Big local debate - your thoughts
Nobama
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,961
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From: Sarasota, Florida
Thank you!
I wear a seat belt in a car, wear a helmet when on a bike. and i would wear a GPS location device if i were to climb.
I'm just saying that it's my choice. The government should have no control over any of it, at all.
Last edited by BetterBob; Dec 17, 2009 at 07:34 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,869
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From: OR
Portland Mountain Rescue's stance
PMR foresees three potential and unfortunate outcomes if House Bill 2509 were to pass:
1. Devalues safety education – By providing climbers with a false sense of security we have devalued the motivation to develop the proper safe traveling skills and planning for unexpected situations, thus leading to more rescues.
2. More danger for rescuers - It will place volunteer rescuers in more danger by fostering an unrealistic expectation that carrying government-mandated equipment entitles climbers to rescue regardless of unsafe conditions.
3. Delayed rescue calls – Search and rescue experts indicate that if penalties exist for stranded or injured climbers, who do not carry an MLU/PLB, they often delay calling. This results in further danger for the stranded or injured party and the rescuers alike.
they arent against these devices, they are against idiots using them as their only means of survival
they are supposed to be used in extreme situations, where weather moves in unexpectedly, someone gets injured, etc...
not when a soccer mom gets lost in the woods or a guy needs to take a shit and cant make it back to the car for his tp
people are idiots though, im not sure which way would lead to more people getting lost, but im sure we will go that direction somehow
im all for these things, combined with a gps they are pretty damn badass tools for the backcountry, wish i had one
PMR foresees three potential and unfortunate outcomes if House Bill 2509 were to pass:
1. Devalues safety education – By providing climbers with a false sense of security we have devalued the motivation to develop the proper safe traveling skills and planning for unexpected situations, thus leading to more rescues.
2. More danger for rescuers - It will place volunteer rescuers in more danger by fostering an unrealistic expectation that carrying government-mandated equipment entitles climbers to rescue regardless of unsafe conditions.
3. Delayed rescue calls – Search and rescue experts indicate that if penalties exist for stranded or injured climbers, who do not carry an MLU/PLB, they often delay calling. This results in further danger for the stranded or injured party and the rescuers alike.
they arent against these devices, they are against idiots using them as their only means of survival
they are supposed to be used in extreme situations, where weather moves in unexpectedly, someone gets injured, etc...
not when a soccer mom gets lost in the woods or a guy needs to take a shit and cant make it back to the car for his tp
people are idiots though, im not sure which way would lead to more people getting lost, but im sure we will go that direction somehow
im all for these things, combined with a gps they are pretty damn badass tools for the backcountry, wish i had one
x pǝɹ
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,246
Likes: 1
From: Upstate
Condoms are a mutual decision for all directly involved parties, that example does not work. We aren't talking about societal consequences but primary only. Not wearing a seatbelt can harm those that do wear seatbelts, including those individuals in other cars.
But I do think that marijuana should be legal (but regulated), and unless there's driving involved it really only harms the individual. On a similar note, I agree with smoking bans in the same manner I agree with seatbelt laws.
And thus by the same token I think that the beacon should be the users responsibilty.
But I do think that marijuana should be legal (but regulated), and unless there's driving involved it really only harms the individual. On a similar note, I agree with smoking bans in the same manner I agree with seatbelt laws.
And thus by the same token I think that the beacon should be the users responsibilty.
Last edited by Red X; Dec 17, 2009 at 07:51 PM.
I go duffy on dem bitches
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 28,248
Likes: 0
From: Gonzales, Louisiana
Recently, a few mountain climbers went missing on Mt. Hood. They were not wearing locator beacons which generally help find missing hikers in the event of a storm/avalanche/etc. These beacons are issued by the local recreation authority in the area (in this case: Timberline Lodge). They are fairly cheap to rent and don't weight much (a pound or two at the most).
A sort of debate has risen because law makers are looking to make it a requirement that hikers wear these beacons when they go snow hiking/mountain climbing. From what I gather, many of the hikers are ademently opposed to these beacons. The only argument I've heard in support of this is that it's their choice and that these locator beacons are for amatuers with no skills and that wearing these beacons would make them look incompetent.
The recent search for these hikers a cost significant amount of taxpayer money, and could possibly have been minimized or avoided by having these beacons.
John, I'm sure you've heard about this, what are your thoughts. Anyone else have thoughts?
A sort of debate has risen because law makers are looking to make it a requirement that hikers wear these beacons when they go snow hiking/mountain climbing. From what I gather, many of the hikers are ademently opposed to these beacons. The only argument I've heard in support of this is that it's their choice and that these locator beacons are for amatuers with no skills and that wearing these beacons would make them look incompetent.
The recent search for these hikers a cost significant amount of taxpayer money, and could possibly have been minimized or avoided by having these beacons.
John, I'm sure you've heard about this, what are your thoughts. Anyone else have thoughts?
Then the other part of me says they should because, when they go missing, it's our (your) tax dollars that are paying for the SAR crew to go out and find them.
Honestly I'm torn. This world has become too pussified to say "if you don't rent one, fuck you, you're SOL" so you can't really go that route.
BAZINGA!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,613
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From: San Diego, CA
It does make me wonder though if people will use them just because they want an easy pick up. It's like my brother-in-law who is a paramedic says that up to like 70% of emergency calls are people who use the ambulance as a taxi to get to the hospital to get their prescriptions, or other means.
it's my D in a B
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 24,787
Likes: 1
From: Your Mom's House
The beacons can only be traced with other beacons or scanning devices that typically work in a short range. You can also turn it on or off. I don't think there's any way they could (currently) be used to monitor where everyone with one happens to be.