Professional Offroad Rescue/Recovery

I didn't think they'd come out to deep dark places in the high country requiring 4WD access?

They may well do Zachary Quack, but you will get the bill for the distance outside the policy towing range. The advantage is that where ever you are, they should know where to source the nearest recovery; something you could never know for every town.

Yes it is actually more the family extraction I'm concerned about, we're stocked up with comms gear and recovery gear plus emergency food etc. It's just more about worst case scenario, I'll get the vehicle out eventually but it's the family I'm more concerned about.

Got one, like I said communications isn't the problem, it's a case of who to call if my usual options aren't available.

I wondered if I’d get this sort of reply, thanks for the parenting advice but I think I’m allowed to make my own decisions about how I parent my children. We have as a society become very risk adverse, combine that with the fact that the vast majority of children (and adults for that matter) have never left the city and any bush experience they have is in a very controlled environment and I can’t help feel we are now missing a lot from our children’s experiences.

IMHO the very small risk is worth the benefit it brings to them, I refuse to be told that my children should be raised in cotton wool, there are huge physical and mental benefits to be gained by taking children camping and I do not consider camping to be sitting in a tent amongst 1000 other tents at the likes of Wilson’s Prom etc. They should be able to see the stars, hear the noises of the bush, smell the bush and all the other wonderful reasons we go out there, if I want to take them to a holiday park I’ll go to the Gold Coast.

We are in reality very well prepared and I’m just looking for a back up to my back up, I consider this to be responsible planning. We’re only planning 1-2 nighters not too far out for the next few years and by the time we increase that distance and time we’ll have a second 4wd in the family.

I’ve asked a fairly simple question and I’m not going to debate my parenting choices, if you wish to debate the issue of taking children into the bush then I’d appreciate it if you start a separate thread. Frankly I’d be a lot more concerned with the risk to my kids from driving in the car, camping near and swimming in a lake and being around camp fires, a lot more people get injured/die from those activities than they ever did being stranded in a 4WD.

Cheers Zachary
This concept of added danger is a myth. I know of families that have raised their children on the road touring Australia and another family who did the same on a boat and they have developed into beautiful well rounded individuals
Children are born and raised in remote locations and they do just fine.

Take the necessary precautions like you have and just get out there and do it, the benefits far outweigh any disadvantages

Zachary ... I really don't think rooster350's comment required your somewhat self-righteous lengthy pious response. I read his comment as more pointing to risks of a possibly inexperienced offroader taking family beyond a point of 4WD competence. In itself, an exceptionally valuable piece of advice to keep in mind.

Let's all stay friends on this site. We are all here to help each other and for the common good of 4WD and Offroad touring

Zachary,

I was composing a response as I read your reply to rooster but I think NeilM has pretty much covered it.

Ask a question on a public forum by all means but be adult enough to expect some advice you may not agree with. No need to get all bent out of shape about it.

Maybe part of your thorough preparations should be notifying a responsible friend or family member about just where you are planning to take your family for a camping experience and when you will be returning.
I'm assuming you and your partner have done first aid courses and the additional remote area component.
You know, just in case.
As you already have your comms requirements nailed you would know that emergency services will come to the rescue in case of things really going pear shaped.
As for getting your vehicle out afterwards, surely you and a couple of mates could go back and drag it out after your family is safe.

I found Rooster's comments a little offensive, they basically suggested that it was irresponsible to take a young family off road and we should stick to formal and safe camp sites. I find this both offensive and an attitude I disagree with for the reasons I posted about.

If I offended then I apologise for the tone but not the content of my reply.

I agree with Zachary - his original post was quite clear about what he was asking and as far as I can see there has only been one response re the RACV that is even relevant.

Always happens on these forums and this one in particular. People want to lecture on irrelevant material or answer the question that they prefer was asked not the one that was asked.

To respond to the original question, I don't think that there is an organisation that exists that provides the service you want. The RACV will do it if you are on a road with 2wd access but other than that I would suggest maybe something that is cobbled together before each trip - for example if you were in a 4wd club or something similar organising a few members before hand to come and get you. If I 4wd by myself locally I have a few of my club members numbers in my speed dial.

While there may be a professional outfit out there I dont know of one and I guarantee that if you had to use them it would be expensive.

Garry

Zachary Quack, your a knob mate.

You came here with a post about "professional recovery"..yet bleat when people may suggest be smart enough to not get stuck without your recovery and safety options accounted for.

You seem to selectively be accountable in some areas of safety and security, but to expect a "professional" outfit to be available/purchasable to help you if you screw up or misjudge your own actions or natures own, them you are a fool.


'Professional" agencies when summoned will be direct in 1 action...1 action mate, preservation of life, they will come to save your kids, your wife, your family and friends, even you, but your vehicle and ego won't be in the equation, it will come a distant 2nd and 3rd, and are for you to sort out. They won't be interested.
RACV, RACQ, NRMA and a host of towies will..at a cost probably.

As suggested, get some education, 1st aid, sat phone, epirb, spot, red hankies, hook up with others if your afraid, otherwise..
caveat viator ....Let the traveller beware.

Chin up mate, you posted your query up on a public forum..that doesn't give you the right to veto genuine responses as offensive unless you have a glass chin...or do you...?

Wholehog if you go back and read his post again I think you will find that you have completely misunderstood what he is on about.

The guy is doing the right thing and investigating and establishing a plan if things do go wrong.

It is a fair question to ask whether he should be ringing his mate bluey at the pub or is there someone more professional available to assist, what is foolish about that?

Save your insults for those that go out completely unprepared with no coms or recovery gear and no backup plan and I will call them a knob with you

Thank you Alby.

Wholehog I'm not even going to bother replying, reread my original post, calm down and try again.

Wholehog I think you have shown who the Knob is :-)

Sorry guys, but all of this agro is why I don't use exploroz too much anymore, and today only out of curiosity. Sick of mud slinging and the trolls

Hey Guys (and Girls) - What did I say on 26 January ...... ? "Let's all stay friends on this site. We are all here to help each other and for the common good of 4WD and Offroad touring" Acting like silly children and calling each other names is daft and regrettably, it discourages experienced Members and others with sound knowledge from participating in our Forums ... to the detriment and loss for those who are looking for good advice. Let's just grow up and act like sensible adults. Put aside your egos and sensitivities ... for the sake of healthy debate !!

I wonder if people were as quick to slag off Len Beadell when he took Connie Sue out?

Have to agree with this
On two occasions I have been towed out by a fellow traveller to a recognised road and then NRMA has taken over from there offering free accomodation or a hire vehicle for my family and towing back to my home for repairs all as part of the service.

Definitely worth having

I like the Help button for non-life threatening assistance.

We have now nominated our two adult kids to be the help and SOS contacts. We explained what it was about and how it worked.
We press the OK button each day when we stop to set up camp. If we find we need help or send an SOS the kids know where we are and we not stuck in the middle of nowhere without anyone knowing where we are.

Steve

Thanks, I've heard of SPOT but never looked into it. I'll check it out as a back up comms option.

There seems to be a large volume of people suggesting a call to the SES. The very great majority of SES members are volunteers (for example they do not get any recompense for their time and expenses incurred whilst assisting people) who have life of their own too. They do not need to put their lives on hold to assist those who have not prepared adequately for their trip. Remember that lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. Don't regard the free service given by SES as a right - it is a life saving service not a vehicle rescue service. Get your insurance sorted out and have a nice trip.

Rusty

Hi Hoyks, thanks some sensible advice, especially re. the insurance company, IIRC my aquaitance who got into trouble and had to use professional offroad recovery accessed them through his insurance company.

Hi Rusty, yes I think you make a very valid point and the emergency services are just that emergency and a last resort if life is in danger. That's really why I'm curious re. the professional recovery companies, if I'm stuck and can't get out then unless it's life threatening it's up to me to pay the money and get out. (after I've exhausted all other options that don't cost me $$$$$ :-)

As experienced or not as you have presented, maybe have a read here before you diss the HF radio and sat phone with sim card theory...then do some more googling research.

sat phone-sim card / HF radio

Sorry I don't follow the point you're making?

Thanks, do you know if this is only in the event of a crash (i.e. you're going to make a claim for damage) or if you bog it or break down as well?

as TCIS are brokers they use a range of insurers, probably best you contact them and discuss your needs.

Yep that's basically what I'm asking, the options after you've tried yourself, called your mates but no-ones home but it's not serious enough to warrant calling the emergency services.

Phone number is 0889521087


http://www.outbackvehiclerecovery.com.au/ovr.html

Thanks for that Andy. I have bookmarked those guys.

After reading the many and varied responses to Zac's original post it occurred to me that there just might be a business opportunity for someone with the necessary knowledge and equipment. It looks like it has already occurred to this mob.
Probably not a bad "add on" for someone in the tag along or general remote area tour business.
Maybe even a JIM'S RECOVERY type of franchise setup to cover where and if there are areas they are not doing already.

Considering the amount of traffic into "remote" areas these days.

Just a thought..(;=))

Cheers
Pop

There is one based in Moe or Morwell to cater for Mt BawBaw area can't remember name but also offers a taxi type service to Mt BawBaw

After reading the original post again, I am under the impression that you will be only doing day trips, as you are requiring help ASAP, meaning you are not setup for overnight stay. I hope I am wrong. Anyone going for a day trip should have equipment to spend a night in the bush in case of a breakdown, bog or flood.
Most recovery vehicles can only take 2 people with the recovered car. So extracting all the people in the car at the same time will be a challenge.

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the info re. Outback Recovery Service, I'll look into it.

No we're going for overnight trips, owing to the age of the kids we'll only be doing 1-2 nights to start with and then building as they get older and get bored less easily (great in theory I know ;-)

Whenever we go bush (went bush in the past I mean) we always took comms gear (whatever was appropriate), recovery kit and emergency food and water even if it was a day trip. I'm determined not to end up on channel 7 news with a humourless policeman using my story to remind people to take more than a mobile phone into the bush :-)