Dong Xiquan, a member of the Qingdao Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, told reporters that, as far as he knows, countries with well-developed outdoor activities have relatively standardized rescue mechanisms for dealing with emergencies. For example, beach management authorities in Israel change white, red, and black flags according to sea conditions. A white flag indicates calm seas and that swimming is permitted. In such cases, if an accident occurs, the government takes full responsibility for medical expenses and compensation. A red flag means the sea conditions are abnormal and it is not advisable to enter the water. If an accident happens, the government and the individual involved share the responsibility equally. A black flag indicates extremely dangerous sea conditions, and swimming is strictly prohibited. If someone insists on entering the water and gets into trouble, the government will still make every effort to carry out a rescue, but all costs will be borne by the rescued person.
In the United States, eight states have passed laws allowing charges for rescue services, mainly targeting those who put themselves in danger by violating regulations.