French Cave Rescue

[Cumbrian Neil]

I've been living in the USA for close to 13 years now and still a citizen of the UK.  However, I can't get insurance through a Snowcard or BCRA because I don't permanently live in the UK.

The only insurance I can get is medical, repatriation, etc from the entrance of the cave... but not in it for cave rescue purposes.  I'm heading to the Vercor next month and need to figure out whether I need to be covered for French cave rescue services.  Do they (the French) charge for rescues, or is it like the CRO?  I'm not going to the Berger, but will be (hopefully) completing the Trou Des Anciens and the Gournier.

It is necessary to have travel insurance, but is it necessary to have rescue insurance?

Any information would be helpful.

Neil.

 

[Glenn]

Hi Neil, my understanding is that cave rescue in France is free. The complication is if the local fire service rescue team get involved - they will treat the rescue as a fund raising exercise and attempt to get as much money out of it as possible. This came to a head last October (in the Vercors) and SSF are attempting to resolve the situation, but I don't know the current status. You will be expected to pay for all medical expenses and should the casualty require evacuation from the entrance by helicopter, you will get charged for that as well.

When are you out here?

I return to the UK on July 15th and by then will (hopefully) have completed a description of the new extension in Grotte Roche. If you want a copy, PM me your email address and I'll send you a copy.

Cheers,

Glenn
via the Speleo Vercors wifi LAN at La Jarjatte-en-Vercors
www.speleo-vercors.org

 

[damian]

FWIW that is also my understanding.

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

Thanks Glenn for the feedback on this matter.  I went to the SSF site at http://www.speleo-secours-francais.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=86 and found the following text:


Qui paye les secours ?
La loi fran?aise stipule que les secours sont gratuits en France pour le pratiquant, ? quelques exceptions pr?s.

Les collectivit?s territoriales et le CASDIS (Conseil d'Administration des Services D?partementaux d'Incendie et de Secours) assurent le r?glement des frais de secours au m?me titre que les secours routiers.

Les sommes demand?es ? l'administration par les sauveteurs du SSF lors d'une op?ration de secours sp?l?o n'ont pas d'autre but que de rembourser les frais engag?s (perte de salaire, de mat?riel, d?placements...)


This supports what  you said (not that I didn't believe you).  So what I really need to look for is insurance that would cover the cost of a rescue from the entrance of a cave.  I do believe that I can find that!  Thanks for your input.

I'll be landing in Geneva on August 14th and will be leaving on August 22nd.  We're staying at Villard de Lans.

Check your messages for my e-mail address... I'd love to have the extension description.

Yours,

Cumbrian Neil.

 

[nicoledc109]

Hi Neil, my understanding is that cave rescue in France is free. The complication is if the local fire service rescue team get involved - they will treat the rescue as a fund raising exercise and attempt to get as much money out of it as possible. This came to a head last October (in the Vercors) and SSF are attempting to resolve the situation, but I don't know the current status. You will be expected to pay for all medical expenses and should the casualty require evacuation from the entrance by helicopter, you will get charged for that as well.

When are you out here?

I return to the UK on July 15th and by then will (hopefully) have completed a description of the new extension in Grotte Roche. If you want a copy, PM me your email address and I'll send you a copy.

Cheers,

Glenn
via the Speleo Vercors wifi LAN at La Jarjatte-en-Vercors
www.speleo-vercors.org

Thanks for sharing.