Yuppie 911:

Make the call, pay the consequences for poor judgment later, if at all. SAR in King County is almost entirely volunteer, except for the paid KC Sheriff's deputies and pilots. SAR services in King County do not cost you anything, though considerable money and time go into the training behind them.

Everybody makes mistakes and shit happens to the best of us -- that's the reason those volunteers are around and eager to help.

Toby, I believe having sub-standard beer just clears the county guidelines for using the helicopter

Make em pay for each rescue visit $$$$$

Screw the rich, rescue for all!!!! 

I think the money should come from monthly user fees by the people who carry them. Like a group SAR insurance. Maybe even a percentage going to SAR orgs monthly as well.  It would be a shame if someone who really needed to push the button didn't because they couldn't afford to. I wouldn't even be interested in volunteering if that where the case.

Also, develop solid protocols for when you can push the button. Make it a legal issue when people show gross negligence and/or put others in danger. Mandatory education and permit if you want to carry.

I often carry my SPOT device so I can hit the OK button to assure my 80 year old Mother and my wife that I am fine. I would not consider using the 911 option except in matters of life and death. The fact that I have this device does not come into my considerations of routes or destinations.

Having lived along the 49th parallel all my life, I find it extremely ironic that a resident of the Land of Bud Lite would find Canadian beer watery. ???Having said that, I am going to a launch party tonight for Deschutes Brewery's introduction into Canada.(They do make a fine hoppy IPA.)

I smell a hijack in progress...

Telemon, I find it extremely ironic that Canadians still defend their "our beer is better beer" fallacy. Prohibition is over!!! Seriously though, the only good IPA that I have found in Canada so far is from Tree Brewing in Kelowna. Let me know of another one and I'll give it a taste. Until then, I will be bringing my beer across that 49th parallel. I know you love Deschutes beer! It's the flavor!

JUST LIKE Amar's FAILED RESCUE ATTEMPT on Mt Rainier a couple years ago

I'm struggling to find the relevance of your example to what the article was talking about. Care to explain as you're the one that's invoked the name of a well respected TAYer.????