Comments on: Fees for Search and Rescue? New Hampshire Wants to Make it Law

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:56:18 +0000

I agree with Matt, I also live in NH and have participated in several rescues in Baxter State Park and can attest that most of the people being rescued were ill prepared. Charging for SAR is this is a slippery slope because it’s a reactionary solution and won’t necessarily decrease the number of rescues. No matter who pays the bill rescuers are still putting their life on the line to get you out. There needs to be a proactive solution to better educate visitors to our parks of the risk & consequences involved in these activities.

By: Howard

Howard — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:09:32 +0000

In Colorado the last six years 8,075 SAR missions were performed (http://www.coloradosarboard.org/csrb-documents/1995-2010%20missions.pdf) with the only cost to the state being the occasional use of a National Guard helicopter. New Hampshire can’t figure out what the Western states have known for decades; and billing those that have an accident or misjudgement isn’t the answer.

By: Deeze

Deeze — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:13:09 +0000

I backpack in NH and I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t pay someone for saving my life. I mean, its your damn life so its kinda worth it no? If you fall crossing the street and break your leg you are gonna have to pay for an ambulance ride even if you have insurance.

By: matt

matt — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:02:32 +0000

I’m still so torn on charging fees for SAR. Yeah, a lot of people go out unprepared; I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen hiking Mt. Washington in flipflops, t-shirt, and without any water or layers. At the same time, I’ve helped with a rescue on Mt. Washington of a kid who slipped in a puddle and took a 150 foot tumble/fall and the only thing that saved his life was his backpack full of layers, food, and water that gave just enough cushioning to his spine/neck. It’s hard to say that kid was unprepared and deserves to get charged for the cost of his rescue. And yeah, this is a sensitive issue for me because I’m from New Hampshire.