Emergency Gear

in victoria i would say water coz I dought there is anywhere you could go and not be stumbled upon in a few days. Epirbs are meant to be good but you can expect a couple of days for help. 1st aid kit should contain lenghths f bandages for snakebite, large pressure bandage for bleeding and a face mask for dr abc any other situation as these are 3 things that need immediate attention other injuries can wait. It has made me think abit as a few weeks ago I visited some breakaways that still had our tyre tracks on it from 6 months ago

iMusty

Number one topic at the moment I guess.
For me it depends on what you term "an emergency".
For me its, we have done all we can now we require outside help.
Some equipment MUST be taken with you given where you intend to roam.
UHF - only good if someone is close by.
Fist aid Kit - Should be in the vehicle already.
If my terminology holds true and I need outside help. The following based on cost versus result (emergency only).
1. EPIRB
2. Sat phone
3. HF radio

Obviousley this equipment has other functions other than summoning help.
If you require a back-up system then one or more of the above would be good.

safe travelling

Wim

Planning...Preparation...Precaution

One item often overlooked is a fire extinguisher, if the vehicle burns chances are you've lost everything else, communication, food and water.

G'day Imusty,

I know Vic isn't the Cape but if you remember those people that had some unfortunate croc pop into their tent in the wee hours of the morning, their saviour was an EPIRB (and a glock but that is another story) followed closely by having someone nearby that was competant at first aide (park ranger in their case).

Consequently updated my EPIRB to one of those tiny jobs that you can carry around on you at all times (my intention after reading all the tragedies of late) and a comprehensive first aide kit (we're relatively lucky as one of our fellow travellers is a nurse - hope nothing happens to her).

In addition to that I have a sat phone, flares, hand held UHF and carry plenty of water and food - overkill - maybe, but at the end of the day they are relatively cheap insurance compared to the cost of a life.

Mate, I simple want to come home and share the experience rather than become another statistic.

Kind regards

>We realised that we need to change the order of prortity
>of some purchases. UHF, winches, Epirbs etc.

You’re going to need a damn good winch for the bus :)

>As a general rule. (assuming we have no emergency gear)
>Considering an emergency. (Mechanical or medical). What
>would you have in the Bus and in what order would you buy
>it.

Most of Victoria isn’t really a problem – parts of the high country are pretty remote but you won’t be getting into those in the bus, the north west of the state (The Mallee etc) can be tricky, especially in summer, but again you won’t be getting the bus too far off main tracks and into sand country.

Make sure you have water, simple emergency food and good bedding to keep you warm in winter (here’s where you really score with the bus because you have _loads_ of space). A decent First Aid kit (but Heidi knows all about that) a UHF CB with external antenna. A CDMA mobile is good. Maps of the area you’re in. Good shoes which you can walk 20km in (in remote regions normally stay with the vehicle) because in Vic you can usually walk out if necessary.

Mechanical breakdown in Vic would not normally be an emergency so it’s a case of using the CB or CDMA or the feet to get help. Medical issues – to be sure of finding help quickly you really need a HF set but that’s a big cost for a low(ish) risk if you only travel in Vic.

In your case, and in order, I would suggest:
1st Aid kit (naturally!)
Emergency water and food
Maps
Compass (get a good one – boat types are good)
Ambulance cover
GPS
CDMA mobile
UHF CB
Hand held UHF CB
EPIRB
Good tow chain
HF radio

I’m assuming you carry basic spares for the bus, a toolkit, spade etc.

I suggest the hand held CB because if the bus has broken down in the bottom of a valley the vehicle CB will probably only do 3 or 4km with a hand held you can climb to the top of the valley and reach 20, 30, 40???km

Of course what you should really do is get an Amateur Radio Licence then you’d have a _whole range_ of frequencies you could use :) And, best of all, you could chat to Mad Dog and me :)

A very good book for survival techniques in Oz is:
Australian Bush Survival Skills
By Kevin Casey
Kimberley Publications, Qld
ISBN 0 9587628 1 3

My copy lives in my map case and always travels with me.

Mike Harding

I think you have missed the point altogether.

You say that you need to change the order of priority of your purchases.

I think you should first stop and think of the situation that you seem to imply that you place yourself in.
"And I will not hesitate to go up a moderate 4by track."

This implies to me that you are placing yourself and your vehicle in a situation that neither is built for nor prepared to handle.
You probably have no training to handle the situation that you may enter, you have a vehicle that is not built to handle that situation, "Why go there in the first place?"

The track is listed as 4wd only for a very good reason and the fact that you carry specific equipment that may assist with your rescue or recovery is beside the point.

Commonsense and more than likely the law dictates that you should not even be there.
If you do get into difficulties then you should consider that you may also be exposing someone else to potential risk in having to rescue or recover you.

So why does the level of equipment you carry make it any safer? when you have not addressed the first issues.

If you read the relevant posts about those two souls lost in WA you will note that the main point is listed as ill equipped to handle the situation they entered, EG Old poorly equipped vehicle, lack of fuel, water etc etc and sadly lack of commonsense in the first place.

Complacency kills or injures so many in our society, The "It won't happen to me" attitude or "Shill be right" is quite often the root cause of most problems.

Hi other emergancys can arrise when you are not in or near the 4x4 ,a small bum pack with a few esentuals may save your life , as said before it can get cold over your way , you can buy compact survival blankets that can double as many things ,these fold up and would fit inside your top pocket ,there are many more "mini" items you can fit in a small pack tha can go with you each time you leave the 4x4 ,have a look at the SAS / army emergency kits that fit in a smokes tin .I have a small kit that goes with me if I know I will be away from the 4x4 including a bandage for snake bit .

Hello iMusty

As a helicopter pilot I have been involved in Search And Rescue and Medical Evacuations for about 38 years . All the advice given so far is good , but for when you are in real trouble , Wim has the most pertinent . In Victoria your EPIRB has good satelite coverage and good helicopter rescue and medical rescources .BIAS BOATING WAREHOUSE , www.biasboating .com au , will sell a personal EPIRB for $238.90 .There are some limitations to EPIRBs including reduced performance due terrain shielding but in most situations they enable rapid life saving response .Your helicopter rescue and medical service is provided free . Lastly , do not concern yourself about risk to your rescuers . They are trained and equipped to handle EPIRB response .What really concerns helicopter crews is when they are called out in dangerous conditions to search large areas on a cold trail.

Hi Musty

I think everyone has put forward ideas on the items you should carry, these are some items you dont carry but need;
- Plan your trip.
- Tell some one where you are planning on going and when you think you should be back
- Ambluance cover is a must, its something like an $8000 helicopter ride from the hgh country

Not sure if anyone else has said maps, but add that to the list of things to carry.

with what everyone has listed, you will need that bus hahaha

Crazie

James,

The order which I would purchase the initial five necessary appurtenances for your Coaster would be as follows;
a) First aid kit and the appropriate training for BOTH of you. This is number one on my list for the simple reason that damage to the body can be really, really bad for your health and therefore the quickest way to get into a life threatening situation
b) An EPIRB for when the best laid plans of mice and men simply do not work
c) UHF communications fixed in the vehicle as well as a decent handheld to alert someone to the fact that situation a) has occured and that help is required
d) Food, water and clothing with the ability to keep your body temperature at its usual level for an extended period wherever you may be
e) Basic spare parts for the bus and recovery gear to facilitate self-sufficiency in the event of a minor breakdown or if you over estimate the capabilities of your vehicle

Enjoy your travels in your own inimatable way and disregard any inimical four wheel drive owners.

Hi James

Click on my Rig Pic and read the stuff I carry.

It takes a while to collect everything and I still do not have an EPIRB.
It is next on the must purchase list.

The most important aspect of travel in Australia is WATER. Without that you could expire in a very short time!

In which order you acquire your stuff is up to you but Vehicle recovery equipment and Communciations equipment is a must to start off with(that is I am assuming you carry necessary vehicle spares and tools).

Have fun getting it all together whilst going Out There !

James, for a safety fanatic how about one of these

Hello Mike

I have been in the Pilbara for 9 years so I am out of touch with the VIC scene.In the past rescue helicopters didnt carry CB . Most rescues were for walkers and no vehicles in the area.Now ,with the increased numbers of CB equipped vehicles in remote areas there is probably a case for CB in the helicopter.In the Pilbara we carry SES crew with hand held CB .