‘Yuppie 911′ revisited: Is fining the transgressors a good idea?
News and notes from the Great Wide Open…
You might remember a post I made early last week about “Yuppie 911.” This is a growing problem where people use personal emergency beacons, like SPOT locators and avalanche beacons, to get themselves out of uncomfortable (but not emergency) situations or take on adventures beyond their abilities.
One incident profiled in the story I posted reported a group of hikers in the Grand Canyon pushed the button on their beacon three times in a relatively short period of time because they thought they were lost; they thought they would run out of water; and they thought the water they later filtered “tasted salty.” Each time they used their device, search and rescue teams — both on the ground and in a helicopter — responded at great risk to themselves and expense to their organizations.
Definitely an abuse of the system. But these hikers should be glad the Grand Canyon isn’t in New Hampshire.
According to an Associated Press story I read on the Aspen Times Web site, New Hampshire authorities will bill you for the cost of search and rescue, even if you truly were in a pinch.
One guy there sprained an ankle and was out on is own in the cold for three days. He did everything he could to self-rescue, and was even praised for his resourcefulness by rescue authorities who went looking for him. And then the state handed him a bill for the cost of his rescue: $25,734.65.
New Hampshire is one of eight states that have laws allowing for the billing of rescue costs, the AP reported. But it would appear New Hampshire is the only one that’s pretty serious about enforcing it.
On the surface, it seems like it might not be a bad idea. People who do really stupid things and get themselves into trouble or, in the Grand Canyon hiker case, those who needlessly call on rescue services, should have some consequence to their behavior, right?
Not so fast, some say. The same AP story said there is one constituency that is opposed to policies like New Hampshire’s: the rescue personnel.
Their take? If people go into the backcountry knowing they’ll be billed for rescue services, they’ll be hesitant to call for help when they really need it. Or they’ll just avoid states with such policies altogether.
I’d hate to think someone would hesitate to call for help in the event of a crisis because they feared getting billed thousands of dollars. Creating such indecision in unforgiving places where indecision can kill just doesn’t sound like a good idea. But then again, what do we do about Yuppie 911 cases?
Food for thought, folks. Wouldn’t mind hearing some opinions on that one.
Bob Doucette
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Comments
But who would have that discretion?
If rescuers had it, it’d be one thing. I’d trust them to determine that. But if it’s a judge or a councilman who may not have that expertise or someone who may decide it can be a money-saving issue to charge everyone, then I don’t think so.
I do agree with the notion that if you press that button, you will be removed.
Ned: The eight states that have laws to allow fees for search and rescue costs are New Hampshire, Hawaii, Oregon, Maine, California, Vermost, Colorado and Idaho, according to the AP story cited here. From what the story says, New Hampshire is the only one that makes any real attempt to seek and recover those fees.
Aaron: There is one small side issue that would make “push the button and you’re out” a little more complicated. There have also been some documented cases where the button is accidentally pushed, like when something shifts in your pack and hits it. But those are pretty rare. Anyway, more grist for the mill.
Good posts, guys.
I have heard thru the grapevine that some states have free SAR, Providing the person has a fishing and/or hunting licence for that state.
Other than the grapeview, I have not seen that anywhere in print. Does anyone know if that is true or is a myth ??
Bill: In Colorado, SAR is free. In other words, you won’t be billed if you need rescue from SAR. But you can buy a one-year SAR card for $3 that helps fund local search and rescue, or buy a five-year card for $10 (I think). Money well spent, IMO. In case of heli-rescue, the local National Guard will do it and chalk it up as a training exercise. However, things like medical helicopter transport are billable to you. In the latter two cases, these are entities different from SAR. Not sure what the procedure is for Oklahoma.
Policy: If you hit that button you WILL be removed, and IF your situation is not an emergency you WILL be charged. Hitting that button should be a hike-ending move that is potentially expensive if your situation isn’t truly serious. Just like the discretion a judge has in a court of law the rescue services should be able to, at their own discretion, charge for their services. Your example hikers should have been hauled out the first time and charged for it. There are all sorts of serious consequences for non-emergency 911 calls and similar rules should apply here.
And…Thanks for the tip, no more hiking in New Hampshire for me!
What are the other 7 states that charge?