SEARCH AND RESCUE AIMS MISDIRECTED

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31053, 7 May 1966, Page 11

SEARCH AND RESCUE AIMS MISDIRECTED

T’HE recent exercise by the 1 national Mountain Safety Council in the Tararua Range north of Masterton was the first to be held since the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) formed the body last year. Although the exercise was of great benefit to those who took part. It was a pity that the first major exercise held by the council should be staged so many months after its formation. However, the number of

people lost, hurt or dead in the mountains each year makes such a course very worthwhile.

Since January, 1965, 39 mountaineers, trampers, skitourers and deer shooters have been reported lost and later found. Another 28 were injured and required assistance to get out, and seven have either died or are presumed to be dead. These 74 people were responsible for the calling out of search parties from the Waltakere Ranges, north of Auckland, to Milford and the organisation required by these parties more than justifies the creation of the council

It does seem, however, that the efforts of the council should be directed towards educating the members of the public, who cause the search and rescue operations, rather than those doing the rescuing. Of the 74, only one was a member of a search and rescue operation himself.

Far more benefit would result from the education of the public, and it would be considerably less expensive in the long run. Although forest and national park rangers may form the nucleus of most rescue parties, it is no small matter to involve 40 or 50 people in a search of several days. It is to be hoped that the

publicity given to the council will result in fewer searches as well as more efficient ones.