Don't Understand Why

[Aspergers_Aspie]

I don't understand why people would walk on hills in such conditions putting themselves in potential danger, and taking up rescuers resources and time

Edinburgh walkers rescued after getting stuck on Pentland Hills due to snowdrift

 

[Au Naturel]

They just didn't pay attention to the weather. Or maybe didn't believe it would get so bad. Or overestimated their ability to hike in that kind of weather. Possibly a seriously incorrect weather report but that's not likely.

Happens all the time. People are always being rescued from the Sierras out here. Sometimes they don't survive.

 

[Judge]

Common sense eludes much of society everywhere...

 

[Gracey]

I don't understand why people would walk on hills in such conditions putting themselves in potential danger, and taking up rescuers resources and time

Edinburgh walkers rescued after getting stuck on Pentland Hills due to snowdrift

I imagine they've just learned a hard lesson on how easily disorientation happens when landmarks get covered in snow.

 

[Aspergers_Aspie]

People can wait for Summer or for good weather in Spring or Autumn

 

[Au Naturel]

You can hike safely in the winter but it is a matter of being prepared. Very many people live life with the feeling that "it isn't going to happen to me." Why do they drive without seatbelts? Why do they drink and drive? Why do they drive fast on wet pavement? Same behavior, just in a car instead of on foot.

I do a lot of hiking. (Often naked. See avatar. ) I am extremely comfortable in wilderness settings. Even so, I always think about "what if" questions before I go on a hike anywhere away from civilization. (Weather is the most important question. Incapacitating Injury is number two.) In the winter, you'd think the obviously increased risks would encourage people to think about the chance of injury or weather changing the equation but even though "you'd" think, obviously many people don't.

Staying Alive in the Wild for Long Distance Trekers | This is my place.

 

[Aspergers_Aspie]

Personally I don't agree with it in winter and I think this second story backs-up what I'm saying

Scots climber who fell 50ft off mountain saved in daring helicopter rescue

 

[WolfSpirit]

I don't understand why people would walk on hills in such conditions putting themselves in potential danger, and taking up rescuers resources and time

Edinburgh walkers rescued after getting stuck on Pentland Hills due to snowdrift

Much like that guy on the snowmobile who just about died in my province recently because he had the bright idea to go snowmobiling in record cold temperatures! With an extreme cold warning. . In a rural area no less.

Edit: By himself! It's a bit of a miracle he survived IMO!

 

[Aspergers_Aspie]

Much like that guy on the snowmobile who just about died in my province recently because he had the bright idea to go
snowmobiling in record cold temperatures! With an extreme cold warning. . In a rural area no
less.

Yes don't understand these ideas/actions, which to me don't make sense

 

[WolfSpirit]

Much of human behaviour doesn't make sense! Trying to insist that it should will only drive one crazy! I just chalk such behaviour as mentioned here under "people are stupid".

 

[Aspergers_Aspie]

I find this news story similar. Lifeboat rescuers are left frustrated. Rescuers say: "We'd much rather come to the aid of those who need us..."

Rescuers called out every day this week for stranded Cramond Island walkers

 

[Au Naturel]

I find this news story similar. Lifeboat rescuers are left frustrated. Rescuers say: "We'd much rather come to the aid of those who need us..."

Rescuers called out every day this week for stranded Cramond Island walkers

I know some volunteer search and rescue people and they live for this sort of thing. To them, it is adventure and service combined. More than a few adrenaline junkies among the extremely experienced rock climbers, backpackers, and actual cowboys.

Of course, stupid is stupid and nobody likes those rescues.

SAR is usually handled around LA by the city police/county sheriff and city/county fire department. It can get very expensive if they decide you behaved stupidly, didn't really need to be rescued, or especially if you were somewhere you shouldn't be. Helicopter time starts at $1,000/hr. Many rescues involve trespassing, stupid stunts, or people just deciding they were too tired to walk back.

Lifeguards are just a specialized version of SAR on the beach. There are also swift water rescue specialists for people caught in the LA river during a heavy rain.

OTOH, if you are lucky enough to be rescued by the Highway Patrol helicopter, there's no charge. That's what they call on in smaller counties that don't have a helicopter. According to them, the service is paid for out of vehicle registration fees.