There is risk in everything, and as people crave excitement they will always gravitate towards taking bigger risks. Organized events should carry some "duty of care" and most do. Race events usually have firefighters and first aid/paramedics available.

Trans Atlantic singlehanded racers have been a problem, but most countries accept Air Sea Rescue as being an International obligation without cost. Spain discussed billing a Canada for a medevac at sea, and were interested in going after cost recovery for Medevacs until we (Canada) pointed out that we Medevac far more Spanish fishermen from the Flemish Cap fishing grounds than they Medevac Canadians off their coasts; and would they like us to bill them for the service? They declined to charge of course.

The average cost for a Hercules and a Cormorant Helicopter during a long range Medevac (4 to 6 hours) is $6000 an hour per aircraft. The average Cuban sailor is paid $14 a week; and most third world sailors a few hundred a month. Some shipping companies would throw a person overboard rather than foot the bill for a Medevac.....

Food for thought?