Thread: Stupid Tourist Rescued....

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

... 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.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

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

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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. ??

Originally Posted by Slunnie

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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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

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

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 )

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)

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