Dangerous Hobbies (Page 2): Right along the line of Southern boys sticking their bare hands in an underwater opening trying to catch catfish. 'till one got sucked in, and the 'art'...

mindzye Loc: WV

Right along the line of Southern boys sticking their bare hands in an underwater opening trying to catch catfish.
'till one got sucked in, and the 'art' seemed to lost some of it's steam

Just goes to show the heights - or depths of what some do for entertainment and an adrenaline rush.
Fortunately through all the stuff I did as a youngster I'm still here - I think finally my survival gene has kicked in

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Yes, New Hampshire has a law allowing State rescue agencies to pass the cost of a rescue on to the fools who think hiking the summits of the White Mountains (especially Mt. Washington) is something that can be safely done in shorts and flip flops. Rescues are not only hugely expensive, they put the lives of rescuers at risk since rescues are often done in the dark under adverse weather conditions.

I have a friend who is a "cave rated" scuba diver. It takes years of training and practice and combines three petrifying fears; drowning, getting hopelessly lost and claustrophobia, into one great experience. I've questioned his sanity when he says he does it "for fun."

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

mindzye wrote:

Right along the line of Southern boys sticking their bare hands in an underwater opening trying to catch catfish.
'till one got sucked in, and the 'art' seemed to lost some of it's steam

Just goes to show the heights - or depths of what some do for entertainment and an adrenaline rush.
Fortunately through all the stuff I did as a youngster I'm still here - I think finally my survival gene has kicked in

Looks like you and some others have missed the point of the OP
The point is who should pay for the rescues? , with their lives and tax dollars. And at what point would an activity be considered HIGH RISK?

Don W-37 Loc: Bangkok, Thailand

You are absolutely correct, Jerry. It happens all over the world. It happened here in Thailand when a teacher took his 12 students into a cave just a few days before the rainy season. But rain it did! Tropical downpour so heavy a flash flood inundated the cave before they could get out. It took 9 days for rescuers find and another 8 days to get them out a a cost of one divers life and millions of dollars in expenses. Rescuers came from all over the world and over 10,000 people were involved. All because of one irresponsible teacher!

St.Mary's

mindzye -- That's called "noodling". Personally, my religion does not allow me to noodle, but in general it does not allow me to do a lot of things. Another example is climbing communication towers.

Stephan G

jerryc41 wrote:

I've had this on my mind for a while, and an artic... (show quote)

Then we have those weathermen who believe that they are immune to the vagaries of Hurricanes, especially the amateurs. We will forgo adding some of those who, having the opportunity, refuse to leave the forecasted hurricane landing locations.

I am reminded of that cartoon depicting the bomb-dud testers.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great post, Jerry, stupid people do stupid things.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

If they were billed for the cost of their rescue, some would have second tough before venturing out in minimal condition

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Russian Roulette has proven to be a dangerous hobby as well.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

sippyjug104 wrote:

Russian Roulette has proven to be a dangerous hobby as well.

But it cures the stupidity!!

Canisdirus

The best rule is the one we utilize today.

Anyone who needs or asks for help gets it...and society is willing to shoulder that burden if necessary.

Once you begin to make 'rules' on who is helped...it all goes south.

Nantahalan Loc: Savannah originally; western NC now

Next thing you know, a cancer/heart insurance fee will be proposed for cigarettes.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Canisdirus wrote:

The best rule is the one we utilize today.

Anyone who needs or asks for help gets it...and society is willing to shoulder that burden if necessary.

Once you begin to make 'rules' on who is helped...it all goes south.

Agreed!!! Now we are talking about nothing but a piece of paper backed by nothing compared to a life who may have children at home just like the volunteer rescuers. Who decides what is dangerous? Driving a car is the most dangerous thing most people ever do but we are actually expected to do it. I personally have stayed thru a hurricane. Maybe the difference is I NEVER expect help. I will never call for help if lost unless my wife or children are with me. My opinion means as much as everyone else's. NOTHING. lol. But I think if you take the money out of the equation humanity is what matters.

pendennis

Stephan G wrote:

Then we have those weathermen who believe that they are immune to the vagaries of Hurricanes, especially the amateurs. We will forgo adding some of those who, having the opportunity, refuse to leave the forecasted hurricane landing locations.

I am reminded of that cartoon depicting the bomb-dud testers.

Reminds me of a lark about 51 years ago. Hurricane Camille rampaged the Gulf Coast of the U.S. in August 1969. It then ran across Alabama and Georgia before revitalizing itself over the Atlantic. She then headed northward, toward the New England coast. I was stationed at the Davisville Rhode Island Seabee base. The base commander ordered all preparations for storm survival, just in case Camille hit the Narragansett area. We prepped our Quonset huts as best as possible, which included masking all windows, etc. Our sister base, Quonset Point NAS, dispersed all aircraft, and even send some small ships away.

On the day the hurricane was to come near the coast, the base commander ordered all hands off duty, and to seek shelter. Luckily, four of my buds and I decided to buy a couple of cases of beer and seek shelter at the Coast Guard station at Point Judith. We sat outside the lighthouse, and watched Camille pass off-shore, seaward of Block Island.

Just goes to show that at age 22, we were positive that we were invincible.

PS - About six months later, my unit was sent to the Seabee base at Gulfport, MS. We got a first-hand look at the devastation. Besides the buildings/homes that were destroyed, there were at least a half-dozen tug boats blown more than 200 yards inland, across U.S. 90.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

jerryc41 wrote:

I've had this on my mind for a while, and an artic... (show quote)

People engaging in high risk activities on public properties for personal pleasure should have to post a bond or have insurance to cover the expense of their rescues, If not they should have to pay the cost of their rescue.
One instance: I have noticed disclaimers post on trails that The trail can be slick when wet ( geez no kidding) if you take that trail and get hurt you are responsible for your medical care, why not your rescue? It might make people think before deciding to go off the trail ( high risk). However I doubt it !!