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Climber hit by Lightning - Pierces Pass


Butters81

4-Jan-2011
1:14:36 PM

I think the climbers involved are on the Channel 9 payroll promoting the new show "Rescue".
I saw an ad for it last night, and there is a massive amount of footage of a red helicopter flying over the blue mountains


tnd

4-Jan-2011
1:26:49 PM

On 4/01/2011 Tommo wrote:
>...Oh, and who the f*** carries an EPIRP climbing? Not unheard of, I guess
>(long wilderness approaches etc.) but another prime example of misconceptions
>about our sport.

As mentioned in the other thread, EPIRBs are light, portable and can be borrowed for free. Any reasoning non-climber would opine that climbers doing remote long routes are not taking appropriate precautions if they don't carry one. I agree.

kieranl

4-Jan-2011
2:07:43 PM

On 4/01/2011 tnd wrote:
>On 4/01/2011 Tommo wrote:
>>...Oh, and who the f*** carries an EPIRP climbing? Not unheard of, I
>guess
>>(long wilderness approaches etc.) but another prime example of misconceptions
>>about our sport.
>
>As mentioned in the other thread, EPIRBs are light, portable and can be
>borrowed for free. Any reasoning non-climber would opine that climbers
>doing remote long routes are not taking appropriate precautions if they
>don't carry one. I agree.
By this reasoning I should carry an EPIRB in my car as I am often driving on roads with poor phone reception and I might not be able to tell 000 where I am if there's an accident.

widewetandslippery

4-Jan-2011
2:22:52 PM

I don't doubt that carrying an epirb may be a good idea. Especially those partnered with children or who have someone who will panic if you don't show up. I've climbed with quite a few people who if even a little late are in fear of causing a panic. The big but though is its a choice. Helmets, ropes, seatbelts, epirbs are all and should be a choice.

In the case above it sounds like the fellas got themselves out of the poo anyway and probally would of been better off without a rescue.


Eduardo Slabofvic

4-Jan-2011
2:58:36 PM

People get hit by lightning while playing golf. So I guess you should carry an EEEEKHERB while playing the back nine.

kieranl

4-Jan-2011
3:04:01 PM

How will the epirb know that you have been struck by lightning and are lying unconcious at the 8th Tee?


kuu

4-Jan-2011
3:27:48 PM

On 4/01/2011 kieranl wrote:
>How will the epirb know that you have been struck by lightning and are
>lying unconcious at the 8th Tee?

If you are carrying the device (PLB nowadays!) on your person when struck by lightning it has probably been rendered useless. ;-)

Tex

4-Jan-2011
5:35:31 PM

Quick bit of info. Police Rescue and the Ambo's in the Blue Mtns do carry the climbing guide book in their vehicles. They are often used and were used on this occasion. Also, there are a number of members of emergency services in the Bluies, including Police Rescue that are experienced recreational climbers. RE the use of PLB's whilst climbing - As has been said, it's a personal choice. But remember, they are small, light and free to borrow in the Blue Mtns. Not much of an inconvenience for something that could potentially save your life or assist in your rescue should something go wrong on a remote climb or walk in/out. Lastly, don't believe everything you read/hear in the media, it's not always accurate.


BoulderBaby

4-Jan-2011
7:09:16 PM

Light and portable? When I used to sell them at paddys, they were largish, and bulky (and not to mention, not hangable on harness)... and they were also $700 dollars..

It's good to know you can borrow them in the blueys though.


Doug

4-Jan-2011
7:28:36 PM

How's this for compact:

patto

4-Jan-2011
7:31:52 PM

The thing is that they are too big and too easily damaged to be carrying on every climb.

So they are only useful when you know you are going to get into trouble. ????

Wendy

4-Jan-2011
11:24:04 PM

I'm guessing they don't have too many of them there, so how long are they going to last if all and sundry decide it's a good idea to take them when they go out climbing? Will someone be fighting over whether they need it more to go to the glen or should the other party get it to go to Mt York? And when are Nati police going to offer the same service so people won't get caught out on their remote expeditions to the western side? I've only got an old school one that's completely useless now. Can i borrow one from the blueys when going on multiweek bushwalks in seriously remote areas? Should i buy one for my cat so that i can locate him when he gets out and still isn't home at this hour of night?


Eduardo Slabofvic

5-Jan-2011
12:34:12 AM

On 4/01/2011 kieranl wrote:
>How will the epirb know that you have been struck by lightning and are
>lying unconcious at the 8th Tee?

You'll be in sight of the bar at the 8th tee, so you'll be fine.

dmnz

5-Jan-2011
7:10:38 AM

I just think it's funny that people won't wear helmets but think that an Epirb will somehow miraculously save their lives.


aarond

5-Jan-2011
8:13:28 AM

On 4/01/2011 Wendy wrote:
>Can i borrow one from
>the blueys when going on multiweek bushwalks in seriously remote areas?

You most Certainly can, they are more than happy to lend them to you for long periods!

you will probably find alot of areas offer them to borrow for free, i know Kosciusko Nat Parks have them too

Philtown

5-Jan-2011
9:08:57 AM

On 4/01/2011 Wendy wrote:
> Should i buy one for my cat so that i can locate him when he gets out
>and still isn't home at this hour of night?

The real question is whether your cat wears a helmet...

Wendy

5-Jan-2011
9:29:01 AM

On 5/01/2011 Philtown wrote:
>On 4/01/2011 Wendy wrote:
>> Should i buy one for my cat so that i can locate him when he gets out
>>and still isn't home at this hour of night?
>
>The real question is whether your cat wears a helmet...

and what grade does he comfortably climb?

Wendy

5-Jan-2011
9:33:55 AM

On 5/01/2011 aarond wrote:
>On 4/01/2011 Wendy wrote:
> >Can i borrow one from
>>the blueys when going on multiweek bushwalks in seriously remote areas?
>
>You most Certainly can, they are more than happy to lend them to you for
>long periods!

Really? Long trips out of area? Like if I ran away to the Kimberly with it for a month? I'd actually call that a very useful service, even if i do think taking them on climbs less than an hour from the car is somewhat excessive.

>
>you will probably find alot of areas offer them to borrow for free, i
>know Kosciusko Nat Parks have them too

i'll have to do some research for other places next time i want one.


aarond

5-Jan-2011
10:55:06 AM

On 5/01/2011 Wendy wrote:
>On 5/01/2011 aarond wrote:
>>On 4/01/2011 Wendy wrote:
>> >Can i borrow one from
>>>the blueys when going on multiweek bushwalks in seriously remote areas?
>>
>>You most Certainly can, they are more than happy to lend them to you
>for
>>long periods!
>
>Really? Long trips out of area? Like if I ran away to the Kimberly with
>it for a month? I'd actually call that a very useful service, even if
>i do think taking them on climbs less than an hour from the car is somewhat
>excessive.
>
>>
>>you will probably find alot of areas offer them to borrow for free, i
>>know Kosciusko Nat Parks have them too
>
>i'll have to do some research for other places next time i want one.

I Rung Katoomba police and enquired about one when we went to the snow for a few weeks and they said they will lend them for a long time but tried to avoid lending them for out of areas. as long as you gave them a general itinerary and rough expected dates back i got the impression you could borrow them for a while.
the Blue Mts Police and Parks were given like 20 or 30 of them a few years back.
maybe thats why they want everyone to take then, so they can justify that it was a good and useful donation.

we ended up ringing Parks in Kosciusko and we could borrow it up to 2 weeks there ( i think) for free just because they are more popular down there in peak periods.

widewetandslippery

5-Jan-2011
11:01:13 AM

I would never get one from the police. I HATE police. Remember in NSW it is no longer a police service it is a police FORCE. Thats right, given a chance they will force you to do things. All police are bad. They are nothing but standover men for the protection racket that is goverment.

There are 93 messages in this topic.