Skiers off-course

Interesting discussion re:

4 men who went out of bounds at B.C. ski area banned, billed
Mountain official calls their actions 'absurd' and 'arrogant'

There is some discussion on whether they should be billed, as it means people will try to escape and duck from rescue teams when they ought to be rescued. Where does the right of those to live dangerously balance with the rights of society to say live a little less dangerously?

Where does one draw the line? The North Shore Rescue volunteers have some policy ideas, but I remain on the side of billing, and trying to enforce those staying within boundaries.

I am a volunteer with Victim Services here in Ontario. I laud the work of my team leaders and trainers. Newly graduated, I continue to hold people like yourselves in high esteem.

That said, I wonder if you could wax eloquently: if those who move off the delineated, open boundaries, are they not trespassing in a way? I can see your points about people ducking rescue to escape the fees, but if the operators determine that it is unsafe, and they are liable for extreme costs in a litigious society, what else can they do?

If people are out of bounds for 15 min., and time is of the essence, how long do they wait? How do they determine to rescue or not rescue?

We have has a fair number of preventable accidents and drownings, further drownings in Central Ontario. Our EMS & volunteer teams are called out when the could be doing other work. In the meantime those on high powered machine on ice or lakes, continue to flaunt common sense. With the ice only a week or so in, we are inundated with these high-powered machines late into the evening. They roar across the lake, screaming power. My cat and I, having a nice walk, were quite shocked with the noise and the smell.

They also flaunt Marine Laws which prohibit the operation of PWCs so close to shore at high speeds. It in unenforceable.

The media is full of shrill family member victims who find someone to blame when someone dies, a house burns, a vehicle crashes, as a result of a self-inflicted wound.

What is your take?