Remote area breakdown/recovery ?

If you have not done so already join up with the HF Radio mob VKS737. They will probably be able to assist you by contacting others in the area should you have the misfortune to break down somewhere remote. $77.00 per year to join as a member. Cheap insurance.

World Assist are now known as Mondial and no longer offer remote area assist to new clients.

For accident in remote area a satphone with RFDS no.s programmed in is a good option. For breakdowns that you cant fix (this is where the tools/spares/nous inventory proves handy) a "sit down and wait" policy is often the go.If things dont look that good , a big cloud of black smoke can be seen for miles and will usually arouse someones curiosity (I dont mean burn the vehicle though!) But the satphone can come in handy again there too!
We often listen (only) to VKs737 they have an excellent network, but the transceivers are not infallible.

An EPIRB may be one way to go... I would only activate it in an emergency and if you were off the beaten track with no alternative ie someone wasnt going to come your way..

An EPIRB should only be used when there is an immediate threat to life, not a vehicle breakdown.

As Willem said Footloose, we at VKS737 will provide communications assistance to ANYONE who is in difficulty (not just members) - we are obliged of course to draw the line on expending members' funds (long distance phone calls) to assist non-members IF the problem is simply "inconvenience" as opposed to genuine diffculty. Members can of course expect expect our full attention for all manner of circumstances. Re your main point of the post, in my view, it goes like this:
1. If you break down in a remote spot (one that is not on a regularly graded road, you will probably wear some, or all of the cost of getting out......but.......
2. As a member, you could call VKS737 and we will try your roadside service people for an answer.... we can advise you on their offer.
3. Regardless of what the roadside assist people are prepared to do, we can arrange for one of the outback recovery service providers to quote on a rescue (they might well go into the difficult places, but it costs of course).
Overall, if travelling with others in even a small convoy, self recovery is much more likely. Travelling solo, it pays to be prepared for the high cost of paying someone per K, for many K's !

Footy,

Coming from western Qld, in remote area, my thoughts are this. Most outback towns now seem to have a tilt-tray truck, or trailer, and will no doubt recover you, for a price!!! There are also the specialist recovery firms, think one in Alice is Outback Recovery(advert on Imparja TV).

Also coming from station background, I'd be surprised if most, if not all, station managers would do something to help you, unless you proved to be a Richard Cranium, or had been totally unprepared, as suggested by Peter above. Even the use of welder, couple of spare tyres, a tube or a few litres of water, might be all you'll need.

Being accompanied by the Missus and Kids would almost guarantee some assistance from anyone, but if you've been ill-prepared, then be ready for an earful.

Hooroo...

Thanks guys. I should of mentioned that I'm an experienced solo bush traveller that has been lucky enough to never require assistance. So far ! Despite having Hf for longer than 737 has existed :) I'm a member. And I carry an epirb, recovery and tyre gear etc and enough food and water to be able to wait it out.

I might also add that I'm a bush traveller rather than a bush terrorist. If passing close to a remote property I've been known to ring ahead and ask if they would like me to carry anything from town for them, a guesture that could be repeated by others to counteract the 4wd terrorists that give us all a such bad name.

The idea of having to pay thousands of dollars for a truck to come and get me doesn't turn me on, although it's always a possibility. It's a very big country and I'd be looking at a lot of money.
I thought there might be more options around than world assist. Apparently not. Anyway many thanks to those who took the effort to contribute.
Cheers
Jim