Bushwalk Safety/Medical/Rescue FAQ.
(the following information is general in nature and may not be suitable for your specifc circumstance. Use your own judgement. Use this information at your own risk)
Topics
Before you go
What to take on a bushwalk (absolute essentials)
What to do if unsure of your location in the bush/wilderness
Contact emergency services for rescue if
Emergency numbers in Austraila
Mobile Phones
PLB – Personal Locator Beacon
Snake bite
Spider bite
Allergic reaction leading to anaphylactic shock
Injuries and other medical symptoms
Some common dangers in the bush
Before you go
- Familiarise yourself with the walk route and make sure you can read the map you are carrying. Give a copy of the route to your family or friend. Tell them what time you are expected back.
- Check the weather service and the local fire service (to see if any fires are in the area). Check the park authority for any closures. You don’t want to arrive and find the walk area is closed
- Remember to respect the enviroment by carrying out all rubbish. Do not leave spare food for other walkers. Do not cut down living trees for firewood/bushcrafting
- Water. On hot days for full day walks you may require more than 3Ls. Even on a cool day for a half day walk 500mls is not enough if you have no other source of water.
- In your backpack carry: Mobile phone, Map and compass, (a PLB is strongly suggested), rainjacket, warm jacket, lightweight first aid kit including blister treatment, food, Heat reflective emergency blanket. Whistle/bright item of clothing/loud voice -to attract attention if lost, needing help etc.
- Wear: Light weight comfortable clothing appropriate for the conditions. Hat! Lightweight comfortable athletic/outdoor shoes you have walked in extensively before (or lightweight outdoor boots if you prefer but generally not needed).
- Stop:As soon as you realize your uncertain of your approximate location: stop, stay calm, stay put. Panic is your greatest enemy.
- Think:Go over in your mind how you got to where you are. Look at your map. What landmarks should you be able to see? Are you still on the track? Get your compass/map and determine the directions of landmarks based on where you think you are located.
- Plan: Based on your thinking and observations, come up with an approximate location of your present position and a route to another (safe and known) location that is easy to identify (it could be the carpark or a trail sign) If you are still not sure of your approximate present postion and route to the safe location then you are likely lost.
- If you determine you are lost you should strongly consider contacting emergency services. If your lost stay in your present location or move to a nearby more easily visible(from the air) location. Use bright clothing/mirror/whistle/voice to attract attention.
- You or a member or your walking party is lost
- Significantly injured to the degree you cannot safely self evacuate
- are bitten by a snake or venomous spider
- 000 is the standard emergency number for Australia. 000 can be called from any mobile phone and landline. It may (but is not guaranteed) to work from VOIP internet telephone services such as skype.
- 112 is the international digital mobile phone emergency number. It will connect you to 000 and can be used as an alternative. It is not any faster than calling 000 directly. 112 can only be used from a digital mobile phone.
- Using SMS (text) to contact emergency services. As a last resort if the mobile phone reception is inadequate for a call to connect then its possible to use the SMS service provided by the National Relay Service. A relay operator will receive your sms and then contact emergency service on your behalf. Information on how to use the service is located here -
-https://relayservice.gov.au/making-a-call/emergency-calls/ They also have a helpful video
https://youtu.be/QwM2RMRy0dM/
Keep in mind that this service is designed for hearing/speech impaired people so using it for the alternate purpose of contacting emergency services while bushwalking is not what it was designed for and it should only be used as a last resort. - In an emergency situation you can use the following App to display your current location co-ordinates on your gps equipped mobile phone. It will work without a data connection however you will not be able to call emergency services and give them the co-ordinates (in an emergency situation) if you do not have a mobile phone signal/reception at that time. A PLB does not have this limitation. (see below section) APP - http://emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au/
- Be aware you may not have mobile phone coverage in the area you are walking. Especially in valleys (even if close to a town).
- If coverage is weak, your phone battery will be used up much quicker due to the extra power required to maintain a weak signal and/or search for a signal.
- When walking switch your phone off and only use in an emergency. If you must use your phone (to take a picture etc) then keep it on flight mode for the duration of the walk as this will conserve the battery.
- The GPS (and bluetooth) use significant battery, be sure to turn on only when actively using. Then turn off.
- These are small and lightweight devices (typically under 300 grams). They can be used in any location worldwide. They do not require a mobile phone signal/reception as they use the global satellite system to track and locate activations. This system provides 24 hour coverage across the globe.
- When a PLB is activated a signal will be sent to the nearest rescue co-ordination centre which will organise a rescue response to the location of the PLB. The PLB Location beacon transmits its location with an accuracy of up to 100 metres.
- PLB signals require a satellite to have line of sight to the PLB device. So be aware that that if the PLB is located in a valley or a forested area it may take more time for the signal to get through (up to several hours). If the PLB device is located at a high point such as a hill or cliff top it has many more opportunities to have line of sight to multiple satellites and therefore the signal can get through much more quickly. (potentially within a few minutes)
- In some geographic locations especially countries with limited Search and Rescue (SAR) resources a SAR response may take a long time(hours/days) to arrive.
- A PLB will not work in a cave or anywhere there is no view or an extremely limited view of the sky. Activate the PLB at a nearby location with clearest view of the sky possible.
- A PLB only works when activated. This is done at the time of the emergency. (not at the start of the walk)
- You can borrow a PLB free of charge from some NSW Police stations (blue mtns) and its possible to hire in other locations around Australia.
- A snake bite should always be treated as a venomous bite. Several snakes in Australia can cause death in under a few hours if they bite you. (and you fail to receive adequate first aid/seek medical treatment)
If bitten by a snake or strongly suspect you have been bitten.
- remove yourself/patient several metres from the snakes location/danger
- Immediately wrap the bitten limb/body part with a compression bandage as this will slow the venom travelling through your system. Suggested bandage – Setopress. This is a specially designed bandage with indicators guiding the correct amount of compression(tightness of wrap). Most chemists can order this in for you. It costs $12-20. A splint can be useful to prevent limb movement.
- Activate your PLB. (alternatively, if in mobile coverage call 000 and ask for police.)
- Do not move. Moving will rapidly increase the opportunity for venom to travel through your body and reach critical areas. (which could cause loss of life).
- A snake bite will not always be visible as the tips of some snake fangs are like pin pricks/small. It can be painless.
- If you see a snake lunge for you and the snake head impact your body assume you have bitten even if you cannot see or feel a bite.
- Gaiters may provide some protection against lower leg snake bites however there is limited evidence to support this other than theory.
- Do not wash the bite site. As venom on skin may help identification and appropriate treatment once patient has been transferred to hospital.
- Several spiders in Australia can cause death in under a few hours if they bite you.(and you fail to receive adequate first aid/ seek medical treatment)
- The most dangerous spiders include.
- Funnel web spider (images: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_funnel-web_spider)
- Red back spider (images: https://australianmuseum.net.au/redback-spider)
- Mouse spider (https://australianmuseum.net.au/mouse-spiders) - If bitten by spiders that look like a funnel web or mouse spider treat as for snake bite. Immediately apply compression bandage, don’t move and contact emergency services for medical evacuation.
- Red back spider: it is not optimal to use a compression bandage as it increases the pain from the bite and the red back spider venom moves slowly. Source: https://australianmuseum.net.au/redback-spider . If bitten, dont move and contact emergency services for medical evacuation. - Do not wash the bite site. As venom on skin may help identification and appropriate treatment once patient has been transferred to hospital.
- If you or a member of your party has a severe allergic reaction. (potentially caused by insect bite/ reaction to pollen or plants, food or other cause)
- The first signs of an anaphylactic reaction may look like typical allergy symptoms: a runny nose or a skin rash. But within about 30 minutes, more serious signs appear.
- There is usually more than one of these serious signs: Coughing ; wheezing; and pain, itching, or tightness in your chest ; Fainting, dizziness, confusion, or weakness ; Hives; a rash; and itchy, swollen, or red skin ; Runny or stuffy nose and sneezing ; Shortness of breath or trouble breathing and rapid heartbeat ; Swollen or itchy lips or tongue ; Swollen or itchy throat, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, tightness in your throat ; Vomiting, diarrhea, or cramps ; Weak pulse, paleness
- What to do – Keep patient calm and comfortable as possible. Ask if the affected individual has an EpiPen (Epinephrine). People with severe allergies will often carry one. Apply EpiPen on patient’s instruction or on advice from emergency services.
- Consider contacting emergency services depending on severity of symptoms. If a EpiPen is used then definitely contact emergency services.
Injuries and other medical symptoms.
- Take a first aid course to learn how to respond to various injuries/medical symptoms.
- If you cannot safely self evacuate consider contacting emergency services for evacuation.
- Pay attention to foot placement. Slippery/unstable rocks, uneven surfaces and ground level sticks can cause a fall or injury.
- Watch for face level branches – These can injure your eye/face. Don’t walk close behind someone as a branch may spring back and hit you.
- Respect heights. Don’t move quickly around clifftops/high places. Watch out for moss/wet rock which can cause you to slip. Don’t dislodge rocks, you don’t know who is in the valley below you.
- Do not wade across a waterway unless you have experience in doing so or are with someone who has experience and knows the correct safety precautions. Do not wade cross a waterway that is in flood or moving swiftly.
- Be aware of overhanging branches when pitching a tent. There is a chance (though unlikely) they could fall during the night due to wind or temperature fluctuations. Pitch your tent in an area with open sky above you if possible.
- Be careful around fires. Always completely extinguish a fire before leaving. If the dirt in a fireplace or the remaining wood is still hot, the fire is not out. Always obey fire bans.
Its strongly recommended to delve beyond the basic FAQ listed above.
There is alot of great information in various topics in the forum. Information like 'what should you include in a first aid kit', what should you pack for a overnight walk, what are suggested foods to eat while bushwalking , Day and multiday walk suggestions for all areas of Australia etc etc. Forum search box is your friend
There is also a great many additional suggestions and information in the comments below. Well worth a read.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the FAQ!