Outdoor Adventure USA

I’ll bring up an issue I see, but maybe others can correct me on this if it's not an issue.

Is there a charge for a rescue? Is this a realistic cost for tax payers to support backcountry travelers?

I’m thinking if a person was to stop carrying or not buying to begin with the entire vehicle repair gear, which would lighten a truck 100s of lbs, and help increase MPG. Just the cost of a winch and needed winch gear would cover the cost of that ‘Spot’ device for 10+ years. The other locator beacons and Satellite phones could have more or less savings depending on need.

I know (from internet searching) some states have a $500 charge “when "reasonable care" was not used and when "applicable laws were violated." during a rescue. But a rescue can exceed $500 very fast, and this could hurt already reduced budgets of land management agencies.

I know the rig-a-ma-roll about responsible exploring, but when I think of all the good work that gets un-done by one un-responsible person and is used against everyone by controlist waving the ‘environmental banner’ I shudder.

Anyone think this might be a upcoming future issue. I hope I’m wrong but I can see this becoming one more point to close areas/roads to access.

This was posted on another site and got some interesting feed-back, and the few people I know around here, land-use issues are a concern, I thought it might be nice to see what the people here feel.

I know there are many ‘real, right-now’ land issues to deal with. But as a group we can sometimes be reactive vs proactive to land issues. I bring this up as get an active approach to a possible issue.

Later guys and have a good weekend.

$500.00 would be cheap . If you have to medivac out by chopper that is a bill of several several thousand dollars and I havent heard of an insurance co. yet that foots that bill. I used to have a 4x4 tow truck and if I got a call to go get someone it was not a "tow" it was a "recovery" going rate at the time was a min. $500.00 obviously in a life and death situation no one is going to care how much the rescue is going to cost they just want help. But that I why is try and be as careful as possible. A broken leg can kill you.

For northern California you can buy Helecopter insurance - if for example you are doing the Rubicon Trail. It is sold by http://www.calstar.org . If you want to contact them the number is 916-921-4000. Cost is about $45 per person per year.

Here in Los Angeles County the cost for air ambulance rescue is codified in the Los Angeles County Code.

2.34.140 Fees--Sheriff helicopter emergency air ambulance services.

For helicopter emergency air ambulance services provided by the department, the sheriff shall charge and collect a transportation fee in the amount of $1,380.00 per flight. If more than one patient is transported by a department helicopter during the same flight, this fee shall be divided and charged in equal amounts to all of the patients transported. (Ord. 92-0091 § 2, 1992.)

$1380.00, but you can split the trip with a buddy or two! Air 5 can carry a pretty good load.

hmfigueroa wrote:Here in Los Angeles County the cost for air ambulance rescue is codified in the Los Angeles County Code.

2.34.140 Fees--Sheriff helicopter emergency air ambulance services.

For helicopter emergency air ambulance services provided by the department, the sheriff shall charge and collect a transportation fee in the amount of $1,380.00 per flight. If more than one patient is transported by a department helicopter during the same flight, this fee shall be divided and charged in equal amounts to all of the patients transported. (Ord. 92-0091 § 2, 1992.)

$1380.00, but you can split the trip with a buddy or two! Air 5 can carry a pretty good load.

Can that include a side trip out to our favorite camp site in the desert?

If you but the SPOT and the full service for it, it comes with insurance that covers any type of medivac.

~$150.00 for the SPOT unit + ~$150.00 for the full service package = ~$300.00 of ability that is well wort it and you're covered.

You can't touch that one with APRS...

And the SPOT is on sale all over for only $99 right now (service not included)

cruiserlarry wrote:And the SPOT is on sale all over for only $99 right now (service not included)

Some places are offering the full service package for the cost of the basic package for the first year right now too.

Wow about 7 months before the 1st reply, guess I can cut may once a month visits here to every few months.

I got the Spot when they had the free offer. I carry it, but leave it off for most of my trips. I was out for one last visit to Goldstone, CA and got the bonus of a small visit with base police and a personal escort.

I did find a neat little 4 wheel drive trailer out on Superior Dry Lake. Any of you Mil Spec. guys know what this is called/named?

BTW there should be a story about the outfit that installs ‘Bat Covers’ on mine opening tonight (1-13-09) on Dirty Jobs. I met the guy that owns the outfit and he has installed many across the Mojave, but he works all over the counrty.

Here’s a story about some people using there PLB as a ‘room service’ button.

http://www.mydesert.com/article/2009102 ... Yuppie+911+

Some may have seen this already, it’s making it way around the net