France has free chopper rescues from, well anywhere, no questions asked (the line between uninformed decision and negligence can be pretty blurry especially if

France has free chopper rescues from, well anywhere, no questions asked (the line between uninformed decision and negligence can be pretty blurry especially if a lot of cash/criminal charges are floating around). There are cases of inexperienced climbers (one I know from Poland) where reluctance to call chopper in critical situation due to worries of costs (plus losing the face) cost 3 young guys lives. Too many like these. Chopper rescues in alps are in almost daily order (especially in winter in places like Vallee Blanche, best and longest of-piste in Europe). A friend of mine was rescued like this in Calanques next to Marseille after she broke her feet after climbing accident. Chopper was called due to inaccessible terrain, and she had a cool ride hanging from chopper by harness over Mediterranean sea.