Castanet

I notice in the recent poll that most people say that hiker's should pay for their own rescue.

Following this, why should healthy and fit people pay for decades of medical care for the millions of people who choose to eat fast food and never hike?

Why should millions of people who choose to eat fast food and never hike pay for the medical care of injured snowboarders, downhill skiers, hockey players, football players, baseball players, mountain bikers, rollerbladers, etc ... ?

my taxes pay for resources like this to exist. no, i do not think anyone who finds them selves lost anywhere should have to pay for the rescue efforts.

I glance at this thread title, and it looks like "Pay for Hitler's Rescue".
The time of year and all...

ford-freek wrote:my taxes pay for resources like this to exist. no, i do not think anyone who finds them selves lost anywhere should have to pay for the rescue efforts.

Ditto.

However ....

If they can afford it, it would be nice of them to make a (sizeable) donation back to S&R to show their appreciation.

Oh good, this thread again. Five minutes without this topic is too long IMO

You can always take a hike.

Just do not get lost!

But I am poor! I can't risk it!!!!

No worries the tax payers have you covered.

Oh, well, that's a relief!

Who pray tell is responsible for putting this stupid poll out every time someone gets lost in the wilderness while enjoying outdoor activities? The emergency response people and the SAR groups around the province have consistently said that charging people for their rescues is a bad idea. I guess there are a lot of armchair quarterbacks who think those people are not qualified to offer such an opinion and that they are invalid.

mark_anderson wrote: why should healthy and fit people pay for decades of medical care for the millions of people who choose to eat fast food and never hike?

If the people are unhealthy and don't exercise, chances are you won't be paying for decades of health care.

Why is this any different than patients having to pay to be transported by ambulance?

I don't think people should pay for rescue but there certainly should be fines for things like skiing in out of bounds areas. If you know you shouldn't go there then you should have to pay something.