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This Third Time Was Anything But Charming – SPOT Misuse At Grand Canyon National Park

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Grand Canyon

NPS photo.

Frivolous calls to 911 centers are a growing problem all across the country, but when the call comes from a remote location in Grand Canyon National Park, both the expense and risks of an emergency response increase dramatically. A group of hikers recently activated their SPOT device not once, not twice, but three times on the same trip.

We’ve previously explored the "good, the bad and the silly uses" of SPOT and similar emergency communication devices, and mentioned a program in Australia that loans personal locator beacons to backcountry uses at a national park. The latter story asked, "Are people more inclined to take unnecessary risks if they think help can be requested instantly with the push of a button?"

The recent case at Grand Canyon National Park confirms the answer to that question is sometimes "yes," and suggests the question wasn't quite broad enough. In some cases, availability of such devices can encourage people to attempt an outdoor trip that's beyond their abilities.

According to information from the park.

On the evening of September 23rd, rangers began a search for hikers who repeatedly activated their rented SPOT satellite tracking device. The GEOS Emergency Response Center in Houston reported that someone in the group of four hikers – two men and their two teenaged sons – had pressed the “help” button on their SPOT unit. The coordinates for the signal placed the group in a remote section of the park, most likely on the challenging Royal Arch loop.

Due to darkness and the remoteness of the location, rangers were unable to reach them via helicopter until the following morning. When found, they’d moved about a mile and a half to a water source. They declined rescue, as they’d activated the device due to their lack of water.

That last sentence is a key as the situation unfolded: the group "declined rescue." Unfortunately, this saga was just beginning.

Later that same evening, the same SPOT device was again activated, this time using the “911” button. Coordinates placed them less than a quarter mile from the spot where searchers had found them that morning. Once again, nightfall prevented a response by park helicopter, so an Arizona DPS helicopter whose crew utilized night vision goggles was brought in.

Most of tend to take the use of helicopters for rescues and other emergency services for granted. We see and read about such activity on a regular basis, and forget—or perhaps don't realize—that such flying, especially in mountain and canyon terrain, can be very hazardous. That's especially true of flying at night in rugged terrain. So, what was the group's problem this second time around? The state helicopter crew

found that the members of the group were concerned about possible dehydration because the water they’d found tasted salty, but no actual emergency existed. The helicopter crew declined their request for a night evacuation, but provided them with water before departing.

The saga wasn't over.

On the following morning, another SPOT “help” activation came in from the group. This time they were flown out by park helicopter. All four refused medical assessment or treatment.

Here's a key to the problem. Keep in mind this situation occurred in a remote, backcountry location in the canyon, not on one of the more heavily travelled trails.

The group’s leader had reportedly hiked once at the Grand Canyon; the other adult had no Grand Canyon and very little backpacking experience. When asked what they would have done without the SPOT device, the leader stated, “We would have never attempted this hike.”

Can devices such as SPOT save lives, time and money? If used properly, the answer is "yes," but abuse of the technology will likely be a growing challenge for search and rescue agencies.

The group leader was issued a citation for creating a hazardous condition, one of the few legal options available under current regulations.

Comments

rescue services, should not be free. most ambulance and some fire service have set fees for response.
Phoenix ,AZ police charge time and material for noise and loud party calls. These are service costs not fines.Why not do the same in the parks


bojay--

There have been a couple of threads on NPT about the pros and cons of charging for rescue services. The main argument against charging for emergency services is that the other type of idiots out there would get in trouble, not want to pay for the rescue, and therefore wait too long until the situation has escalated to be a more risky & difficult rescue, putting the emergency responders as well as the visitor at greater risk.

You can't legislate good judgment, but perhaps folks need mandatory instruction on what is and isn't appropriate use of SPOT or other calls for help.

I assume that these particular idiots will be fined an amount at least what the helicopter trips cost: over $1000 per trip even for simple trips. I'm glad the NPS folks had sense enough to not chance a high risk night landing: imagine if they were injured or killed.


I have no problem with stiff fines for abuse of emergency services. That's essentially what this was.

Calling for help because water "tasted salty" that far away from any substantial source of salt? That's just beyond ignorant.

Honestly though - it might have been better if they had been able to simply get access to regular non-emergency communications. The could have been informed where they could get a reliable water source rather than send expensive personnel to just give them water.


What ranger would approve a permit for this group on this hike anyway? The NPS bears some responsibility for its poor judgement as well.


Anonymous -

Your comment indicates you believe a ranger should have the authority to deny a group a backcountry permit based on his or her evaluation of their experience and/or qualifications for the trip.

I'd be interested to read the reactions of other readers to that idea, including what criteria should be used to make that decision.


I'd be real curious to know more about the third "emergency" and why they were evacuated.

I'm all for denying people backcountry permits due to lack of experience/qualifications but the logistics of it would make obtaining one extremely difficult because it would require the presence of the group leader at the park prior to issuance of the permit in order to evaluate him/her.


I haven't really heard of many specific requirements for non-technical hiking or overnight camping. The only thing I've seen is that the ranger (or sometimes even non-profit worker or volunteer) will have the permit holder read a short list of rules before signing for the permit.

In Yosemite there's no test. I though a few NPS units supposedly make people sit through orientation videos before issuing permits for some areas. Fiery Furnace at Arches requires watching an orientation video before they issue a day use permit.

I'd also note that many NPS units have people pick up permits in person even if they're reserved by phone or online. There are some places where you can self-issue if it's not the peak season or pick up a prepared copy if it's after hours.


I received this link from my sister who lives and works at the Grand Canyon, and has for over 20 years. The employees at the Canyon call some tourist "tourons" (a combination of tourist and morons). These four are a perfect example for the term. The Canyon is a dangerous place that suffers many injuries and deaths. They have gone to the trouble and expense for rescue precautions and these idiots treat it like a toy. They should be made to pay for the expense of the three trips into the canyon for the rescue crews.


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