Brighton Stormy sea 7th january 2014

Trumper, the people you describe are the reason I have two shelters and bivvy bags in my backpack when I am out. I do not want to give mine up 😮 I am pretty much prepared for anything when I am out to the point of my backpack weighing about as much as I do. As for home work, I have my maps ready for Scafell Pike 😮
Lincoln, I have done a lot of things that would be classed as extreme sports (I do not count hill walking in that) and they are covered by the insurance of the organisers. They also have trained first aiders but I would still expect the help of emergency services and hospital treatment should I need it. I agree I should pay for the use of those emergency services through taxes but I do not agree I should pay an additional amount, when somebody who breaks their leg in a Sunday league football match does not. Like I said where is the line for the `stupidity tax` ? … and my car is 100% legit at all times.

You can multiply that story many times – it beggars belief that there are so many morons out there. And do we really pay our taxes for the fire service to rescue cats in trees etc etc…? When they get hungry they’ll find a way down. And then it’s not a great jump to Trump’s examples of people ill-clad and ill-prepared for their activity.

Like the stupid woman who phoned 999, and then gave the weight of her Christmas Turkey, and asked the Operator how long should it take to cook.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

I pay extortionate council tax like everybody else, which encompasses emergency services (a large percentage) surely this is `insurance` of a kind ? .

I wonder how much LESS that contribution would be if those services were not called out so frequently on irresponsible and time wasting calls.

Beny boy.
You obviously got the wrong end of the stick here. Those that take part in extreme sports SHOULD take out Insurance. Are you one of those, “It’l never happen to me brigade” ie, no house Insurance, Contents Insurance, Car Insurance, etc, Look at all those who didn’t have Insurance when the flooding arrived on their doorstep.
If you do partake in “Taking a chance” which may involve you having to use the facilities of any rescue services, then you should pay for that service. After all, it’s a small price to pay for probably saving your life, ennit.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Beny boy ,i think the comments made are for the type of people who go hiking across countryside on a nice day wearing high heels,flip flops ,tee shirts and jeans [oh yes we see them alot] and when 3 miles from anywhere the weather takes a turn and these people are then left frozen,wet etc.
Those that are well equipped ,have done their homework and can reasonable survive a minor set back are fine and should be given assistance if they need it ,they DID at least attempt to minimise the risks involved.
Accidents will always happen,broken limbs from a slip can happen to anyone but to blatantly put everyone else at risk by not even taking basic precautions and expecting that you will be dug out the mess is just the wrong way of using the emergency services.

First of all, great pics :eagerness:

Crossing barriers, signs etc, put there for peoples safety aside for a second and going back to Lincolns mention of insurance for certain activities. I pay extortionate council tax like everybody else, which encompasses emergency services (a large percentage) surely this is `insurance` of a kind ? Should I have to pay for `walking up a hill insurance` too ? Where is the line between an accident and somebody injuring them selves avoidably ? People get run over because they walk out in front of cars. That is avoidable, should we have `crossing the road insurance` ? Putting your socks on stood up insurance ?
I see members of this forum who constantly blame H&S and the Nanny State for people not being able or wanting to do anything. People who have said in my day, when I was young, we did this that and the other, now saying, do not do anything even remotely risky or dangerous, you are irresponsible and should be left for dead.

It upset me to see people taking such risks, there was many people such as myself staying a sensible distance away.You could feel the power the waves had which is why its beyond me why anyone would take a chance.
I admire the rescue services so much especially the RNLI and wish people would respect the dangers they put them in when taking such stupid risks.

Interesting thoughts Paul, but surely part of the problem is the current obsessive blame culture which itself results in H&E being the scapegoat for no one daring to do anything. Once “authority” is given the responsibility it will back away from it for the reasons stated and you will find beach closed signs during a high tide and gentle westerlies. And so on – you can make up any number of likely situations.

I am sure the reasons for what is happening are a mixture of all those you have suggested. But the lack of acceptance or even understanding of taking responsibility has to be at the heart of it. Over the last 15 years or so we have been weaned back to “our Mother”, the state, as the one who will provide for all, care for all and hold our hand at all times. We are no longer social adults.

Treat the cause, not the symptoms?

How about charging for emergency “call-outs” in situations where warnings have been posted, whether those warnings were posted by local signage or via local or national media? The emphasis would then be on those taking the risk having to prove they have not seen/heard the warnings if they challenged the charge, but that then goes against the “innocent until proven guilty” mentality…

Rather than treat the symptoms, perhaps society needs to try to treat the cause of the risk-taking….far too many people seem unwilling to take responsibility for their own actions. Why is this?

A lack of common-sense – or a lack of understanding of the risks/dangers involved?

Maybe it’s the thrill of being exposed to danger – the adrenalin rush?

Maybe it’s in hope of capturing that dramatic image or video that will attract the media or social media users and so make them a few quid?

Perhaps they see the TV news and assume that if it’s safe for a news reporter to be there then it’s okay for everyone to be in the same place?

Perhaps if the cause was better understood then the symptoms could be reduced?

I tend to view this type of idiocy as the law of evolution at work – survival of the fittest (for “fit” read “smart”), those smart enough to avoid the danger will probably outlive those that take unaccetable levels of risk :dev2:

But it apalls me when I see emergency services etc feeling obliged to risk their own lives to save the idiotic minority, or watch TV clips of the relatives of the idiots trying to blame others for the accidents that resulted from their relatives’ blatant stupidity.

How big does a fish have to be to be worth your life?

Just a thought – maybe they were fishing for something to eat!

Hopefully they stayed safe – Happy New Year!

I can indeed, and I am conscious of it every time we read of another multi-service rescue, but unless our system is changed it sadly won’t make any difference, insured or not. Good to see the French have the right approach!!:D

My point is Chas, Can you even begin to imagine the cost of a full search and rescue by the RNLI,?, fuel, lost equipment, washed overboard etc, the clothing these men have to wear, ie, Life Preservers,the list can be endless.It is run by public donations. I think France, and it’s Sea Rescue Service does indeed have to be paid for by those they have rescued.
It’s the cost that these services have to foot themselves that is the point.Now just imagine what the cost would be if the R.A.F. had to join in a full air sea, search, which can last for days, see where I am coming from now?.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

I think I agree, Linc, although I’m not sure of your point. But even assuming that the individuals are compulsorily covered it does not ease the burdens on the rescue services, both volunteer and professional, does it? You cannot insure against stupidity.

For those who go Mountain climbing, Potholing,sailing, etc, and where there is a possibility that one day they may need these rescue services, which are in the main, volunteers, I would suggest, that Insurance for said sports be made compulsery. At the end of the day, these rescuers,put their own lives on the line also.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Unfortunatley, Trump, the rescue services are called out many times every year to save people from their stupidity – on land and at sea. There is no line drawn between someone in peril who has taken all due precautions and one who has not. No value judgements are made when 999 is dialled.

What irks me is that in the event that their foolhardiness plunges them into the sea numbers of the various rescue and emergency services will be called on to try to save them. As we have already seen elsewhere in recent weeks.

Terrific photos by the way:eagerness: – thanks for posting.

There should be signs put up saying you have been warned the emergency services will NOT be called through you’re own stupidity.
Those photos bring home the power of nature and you don’t need to get that close in this day and age with high powered lenses and cropping available.
Lovely photos.

What irks me is that in the event that their foolhardiness plunges them into the sea numbers of the various rescue and emergency services will be called on to try to save them. As we have already seen elsewhere in recent weeks.

Terrific photos by the way:eagerness: – thanks for posting.

How big does a fish have to be to be worth your life?

i see the remains of the west pier are still hanging on in there.. for now!