could be you or one of yours next time...