SunnyDave, your answer implies that everyone knows the dangers of mountain terrains and the weather surrounding them. They don't.
It may have been a lovely summers day down at glen nevis. The boys may not have known the dangers. I myself have been half way up a mountain and turned back due to conditions. There is no shame admitting that the weather is turning for the worst so you need to retreat.
However not everyone knows this, or feels that it is OK to turn back. And if they do, sometimes they're already in a position where they need help. As I said.. Accidents happen, you can sometimes find yourself off the path, and it's important when doing so to know what actions to take, and not to be worried about what the general public think or the volunteers when they're rescuing you. Life and death has no price.