Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 16:32
Whyalla,
",,,,,,,,,So the
HF radio isn't for someone else to come help you?,,,,,,,,"
Well strangely enough - yes, IF "the absolute worst, all else fails" scenario happens. But IF that did happen - say something like a catastrophic engine failure in the middle of the Great Sandy, then the only thing that VKS 737 would/could do for me is arrange to send a flat bed/ tilt tray truck at one hell of a dollar cost.
It's unlikely I'd be out of water or food as I carry about 3 times more than I need for any given terrain or distance. I've been "around
the block a few times" in the last 30 years. So, I'd be prepared for a long wait before anyone got me out of a crisis such as a total mechanical failure. If a life was at stake, it's a different ball game. I'd want "out" for whoever was dying or injured - NOW!
That's the difference between a crisis and a full blown emergency.
If it was just a mechanical failure and life was not in danger, I'd expect a bill - a big one!. However, if a life was at stake I wouldn't expect a bill - but being an Australian citizen and not a tourist, I'd prolly receive one!
To answer your question, ",,,,How about the Australian Canyoners a few years ago? Who paid that bill? ,,,"
I don't know, you're telling that story not me,,,,,,,
There's a world of difference between the Canyoners demise and the problems of tourists bogged 5km off the main road.
Mind you, you may have a point - they could have been picked up by some murderous nutter that seems to frequent Australian back roads these days. That's not a flippant comment either.
As for,,,,,,"Again in the Swiss alps if you were stuck and night was approaching you'd be hitting the epirb button too.,"
I doubt it. I'd be having a look around and weighing things up first. Appraising the situation. Questions such as, "Is life really endangered here, right now, will we freeze to death, in the next few hours or days, can I get out in the morning" etc, etc. - all these spring to mind.
Having said all that, I've had a lot of personal and work experience in Risk Analysis and Total Loss Control, so I suppose I do have an advantage in knowing "how not to panic".
The problem with sounding the alarm bells too soon and too often is that eventually the emergency system that supports those alarm bells becomes complacent and then doesn't respond adequately when it really should.
Bilbo
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