Thread: Man rescued from Ureweras

Just been through me photo file, willing to bet me mother in laws inheritance that it's Waiotukapiti--(Te Waikapiti)!!!

Hmm......Lucky chap

And this is where modern technology causes natural selection to stagnate. This guy is just going to go out and do it again.
He could have just stayed out of the river. Three times. It's because he has a PLB, he feels safe enough to go and do stupid things.
After using it one time you should have the damn thing taken off you.

Originally Posted by Carlsen Highway

And this is where modern technology causes natural selection to stagnate. This guy is just going to go out and do it again.
He could have just stayed out of the river. Three times. It's because he has a PLB, he feels safe enough to go and do stupid things.
After using it one time you should have the damn thing taken off you.

Hypothermia makes the brain engage in some weird decisions.

Originally Posted by Carlsen Highway

And this is where modern technology causes natural selection to stagnate. This guy is just going to go out and do it again.
He could have just stayed out of the river. Three times. It's because he has a PLB, he feels safe enough to go and do stupid things.
After using it one time you should have the damn thing taken off you.

It might be because you are in a constant deluded state CH, and thinking not-normal to you is normal. But for us normal people it doesn't take too much exhaustion and loss of body heat to start to think not-normal. PLB or not, once exhausted and slightly hypothermic this chap was likely to make poor decisions.

As an aside, I understand that the term hyperthermia (being used by some in this thread) is elevated body temp, while hypothermia is decreased body temp. This chap would have been suffering from hypothermia.

@Carlsen Highway really? I have a plb and it would not make me do something i would not do if i didn't have it. Most of the time i forget its even there. Absolutely no influence on what i do or don't do.

Originally Posted by Tahr

It might be because you are in a constant deluded state CH, and thinking not-normal to you is normal. But for us normal people it doesn't take too much exhaustion and loss of body heat to start to think not-normal. PLB or not, once exhausted and slightly hypothermic this chap was likely to make poor decisions.

As an aside, I understand that the term hyperthermia (being used by some in this thread) is elevated body temp, while hypothermia is decreased body temp. This chap would have been suffering from hypothermia.

I understand hypothermia. But hypothermia was the result - not the cause of his poor decision making. My point is that fools may become an unwelcome burden on the community, genetic advancement, and very possibly the health of the species.

Our civilisation has made the individual divine and precious, when there is plainly way too many of us.

I am, of course, taking a macro view of the situation.

I do not have a plb, and I have stated elsewhere, do not believe they are a healthy addition to our technology. As for those who have accused me of possibly being a hypocrite, and that I should wish never be in a position to need one, for fear I would prove them right; for them I can only say that when the time comes and there is no other out, when I have two broken legs, four days walk from the road, I pray only for the grim strength to roll to my rifle and blow my brains out like a man. I will take responsibility for everything goddamn it, except the beginning.

Originally Posted by blair993

@Carlsen Highway really? I have a plb and it would not make me do something i would not do if i didn't have it. Most of the time i forget its even there. Absolutely no influence on what i do or don't do.

Yes, but you are not a fool, and plainly a gentleman. We are not talking about good citizens - we are talking about encouraging cretins.

Originally Posted by blair993

@Carlsen Highway really? I have a plb and it would not make me do something i would not do if i didn't have it. Most of the time i forget its even there. Absolutely no influence on what i do or don't do.

This guy's story is such a good learning point -- once hypothermic, or bleeding, or septic, you may forget even more that your PLB is there. I have a tab label on the pouch where my PLB rests just for that reminder, also in case someone stumbles on me in a bad state.

I'm cautious, never broken a bone in my life or had a traffic collision, but shit happens. I always wear my seat belt, not just because I'm told to.

All that said, there is a valid point in what @Carlsen Highway says about the security of the PLB. It just has to have some influence on how we pack. I mean, cars are driven closer to cyclists who wear helmets!