What happens after missing hikers are rescued

[mythtrav16]

Most of us have seen news footage of missing hikers being lead out of a forest, or getting out of a chopper after being flown out. But we never see what happens after that.

Of course, if there is some health concern, the rescued people would obviously be taken to hospital immediately. But say for instance that they seem fine, for all intents and purposes? Say they can walk fine and they haven't been missing long enough for dehydration or malnutrition to be a concern, would they be allowed to go straight home, or would they be required to go somewhere to "debrief" the authorities?

 

[skitzoid]

Most are questioned about their route and where they made their mistakes. In some states, Co. and N.H., if the rescue is expensive, the hikers are charged a fee. N.H. was talking about $25,000 if a helicopter is used to rescue injured hikers in the White Mt. National Forest. Don't know if it passed their gov. Most rescues can be avoided if the hikers stay on the trails and be careful. If "bushwacking" , let some one know your schedule, and keep in touch. The eastern states can be difficult but not as much as the Rockies and Sierras. Allot of land between cities and roads.
Know your limitations and pack the right gear. Be mindful of the dangerous animals and come prepared. Stay in contact thru a cell phone or emergency locator.

 

[mythtrav16]

Most are questioned about their route and where they made their mistakes. In some states, Co. and N.H., if the rescue is expensive, the hikers are charged a fee. N.H. was talking about $25,000 if a helicopter is used to rescue injured hikers in the White Mt. National Forest. Don't know if it passed their gov. Most rescues can be avoided if the hikers stay on the trails and be careful. If "bushwacking" , let some one know your schedule, and keep in touch. The eastern states can be difficult but not as much as the Rockies and Sierras. Allot of land between cities and roads.
Know your limitations and pack the right gear. Be mindful of the dangerous animals and come prepared. Stay in contact thru a cell phone or emergency locator.

Thanks for the advice, but I'm not planning a camping trip, I'm planning a story about some lost hikers.

What I'm interested in exploring is the immediate events following their rescue. I realize that there will be questions and paperwork involved, but do these necessarily have to be taken care of as soon as the hikers leave the forest?

I've been camping enough to know that the first thing you think about when you get out of the wilderness is a nice long shower and probably a nice long nap on a soft matress. I'd imagine that a lost hiker would be fixated on the same thoughts. Would the authorities be okay with this, knowing that the hikers could come in refreshed the next day, or would they try to get through some of the formalities straight away?

EDIT: BTW, just out of curiosity, is that $25,000 fine you were talking about per party, or per person?

 

[coastal-boy]

I have yet to hear of any missing hikers not going to the hospital for evaluation. They may be quickly released, but this is not an option I believe is given to them.

 

[Nasty_Deeds]

Thanks for the advice, but I'm not planning a camping trip, I'm planning a story about some lost hikers.

What I'm interested in exploring is the immediate events following their rescue. I realize that there will be questions and paperwork involved, but do these necessarily have to be taken care of as soon as the hikers leave the forest?

I've been camping enough to know that the first thing you think about when you get out of the wilderness is a nice long shower and probably a nice long nap on a soft matress. I'd imagine that a lost hiker would be fixated on the same thoughts. Would the authorities be okay with this, knowing that the hikers could come in refreshed the next day, or would they try to get through some of the formalities straight away?

EDIT: BTW, just out of curiosity, is that $25,000 fine you were talking about per party, or per person?

I think they want to go home and clean-up like anyone else, and probably have a good meal. Not many fast-food restaurants in the forest when you’re lost. After getting some rest and feeling better, (and safe), they would probably want to talk about their experience to someone. After all, being lost, and wondering if you’re going to survive has got to be pretty traumatic. Just my thoughts.

 

[culloden]

That would be their call. As long as a person is conscious, coherent, and not under arrest, they can't be forced to accept medical treatment. Assuming no trauma other than exhaustion, I would probably refuse the extra expense and time of a hospital visit.

 

[knifeheart]

Of course, if there is some health concern, the rescued people would obviously be taken to hospital immediately. But say for instance that they seem fine, for all intents and purposes? Say they can walk fine and they haven't been missing long enough for dehydration or malnutrition to be a concern, would they be allowed to go straight home, or would they be required to go somewhere to "debrief" the authorities?

Obviously this is an area of emergency services that few people know anything about. It's safe to say you could go either route with your story and nobody would call you on it; do whatever advances your plot.

 

[Nasty_Deeds]

Generally, if it’s not a news story, and no laws are broken, everyone just goes home, unless it’s a case like the miners recently trapped in Chile, then they become celebrities.

If you are writing a story, turn your characters into celebrities. Celebrities can be good or bad. Also, if you are writing a story, you have a “literary license” and don’t have to follow reality; it just has to be interesting.

 

[airman2]

I think they want to go home and clean-up like anyone else, and probably have a good meal. Not many fast-food restaurants in the forest when you’re lost. After getting some rest and feeling better, (and safe), they would probably want to talk about their experience to someone. After all, being lost, and wondering if you’re going to survive has got to be pretty traumatic. Just my thoughts.

I doubt take away would be all too high on the list of things to do right away.

The amount of food intake after the ordeal will really depend on how long they were out there .. was it only 24 hrs or are we going few days? week? etc.

Generally, they would (or should) eat very little after the event. Odds are they won't be able to handle a large meal of any sort and you'd have to build yourself back up to it so to speak.

During training I was out for a week with no food and after I came back in I got a few crackers which was awesome. The next meal consisted of a salad and some tomato soup .. the next day and a bit was taken pretty lightly before moving onto full meals. You didn't hear me complaining though I did eat while out there but berries/vegetation/etc are not the most filling and just give you enough to keep going on. The first 24 hrs is all fine and dandy in a situation (and is the period where you should do everything possible as far as setting yourself up) its after this point where it all goes down hill. Good times.

 

[jayce1066]

FYI, it used to be the case in Colorado that if you had a current hunting or fishing license, the fee for coming to find your lost butt in the woods would be waived. I never went fishing, but always had a valid license tucked away. Other states may have the same policy.