I can address this question because I have done a lot of volunteer SAR work, spanning several decades (1958 to 1985 essentially). During this time, I became aware of what I might call the "SAR paradox - namely, the more I contributed, the more I received. The result was a "win" for me. I was volunteering for SAR for the very same reasons any of us indulge in any activity - we derive a net benefit.

Forget all that hooey about the dedicated, selfless, noble volunteer. That is a very simplistic, naive description of the volunteer dynamic. It doesn't work for everyone in the general population, but for those who embrace SAR, it is addictive.

The benefits certainly weren't financial, but they were substantial, nontheless. I credit SAR for getting me through a rough period in my personal life. it was the one positive influence in a crumbling marriage and a sub par job (one that involved a paper shuffling bureaucratic maze, incidentally).

People do get killed and injured doing SAR. A good friend died prematurely, having contracted Valley Fever while on an operation, and I have been dinged up a bit myself on various occasions. I vividly remember one occasion, 100 feet down in a badly decaying mine shaft, where I really thought we might not make it.

My honest reaction to that situation was "At least I am going to go out doing something meaningful, not just perishing in some lousy car accident." Whether or not you are going after idiots or not is fairly immaterial, at least during the event. Someone needs help, you respond. It's fairly simple.

In the incident where I was in mortal fear, it is worth noting that our two victims, who had spent a couple of days in the bottom of this mine shaft, had landed there as a result of criminal activity (and some less than brilliant decisions). Once out of the pit, they were promptly interviewed, cuffed, and arrested. We rescue them all and let the deputies sort them out.

In a perfect world, one would prefer to rescue non-idiots. While we are dreaming, let us also specify that victims would be attractive, available, and extremely grateful. Since that isn't the case, education is the best, most productive strategy. The publicity and media attention surrounding some of the more spectacular operations offers a very good platform for these efforts and it can pay off.

I apologize for the length of this post, but this obviously punches one of my buttons.....