Rescue Me

[halhiker]

Hikers in Grand Canyon National Park activated their SPOT tracking device three times on a hike when they should a) figured out a solution to their problem on their own , b) chosen their destination more wisely or, c) never gone in the first place.

This story from the NPS morning report for October 21

http://home.nps.gov/applications/mornin ... ortold.cfm


Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Hikers Evacuated After Three SPOT Activations In Three Days

On the evening of September 23rd, rangers began a search for hikers who repeatedly activated their rented SPOT satellite tracking device. The GEOS Emergency Response Center in Houston reported that someone in the group of four hikers – two men and their two teenaged sons – had pressed the “help” button on their SPOT unit. The coordinates for the signal placed the group in a remote section of the park, most likely on the challenging Royal Arch loop. Due to darkness and the remoteness of the location, rangers were unable to reach them via helicopter until the following morning. When found, they’d moved about a mile and a half to a water source. They declined rescue, as they’d activated the device due to their lack of water. Later that same evening, the same SPOT device was again activated, this time using the “911” button. Coordinates placed them less than a quarter mile from the spot where searchers had found them that morning. Once again, nightfall prevented a response by park helicopter, so an Arizona DPS helicopter whose crew utilized night vision goggles was brought in. They found that the members of the group were concerned about possible dehydration because the water they’d found tasted salty, but no actual emergency existed. The helicopter crew declined their request for a night evacuation, but provided them with water before departing. On the following morning, another SPOT “help” activation came in from the group. This time they were flown out by park helicopter. All four refused medical assessment or treatment. The group’s leader had reportedly hiked once at the Grand Canyon; the other adult had no Grand Canyon and very little backpacking experience. When asked what they would have done without the SPOT device, the leader stated, “We would have never attempted this hike.” The group leader was issued a citation for creating a hazardous condition (36 CFR 2.34(a)(4)). [Submitted by Brandon Torres, Canyon District Shift Supervisor]

I have a convoluted view of rescue. Personally, I think people should be responsible for their own actions and rescues should be few and only when death is imminent or a severe injury exists. I also think rescues should be free and that charging for rescuing people who really need it is un-American. I also think there should be some areas that are designated as non-rescue zones. You go there knowing full well a rescue is not coming. You are on your own. People need to be responsible.

That's the problem I have with the prevalence of electronic devices like the SPOT or cell phones in the backcountry. People use them as a substitute for wilderness skills and expect others to come to their rescue. People like this crying WOLF all the time is going to make it more difficult on this unfortunate people who really do need to be rescued. If ever there were a case that I would think charging someone for a rescue were appropriate, this is it.

[drndr]

The "rescue" subject is always tricky. I believe in personal responsibility. I don't like the govt telling me I cant hike somewhere. I also don't expect them to rescue me. If i got in trouble in a remote area, I would call for help. I wouldn't be surprised to have to pay for it afterwards if they went out of their general tax paying duties. And a donation to a volunteer group would be a must. All sorts of opinions on this one though.

Dan

[Rumpled]

I believe in personal responsibility and that I can hurt myself if I want to.

That said, I'm glad there are rescue groups; though I have yet to have need of them.

I'm also against charging for rescues, though I think Colorado and Washington have some kind of insurance plans (included in Fishing and Hunting licenses or only about $10 a year?) that help reimburse rescue agencies.

New technology is like any other tool, except it has a longer reach. I think SPOT is good, but was not well thought out. They went from an EPIRB model (mostly boating) where everyone is well aware of what pushing the button means. SPOT mass marketed this and there have been problems.

If the newer models will allow a type of text message to be input by the user in the field, rescue efforts will be wasted less.

But, there will always be idiots out there.

[Zé]

I believe in, if you activate a device once signaling for a rescue, and they come, you automatically have to go with them.

Problem solved?

[Rick Kent]

These rescue devices take all the fun out of hiking in remote places. It's always way more interesting in a trip report to say you had to saw off a limb and crawl 30 miles in a blizzard to save yourself. Even better if in your delerium you end up sawing off the wrong limb.

[magikwalt]

Hi. My name is Walt and I carry a SPOT. Sounds like the 12 stepper script but its true.

I enjoy hiking alone and sometimes go long or completely bushwacking hikes. Currently working on my third route to Long Valley from the Palm Springs area. Just in case Skyline gets closed there are other ways up but they lack the nice blind man trail.

Anyway back to the SPOT. I carry it because I know that bad things can happen to very prepared, very fit, very knowledgeable people. In that case I may need to activate it. Don't penalize me because the moron in the Grand Canyon cried wolf. My profile on the SPOT site says I am fit, prepared, knowledgeable and not prone to pushing the 911 button because its dark and I am cold. My biggest worry is being hit by a rattler or losing my mobility.

My Help button which sends a text or email to people I select says I need you to come towards me with basics such as fluids. It also says that if you are receiving this message I need you to come and not to call 911 and report an emergency since if that was what it was I would have hit the 911 button.

I like Ze's idea. If you called us when we get there you are out of here.

I also think the company renting the units bears some responsibility for the ultimate user's abuse.

[Hikin_Jim]

Hikers in Grand Canyon National Park activated their SPOT tracking device three times on a hike when they should a) figured out a solution to their problem on their own , b) chosen their destination more wisely or, c) never gone in the first place.

This story from the NPS morning report for October 21

http://home.nps.gov/applications/mornin ... ortold.cfm


Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Hikers Evacuated After Three SPOT Activations In Three Days

On the evening of September 23rd, rangers began a search for hikers who repeatedly activated their rented SPOT satellite tracking device. The GEOS Emergency Response Center in Houston reported that someone in the group of four hikers – two men and their two teenaged sons – had pressed the “help” button on their SPOT unit. The coordinates for the signal placed the group in a remote section of the park, most likely on the challenging Royal Arch loop. Due to darkness and the remoteness of the location, rangers were unable to reach them via helicopter until the following morning. When found, they’d moved about a mile and a half to a water source. They declined rescue, as they’d activated the device due to their lack of water. Later that same evening, the same SPOT device was again activated, this time using the “911” button. Coordinates placed them less than a quarter mile from the spot where searchers had found them that morning. Once again, nightfall prevented a response by park helicopter, so an Arizona DPS helicopter whose crew utilized night vision goggles was brought in. They found that the members of the group were concerned about possible dehydration because the water they’d found tasted salty, but no actual emergency existed. The helicopter crew declined their request for a night evacuation, but provided them with water before departing. On the following morning, another SPOT “help” activation came in from the group. This time they were flown out by park helicopter. All four refused medical assessment or treatment. The group’s leader had reportedly hiked once at the Grand Canyon; the other adult had no Grand Canyon and very little backpacking experience. When asked what they would have done without the SPOT device, the leader stated, “We would have never attempted this hike.” The group leader was issued a citation for creating a hazardous condition (36 CFR 2.34(a)(4)). [Submitted by Brandon Torres, Canyon District Shift Supervisor]

I have a convoluted view of rescue. Personally, I think people should be responsible for their own actions and rescues should be few and only when death is imminent or a severe injury exists. I also think rescues should be free and that charging for rescuing people who really need it is un-American. I also think there should be some areas that are designated as non-rescue zones. You go there knowing full well a rescue is not coming. You are on your own. People need to be responsible.

That's the problem I have with the prevalence of electronic devices like the SPOT or cell phones in the backcountry. People use them as a substitute for wilderness skills and expect others to come to their rescue. People like this crying WOLF all the time is going to make it more difficult on this unfortunate people who really do need to be rescued. If ever there were a case that I would think charging someone for a rescue were appropriate, this is it.

Frickin' morons! They absolutely should be fined. This is a clear cut case unlike that Boy Scout out on the east coast where it wasn't nearly so clear cut.

These guys should be given a GPS tracking ankle bracelet and forbidden from going hiking in the United States. Frickin' morons.

[bluerail]

we used to have a dog named spot.

[Pup]

we used to have a dog named spot.

Uh oh...you said dog