We hear of dramatic rescues that make headlines. When the rescued person places themself and or others in danger, say ignoring safety barriers to scale a cliff, shouldn't they pay the cost of the rescue? When lifeflight is used to transport a person for emergency care, they get a bill. That bill may be paid by insurance or be the person's debt to deal with. What is the difference. Am I missing something here?
Cost of rescues, who pays?
- Thread starter Rider77
- Start date
OldFeller
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pennsylvania, USA
Jules
SF VIP
It is a good article.
That is a great article, and clearly depicts a range of situations. I'm not sure that is gives me total comfort about the question, but it really gives me a lot to think about. Thank you.
outlander
Member
- Location
- southern Arizona
We pay plenty of local and federal taxes, rescues should be covered. If a person ignores safety warnings or creates their own rescue situation because of negligence, then a citation and/or a fine might be warranted.
Dr.Colosso
Senior Member
If they have to pay 10 thousands they're financially ruined and may get mad at someone who calls for help and not call for it themselves. An ambulance drive should also be paid by everyone.
JustDave
Well-known Member
I don't live in Montana anymore, but years ago, someone, group, or agency was floating the idea of making Wilderness Areas "no rescue areas." Not meaning you had to pay the bill if you needed to be hauled out, but no rescue agency would be allowed to go in after you. It never got anywhere, and I don't think it was even debated in congress. But the idea was brought to my attention by a guy that had no use for wilderness, and wouldn't go there himself.
In my town, we had a volunteer search and rescue organization that trained together in rope climbing, river rescue, and anything other than what the local fire department did. They received donations for equipment but were unpaid.
Frankly, I could think of better places to cut the budget that ignoring the needs of someone whose life was endangered under any circumstances, even if the only way to save his life was to get him out by helicopter, or by a crew wanting to do it. For the 40 years I lived in Montana, I only recall one helicopter rescue in my national forest. There were probably more, but these things usually make the news. But we are talking about rare emergency situations. Overall not a big line item in a budget.
Saving people's lives makes for good public relations. It's good for the police, the fire department, and anyone or group willing to do it. It's good for the community, and can bring the kind of people you want in a community together.
Edit: make that two helicopter rescues that I can remember.
In my town, we had a volunteer search and rescue organization that trained together in rope climbing, river rescue, and anything other than what the local fire department did. They received donations for equipment but were unpaid.
Frankly, I could think of better places to cut the budget that ignoring the needs of someone whose life was endangered under any circumstances, even if the only way to save his life was to get him out by helicopter, or by a crew wanting to do it. For the 40 years I lived in Montana, I only recall one helicopter rescue in my national forest. There were probably more, but these things usually make the news. But we are talking about rare emergency situations. Overall not a big line item in a budget.
Saving people's lives makes for good public relations. It's good for the police, the fire department, and anyone or group willing to do it. It's good for the community, and can bring the kind of people you want in a community together.
Edit: make that two helicopter rescues that I can remember.
Tom52
Member
- Location
- The Villages, Florida
I am confused by your second sentence. Do you mean everyone should get a free ambulance ride and the cost should be covered as an expense paid thru everyone's taxes, or, do you mean everyone is responsible for the cost of their own ambulance ride? To me, what you wrote is unclear.
againstthegrain
Well-known Member
- Location
- Sun Valley, ID
Jan 17 2026- MtnExpress - "First responders from the Ketchum Fire District, Sun Valley Fire Department and Smiley Creek Rural Fire Protection District rescued an injured backcountry skier Saturday afternoon near McDonald Peak, which is roughly 3 miles southwest of Pettit Lake, with help from Sun Valley Heli Ski.
"We extricated the patient out of the country back to the highway with the Sun Valley Heli Ski assistance and then we transported the patient in a ground ambulance to St. Luke's Wood River," Ketchum Fire District Chief Seth Martin said.
Martin said he did not have information on the cause of the injury and declined to disclose information about the patient's condition.
"One thing to note is that the backcountry in Blaine County is very remote environment, and we're grateful that Sun Valley Heli Ski really expedited the process," Martin said. "
Lots of people come to recreate, and support the economy nearby. You can't very well leave them hanging in a moment of crisis, they are people and all people make mistakes or have errors in judgement.
I was directly involved w 2 rescues in my time(can't really call it a career) w the USFS. 1st was a drunk rolled his car off Galena Summit, he was doa after being flown to Boise. The other was anaphylactic shock, caused by bee stings. Victim was unprepared and her life was saved by a flight to Reno.
I carry life flight insurance. Btwn climbing trees, skiing, and motorcycle riding most of it in the middle of nowhere it's "required."
"We extricated the patient out of the country back to the highway with the Sun Valley Heli Ski assistance and then we transported the patient in a ground ambulance to St. Luke's Wood River," Ketchum Fire District Chief Seth Martin said.
Martin said he did not have information on the cause of the injury and declined to disclose information about the patient's condition.
"One thing to note is that the backcountry in Blaine County is very remote environment, and we're grateful that Sun Valley Heli Ski really expedited the process," Martin said. "
Lots of people come to recreate, and support the economy nearby. You can't very well leave them hanging in a moment of crisis, they are people and all people make mistakes or have errors in judgement.
I was directly involved w 2 rescues in my time(can't really call it a career) w the USFS. 1st was a drunk rolled his car off Galena Summit, he was doa after being flown to Boise. The other was anaphylactic shock, caused by bee stings. Victim was unprepared and her life was saved by a flight to Reno.
I carry life flight insurance. Btwn climbing trees, skiing, and motorcycle riding most of it in the middle of nowhere it's "required."
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jujube
SF VIP
I didn't read the article so I apologize if this was covered, but I know that there are some places that, in order to get a permit to climb, etc., you have to post a bond first that will cover the costs of rescuing you.
That would, to me, be a good idea. That way, only the people who want to take the chances would be out the money. You don't want to spend $50 on a bond, you don't get a permit to climb.
That would, to me, be a good idea. That way, only the people who want to take the chances would be out the money. You don't want to spend $50 on a bond, you don't get a permit to climb.
asp3
Senior Member
- Location
- Silicon Valley, CA
I'm only aware of one place where one might need a permit to climb here in the US. It's the Gunks in NY. You may need a wilderness permit in Yosemite to climb El Cap or Half Dome if you're spending the night on the climb but I'm not completely sure. Also it's the same type of permit you'd have to get to go camping in the winderness.
Dr.Colosso
Senior Member
I meant everyone should get a free ride paid by everyone's taxes.
MACKTEXAS
Well-known Member
If people are out camping, hiking, or even climbing - there are parks with hills / mountains for visitors to roam through, and resorts where people ski - - - surely they shouldn't be billed if time is spent finding them in a snow drift. They may receive a bill for search and rescue, but that doesn't seem to be the norm - not any more than for a child who wanders away from home and has to be found. People will however be billed if an ambulance transports them or medical care / hospitalization is needed.
There may be exceptions covered by state and local ordinances that come into play if a person knowingly takes extreme risks and law enforccement is out a lot of manpower and hours unnecessarily. Particularly if it was a "joke", in which case there may be criminal penalties.
There may be exceptions covered by state and local ordinances that come into play if a person knowingly takes extreme risks and law enforccement is out a lot of manpower and hours unnecessarily. Particularly if it was a "joke", in which case there may be criminal penalties.
Jules
SF VIP
Here we don’t have excess tax money to just supply rides to the hospital. As it is, the ambulance system is overworked. Some people call an ambulance for a ‘free’ ride to the hospital and are shocked when they get a bill for $75. They’re often the same ones who thinks it gets them ahead of the line. They’re triaged just like everyone else. $75 doesn’t remotely cover the cost to the system for an ambulance response.
dusty
Senior Member
When I was running resue in Virginia, search and rescue, swift water, and falls from mountians/wilderness rescue were all free. We were an all volunteer team and the best around. When the patient was transferred to an ambulance or air that's when the money kicked in.
None of the EMT's or Medics were paid with money.
I think if someone does something stupid or dangerous for whatever reason, there should be a fee to rescue them from thier problem. But for a real incident like a MVA not.
None of the EMT's or Medics were paid with money.
I think if someone does something stupid or dangerous for whatever reason, there should be a fee to rescue them from thier problem. But for a real incident like a MVA not.
Been There
Well-known Member
- Location
- Florida
In my younger years in the military, I decided to join a climbing club while stationed in California.
It was fun and I enjoyed the challenge. We never climbed any of the higher mountains like Mt. Rainier.
The more important thing was to be in very good shape and to be conditioned.
I don’t remember any of us getting into a rescue situation. I only made 3 climbs before receiving a change of assignment,
which meant being moved to another base. (PCS)
It was fun and I enjoyed the challenge. We never climbed any of the higher mountains like Mt. Rainier.
The more important thing was to be in very good shape and to be conditioned.
I don’t remember any of us getting into a rescue situation. I only made 3 climbs before receiving a change of assignment,
which meant being moved to another base. (PCS)
