Recently, accidents involving hikers on outdoor adventures have occurred frequently, with the government sparing no expense to carry out rescues based on the principle of "putting lives first." How should we view the frequent incidents of hikers being rescued? Is it reasonable for the rescue party to bear the often enormous costs—sometimes reaching over 100,000 yuan—of these rescues? Does such rescue constitute an encroachment on public resources? The ethical and practical conflicts arising from such incidents have drawn public attention.
It has been learned that countries with well-developed outdoor activities have relatively standardized rescue mechanisms for dealing with emergencies. For example, in Israel, beach management authorities change between white, red, and black flags according to sea conditions. A white flag indicates calm waters and that swimming is permitted—should an accident occur under such circumstances, the government assumes full responsibility for medical expenses and compensation. A red flag means the sea is in abnormal condition, and swimming is not advised; if an accident happens, the government and the individual involved share equal responsibility. A black flag signifies extremely dangerous sea conditions, and swimming is strictly prohibited. Should someone choose to swim regardless and get into trouble, the government will still conduct a full rescue operation, but all costs will be borne by the rescued individual. In the United States, eight states have passed laws allowing charges for rescue services, primarily targeting those who put themselves in danger by violating regulations.
“Currently, outdoor rescue in China remains a legal gray area,” said Hao Jiyong, director of the Jinglu Law Firm. Given the current situation, increasing administrative penalties for rule-breaking hikers—such as higher fines or detention—may be an effective way to impose restrictions.
