Don't even begin to think that the news media give a comprehensive picture of SAR activity. A lot of rescues and operations go completely unnoticed or are buried in the middle pages. The ones that do get attention have some kind of angle - something unusual or bizarre that attracts interest - the sort of thing that draws readers. It helps if the operation lasts a long time, as well.

Still I don't doubt that many people are unprepared for any kind of calamity, not even a little bit. Experience helps give folks a idea of the hazards in a particular situation and they are more likely to avoid trouble or deal with it on their own. Most of the SAR victims I have encountered were both inexperienced and usually unprepared. Same thing applied to me when I was starting out.