jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've had this on my mind for a while, and an article from NH pushed me to post this.

Some people like to climb mountains, explore caves, and swim through flooded caves. Then they run into trouble and call for help. Up to a hundred rescuers spend several days trying to help them, with some of the rescuers dying as a result. I realize we are free to explore wherever we want, but isn't there a limit to what we can expect others to do when we run into a problem. Yes, I know that many of the rescuers are volunteers, but a volunteer who rushes from his house and never returns might regret his decision. At least his wife and kids would regret it.

If you are climbing mountains thousands of feet high with blizzard conditions, you know you are putting your life at risk. How can you expect dozens of other people to risk their lives to save you? The same goes for exploring caves and cave diving. Those activities are incredibly dangerous, and the people know that going in. In many cave diving locations, there are signs with pictures of the Grim Reaper warning divers to go no farther, yet they continue, get stuck, and die. Then volunteers have to go where no one should be going to recover the body.

What prompted me to finally post this is an article in Today's Boston Globe. The state of NH has limited resources to rescue hikers who run into problems.

...hikers venturing into the mountains with minimal precautions, especially during the pandemic, when a surge of novices had embraced the outdoors with little appreciation for its dangers. It had strained the capacity of rescuers, a hardy band of government employees and volunteers, and placed them in precarious situations time and again.

...prompting New Hampshire officials to take a defiant stand against irresponsible hiking that has rippled through the mountaineering world from the Cascades to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The sign below is located in caves throughout the world, warning divers to go no farther.

pumakat

You are right.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Whew! Thanks. I'm sure there will be other opinions.

WesIam Loc: Phoenixville, Pa

I agree!!!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

More: After rescuing stupid hikers in a ridiculous location on a mountain in NH - The hikers offered little explanation and no apology for their misadventure, and the hiker rescued at the top quickly asked for an attorney. When Kneeland told Jordan about the ordeal, Jordan made a decision on the spot. For the first time in his 30 years with the agency, officials were going to charge the men criminally for placing “another in danger of serious bodily injury.”

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

I went cave diving ONCE with instructors - decided it was not for me - I prefer the open waters where I have clear visibility...

pendennis

There's a cable show, "Northwoods Law", and the rangers in that series, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, are shown on rescue missions to save folks from themselves, and their stupidity. I'm amazed that these nimrods ignore weather forecasts, and trail signs just to "get back to nature"; they invariably "get back to hospital".

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Oh Jerry! My full time job is a pharmacist. I have more than my share of stories to hand out.

In my spare time, I throw a camera bag around my shoulder and search for something interesting.

For some unconventional hobbies, I have airplane flying and SCUBA diving.
Under no circumstances do I go alone. It is rewarding to have a more experienced partner with you.
I don’t think I’ll pilot a Commercial plane or a MiG Jet or go cave diving anytime soon.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

My son climbing in Yosemite national Park

Red6

Several years ago I read some articles about this very issue. Local authorities were talking of requiring extreme sports enthusiasts to purchase a bond or insurance that would cover the costs of any rescue that may be required.
The article stated the rescues of climbers, hikers, and campers often ran into thousands of dollars of manpower and equipment costs while straining the budgets of the local authorities.

The proposal would be much like a fishing license. Those caught participating in these activities without the proper insurance coverage would be subject to fines.

I have not read if these ideas were ever implemented. I think it is a good idea.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

They should be implemented!!! I have thought about this for years.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Agree Jerry
I have thought about this for years.

edwdickinson Loc: Ardmore PA

I don't know, sounds like a challenge to me.

twowindsbear

Yep. A former boss died diving a fresh water spring/cave in Florida. Wanna read about it? Google Jim Woodall scuba accident.

St.Mary's

Roger, my thoughts also. People that pursue dangerous hobbies, like skydiving and the parachute doesn't open. It is sad that they die, but that is their choice for an activity. Or, like a thug committing a crime and he is caught by law enforcement and is killed. Accidentally or otherwise. Thug put himself/herself in the situation.