Another one for the forum accident investigation board.

[Wansworth]

I wonder what these heroic ‘death before dishonour’ chaps would do if, say, they were out doing a long trek across inhospitable terrain, and they fell and broke a leg.

Supposing that, while the injured hero was wondering what to do, another trekker came by and offered to help.

Would our hero stiffen his upper lip and decline the offer, perhaps saying something like:

‘No thanks old boy, it’s perfectly alright, I assure you. Rather than put you to any trouble, I will fashion myself a pair of crutches out of the branches of yonder tree, and hobble the 20 miles to the nearest hospital.”​

It was all started by Nelson…saying it’s nought but a flesh wound as his arm was blow off……or was that Napoleon?

 

[Biggles Wader]

It was all started by Nelson…saying it’s nought but a flesh wound as his arm was blow off……or was that Napoleon?

I thought it was The Black Knight.

 

[Humblebee]

I know our local RNLI crew very well. All of them permanently gasping to be called. It is their life.

Quite. Speaking as a former lifeboat crew member, a shout was always welcome, it justified the regular training we underwent. Not saying we were glad to think someone was in trouble but it gave purpose to what we trained for.

 

[Stemar]

Quite. Speaking as a former lifeboat crew member, a shout was always welcome, it justified the regular training we underwent. Not saying we were glad to think someone was in trouble but it gave purpose to what we trained for.

Reminds me of the ambulance crews I worked with. A good shout was always welcome - especially when they came back knowing they'd saved a life. Cut fingers, on the other hand...

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Reminds me of the ambulance crews I worked with. A good shout was always welcome - especially when they came back knowing they'd saved a life. Cut fingers, on the other hand...

But what about the occasions when they don't save a life? I made a point of thanking the ambulance crew who came for my wife, even though she didn't make it - they gave her the best possible chance, but they knew (as I did) that we were hoping for the best but expecting the worst. As it was, their care ensured that my wife could, as she wished, be an organ donor.

 

[Poignard]

It was all started by Nelson…saying it’s nought but a flesh wound as his arm was blow off……or was that Napoleon?

Wasn't it at Waterloo?

One officer turned to another and said: "By gad, Sir. You've lost your arm."

To which the other replied:
"By gad, Sir. You're right."

And then they boarded the train.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Quite. Speaking as a former lifeboat crew member, a shout was always welcome, it justified the regular training we underwent. Not saying we were glad to think someone was in trouble but it gave purpose to what we trained for.

The Yarmouth crew are just the same, it’s how it should be.

 

[mjcoon]

...

I'm sure I could find plenty to criticise if I looked, but I'm happy to do my bit to keep lifeboats, including local independent ones, well funded. I pay a good bit more for car breakdown insurance, and they aren't going to put their lives in danger to save mine because I've done something stupid.

I expect the RLNI's purchasing power explains this remarkable historical headline from the current YM (sic)...

 

[Stemar]

But what about the occasions when they don't save a life? I made a point of thanking the ambulance crew who came for my wife, even though she didn't make it - they gave her the best possible chance, but they knew (as I did) that we were hoping for the best but expecting the worst. As it was, their care ensured that my wife could, as she wished, be an organ donor.

Those were usually the toughest jobs. They tended to come back a bit short on the banter that normally floated around. I remember one paramedic telling me that he had to get a fatally injured child from under a lorry, and all he could see was his daughter lying there as he worked to ease her final moments.

It's no wonder they had a black sense of humour that would shock anyone who didn't understand that it was their way of coping with the uncopable (not sure if that's a word, but it is now.

 

[Wansworth]

Tha

Those were usually the toughest jobs. They tended to come back a bit short on the banter that normally floated around. I remember one paramedic telling me that he had to get a fatally injured child from under a lorry, and all he could see was his daughter lying there as he worked to ease her final moments.

It's no wonder they had a black sense of humour that would shock anyone who didn't understand that it was their way of coping with the uncopable (not sure if that's a word, but it is now.

t is a very sad post

 

[winch2]

I know our local RNLI crew very well. All of them permanently gasping to be called. It is their life.

Im sure that's right and they love it, but they probably aren't the ones having to find the money to keep the whole shebang going so to speak. I wonder what it actually costs to launch, run, retrieve and then prepare for the next launch one of the big ones? Oh and my reference to string was simply a euphonism regarding the colossal cost which all comes from donations, big and small. And therein lies my point about not calling them for anything less than the most serious situations. In essence, think before you call the CG.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Im sure that's right and they love it, but they probably aren't the ones having to find the money to keep the whole shebang going so to speak. I wonder what it actually costs to launch, run, retrieve and then prepare for the next launch one of the big ones? Oh and my reference to string was simply a euphonism regarding the colossal cost which all comes from donations, big and small. And therein lies my point about not calling them for anything less than the most serious situations. In essence, think before you call the CG.

I have never called the coastguard, nor been on any boat that has. I merely remark that RNLI crews are as keen as mustard to go to sea and help people.

 

[ylop]

And therein lies my point about not calling them for anything less than the most serious situations. In essence, think before you call the CG.

the biggest cost is the capital assets sitting doing nothing 99% of the time, along with the cost of keeping crews competent, experienced, confident and ready to respond. If they don’t get call outs to minor stuff they’ll end up launching for training.

The CG and the RNLI ask you to call early so they can decide how best to help early or be better prepared, if a problem is going to evolve. Your message contradicts the advice from the experts.

 

[Juan Twothree]

the biggest cost is the capital assets sitting doing nothing 99% of the time, along with the cost of keeping crews competent, experienced, confident and ready to respond. If they don’t get call outs to minor stuff they’ll end up launching for training.

The CG and the RNLI ask you to call early so they can decide how best to help early or be better prepared, if a problem is going to evolve. Your message contradicts the advice from the experts.

Exactly this. The actual cost of every call is very little in the great scheme things.

If you divide the total running costs of the organisation by the number of service launches then yes, each launch costs many thousands of pounds.

But you don't save that money by not launching.

 

[Stemar]

It's also worth remembering that most of the "waste of time" callouts are training opportunities, and constant training/practice is essential to keep crews at the top of their game when it's most needed.

 

[winch2]

Your message contradicts the advice from the experts.

I can asure you that was not my intention. people in the know, know and Iam but a sailor of moderate experience..

Going back to "every false call out is a training experience" Im not so sure. The impression I have is that these call outs tend to be in calm weather from people who really need to think thru their situation before reaching for the phone. Like wise a call in adverse conditions is more likely to be a real emergency.

 

[doug748]

Wasn't it at Waterloo?

One officer turned to another and said: "By gad, Sir. You've lost your arm."

To which the other replied:
"By gad, Sir. You're right."

And then they boarded the train.

I think it was a leg, Wellington speaking to the uniped.

The two men did not get on as Wellington was knobbing his wife (or the other way around) no doubt someone will consult Google for the full SP.

.

 

[Stemar]

I can asure you that was not my intention. people in the know, know and Iam but a sailor of moderate experience..

Going back to "every false call out is a training experience" Im not so sure. The impression I have is that these call outs tend to be in calm weather from people who really need to think thru their situation before reaching for the phone. Like wise a call in adverse conditions is more likely to be a real emergency.

I beg to differ. If you have a problem that interferes with your ability to manoeuvre or stay afloat, it's prudent to inform the CG, who may, or may not, call out the lifeboat. That's their call.

I'm not talking about engine failure on a yacht in good conditions and a nice breeze. Just bloody sail the thing home and call for help from the marina to get alongside in that case, but anything with a significant probability of escalating warrants an early call in my book.

 

[Poignard]

I think it was a leg, Wellington speaking to the uniped.

The two men did not get on as Wellington was knobbing his wife (or the other way around) no doubt someone will consult Google for the full SP.

.

The Strange Tale of Lord Uxbridge's Leg

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I beg to differ. If you have a problem that interferes with your ability to manoeuvre or stay afloat, it's prudent to inform the CG, who may, or may not, call out the lifeboat. That's their call.

I'm not talking about engine failure on a yacht in good conditions and a nice breeze. Just bloody sail the thing home and call for help from the marina to get alongside in that case, but anything with a significant probability of escalating warrants an early call in my book.

Yep, all advice says keep them posted. I didn’t, when we lost our rig, because we were confident we were not in trouble. But if in doubt, call first, don’t wait. By no means always a mayday, just advisory. Let them make the call as they see fit.