***UPDATE: Direct from SLC SAR Commander...I'm definitely calling SLC SAR next time.***

Search And Rescue | Salt Lake County Sheriffs's Office (slsheriff.org)

***UPDATED*** I got word back from SLC SAR, direct from the commander: "We have a 40 person team and we do multiple rescue missions in different locations at the same time. I don't know if 'you' are fully aware of the situation that you put yourself into where you could be liable if this individual had fallen off your back and perhaps died. Please relay to the entire community that SLC SAR is NEVER too busy. I just hope you didn't make things worse by trying to do the right thing. In this case we would've used a helicopter and done an Emergency Evacuation. Helicopter rescues through the DPS systems are typically at no cost to the patient."  

Glen Kaplan wrote:

Search And Rescue | Salt Lake County Sheriffs's Office (slsheriff.org)

***UPDATED*** I got word back from SLC SAR, direct from the commander: "We have a 40 person team and we do multiple rescue missions in different locations at the same time. I don't know if 'you' are fully aware of the situation that you put yourself into where you could be liable if this individual had fallen off your back and perhaps died. Please relay to the entire community that SLC SAR is NEVER too busy. I just hope you didn't make things worse by trying to do the right thing. In this case we would've used a helicopter and done an Emergency Evacuation. Helicopter rescues through the DPS systems are typically at no cost to the patient."  

Maybe you could fill us in what incident this is in regards too..?

This is in regards to *another* incident that happened on Sat. 5/15.  We came upon an injured climber on the 2 to 3 pitch of Sonic Boone, up in BCC, in the Granite Flume area.   We mistakenly decided to self-rescue for the two obvious misconceptions:

a) we thought it would cost too much

b) we also thought SAR was just too busy already  

Ok then.   Let me recap, but first...the whole point is to call 911 and let the professionals make the hard decisions.  I got ZERO information that SLC SAR is sketched about about anything, quite the contrary...they just want to spread the word that they "do it for free, they want to do it, and 'we' shouldn't be scared to call, ever." 

Sat. 5/15: my partner and I came upon a seriously injured climber on top of the 1st pitch as described here on the Proj. (technically the 2nd set of rap anchors).   Injured climber was 100% conscious and never lost consciousness.  In fact, they were in the process of trying to "lower" with very little to zero success.  Injured climber thought they had broken ankles, and possibly serious injury to pelvis, sternum as well.   Both my partner and I have specific training and experience as well in both medical and rescue techniques.

All 4 people involved decided to NOT call 911 for the three misconceived notions that:

a) Rescue costs a butt load

b) SLC SAR has just been hammered lately (i.e. they were too busy)

c) we could do it ourselves

I'm just trying to help spread the good word AND add some timely and relevant information to the fact that there have been a lot of climbing related rescues this past week especially.  Now that I've experienced this (not the first time...but definitely the most current), I'm hoping to help spread the "BEST COURSE OF ACTION IS TO CALL 911".  Let the professionals make the hard decisions.   

*I wouldn't exactly call our methods/techniques "MacGuyver" style, but that is the whole point coming from SLC SAR Commander; we did not have to expose ourselves to a possibly worse emergency and/or liability.  That's what they are there for and 'we' should not think twice about calling them.   Not because of fear of costs, burden, guilt, etc.   Just call 911.  They want to save people and keep us as safe as possible.

I've always seen self-rescue as what should happen, unless impossible. First thing was don't get badly hurt, and (self) rescue if you do. If I/we can get to medical without calling for help, that's what I'm going to do. If I can't, I'll call for help. I'm part of my county's SAR, full disclosure.

Jay Goodwin wrote:

I've always seen self-rescue as what should happen, unless impossible. First thing was don't get badly hurt, and (self) rescue if you do. If I/we can get to medical without calling for help, that's what I'm going to do. If I can't, I'll call for help. I'm part of my county's SAR, full disclosure.

Thanks for the input Jay.  I certainly don't mean to beat a dead-horse here but this just happened to us and I'm interested in exploring "future" decision making processes (while it is all still so fresh and also because of the many rescues of late).   I totally hear both sides of the equation and I've settled on essentially what you have stated here...I personally am always going to opt for self-rescue.  I'm not a muggle.  Far from it.   If I am unable to self-rescue, I will call for help.  This extends to fallen comrades I come across in my adventures.   

As for this case specifically, all 4 individuals had a poignant discussion and voiced as many factors as we could--collectively we made the decision to not call SAR, primarily because of the fear of outrageous ambulance/helicopter costs but also because the assumption that we could successfully self-rescue (we were right, we did self-rescue).  Did we increase our risks?   Yes.  Certainly.   But we managed those risks and we used experience and proven techniques to minimize them and ultimately control them.  That being said...I think I will be more likely to call SAR right away in the future.   They would have likely sent some pre-runners ASAP and then we would have at least had more help...as we literally carried the injured climber back to the road and it was a lot of work!

I will continue to try and determine what the outcome would have been had we decided to call SAR.   I think it would have resulted in a helicopter ride as we were on a 5th class ledge approximately 180' off the deck, which in turn was about 400' up a scree/talus slope without trails.   I bet SAR would have been roped up and tied-in on this ledge; therefore, I bet they would have used a heli for evacuation.   ???

Thanks all for the discussion.   Be safe out there.   Rule #1: don't get hurt.   :)

Interesting conversation and thoughts...to be sure.

I've always thought self rescue (or call the savvy friends) is a better course than calling SAR if its minor enough to manage yourself.  Not that I don't appreciate the SAR folks here, but, putting additional folks in harm's way is always a thought that occurs to me with regard to having someone else bail you out.

Its kind of a sensitive subject...given some of the history...and, I'll leave it at that.

And, yep, let's all be safe out there.

Sounds like you weren't performing a self-rescue, but rather you were rescuing another party.  The SAR commander probably figures you should let the officials do it.  

SinRopa wrote:

Is liability a legit concern here?  

That is the million dollar question. In the past Good Samaritan Laws would give someone a defense (does not prevent one from being sued, just gives a defense if sued). However, they seem to have come under fire in the recent past (I can not remember the case but IIRC a Good Samaritan was sued). Which in turn some states have beefed up their laws protecting the Good Samaritan. It has been long enough I can not remember all the details, but recent enough that I recall it partially.

The one case I do partially recall is a family that sued after the victim died because they did not feel the NPS failed to act fast enough. The family lost partially because the court said there was no duty to rescue.