How-To Guide: Desert And Remote Touring Safety
Before travelling in Australia, it’s important to remember that safety begins with preparation and a safety-first mindset.
In early 2021, a couple trying to avoid COVID-19 interstate checkpoints became lost in the South Australian outback. With no mobile coverage and minimal water, they found themselves hideously unprepared for surviving in Australia’s harsh outback conditions. After taking desperate measures to survive, the couple was found by a remote worker who noticed their ‘SOS’ sign. Sadly, these kinds of stories crop up each year and the outcomes are not always as happy.
For travellers considering holidays within Australia, or those contemplating the ‘Big Lap’, safety should be the first consideration. Australia’s dangers are well known. While snakes and spiders seem to be our most-feared features, the country’s harsh weather and treacherous roads are far more likely to bring tragedy. Planning for anything that could go wrong is not only a good way to challenge Murphy’s law, it’s the best chance you can give yourself of surviving in the great outdoors. The best way to prevent accident or tragedy is preparation. Everything you pack and plan should be intentional; there is no room for last-minute or casual decisions.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
There are three golden rules for planning a safe trip: prepare, prepare, prepare. Preparation should extend beyond route planning and packing lists. Have you planned check-in points? Have you left your itinerary with a friend or family member? What if the difference between rescue and tragedy was leaving your itinerary with your neighbour? Preparation is crucial to safe and happy travels.
One of the more obvious elements of preparation is checking your gear, trailer and towing vehicle. Is everything safe and compliant with current standards? It is always wise to have the vehicle serviced prior to a long trip, just to ensure any parts that may be on their way out are identified and replaced. Make sure you tell your mechanic about your plans because a standard service designed to get your vehicle through another six months of city driving may not be adequate for a regional or outback adventure.
Another important consideration is spare tyres, fuel and water: the ‘what-if’ items. This is largely dependent on the weight your vehicle can carry and will differ depending on the destination and length of your travels. A simple rule to follow is that you should top up your fuel whenever you can. Travelling regionally, this is not always an issue. There always seems to be a sleepy little town with a solo service station on the main road. But the further out you travel, it is essential that you fill up when you can. Consider carrying a few jerry cans if you plan to go off-road or if you’re heading to a remote town. Conserving fuel is just as essential as carrying sufficient fuel, so if you are travelling into far-flung corners of Australia, or the centre, make sure you really think about what you are taking with you. The heavier your car, the more fuel you’ll chew through, and you never know when that last 10 litres will be crucial to your survival.
Finally, make sure that you tell people where and when you are going. Check in throughout your trip at pre-planned times so that someone will raise the alarm if you suddenly go off the radar. This also ensures that your emergency contact will know roughly where you are, or should be, if you do fail to check in.
The Right Stuff
This also falls under the prepare, prepare, prepare rule. The right stuff refers to not only ensuring that you carry emergency supplies and a first aid kit, but also ensuring that the regular stuff you do have is compliant with industry and road standards. For example, are your tyres pumped up? Do they have sufficient tread? Do you have one or more spare tyres? It’s also vital to understand the capabilities of your equipment. Road quality isn’t always an issue, but if it is, you need to understand how your vehicle handles in these conditions. Motoring organisations often offer driving courses that cover situations beyond city driving. This is a good idea for those planning a holiday off the beaten track. Even if you’re planning a drive on established roads, driving requirements can differ. Make sure you know how to handle your vehicle in all conditions.
The ‘right stuff’ also includes intangibles, such as first aid knowledge. Does someone travelling with you have a first aid qualification? Even better, do two people travelling with you have a first aid qualification? You never know who will need the assistance, and it’s unlikely that a first aider can attend to their own injuries. Another important intangible is concentration, patience and rest. A tired driver is a dangerous driver, particularly on treacherous or long, monotonous roads. Take regular breaks and keep your focus sharp. When towing a vehicle at high speeds, the slightest unplanned movement can result in tragedy. So stay alert and stay alive.
A backpack survival kit is a good idea for long trips. Designed to get you through 72 hours, they should contain energy-dense food, like muesli bars or freeze-dried foods, water bottles, up-to-date maps, waterproof matches, a personal locator beacon, a fold-out shovel and first aid supplies. If you’re heading into the outback, a satellite phone would be a good addition. Mobile telephone coverage in Australia is still pretty poor and unpredictable when it comes to regional and remote areas, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. A good UHF CB radio is another potential addition. Before you leave, familiarise yourself with the emergency channels, just in case.
And remember, ‘just in case’ is the key here. Safety preparation is all about ‘just in case’!
When Murphy's Law Strikes
We all know good ol’ Murphy. If it can go wrong, it will go wrong. When Murphy strikes, there are measures you can take to improve your chances of rescue. The number one rule is do not leave your vehicle (unless of course it has been compromised by fire or other risks). Emergency services have a far greater chance of finding you if you remain with your vehicle. If you have been unable to contact emergency services and have an up-to-date map, consider if you have the resources to walk to the nearest town. Remember, in the blazing Australian heat, the average guidance of 2L a day may not be enough. It is better to stay and wait for help.
A smoke signal (fire) or a large dug-out V will attract the attention of emergency services. Just remember to do all of your digging work in the dark hours. If you are stranded in the outback, you’ll dehydrate much faster if you work in the afternoon swelter.
The average person can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water, so it goes without saying that water should be the priority in a survival situation. The truly prepared traveller will have spare water to last until rescue, but it is important to plan water collection sources before your supply runs out. Use a tarp or emergency thermal blanket to collect the morning dew, or look around for greenery. Green plants indicate that a water source is nearby (potentially underground). Whatever the case, don’t wait until you’ve run out of water before you start considering your next supply source. If you are struggling for water, resist the temptation to raid the camper fridge or pantry — food requires water for digestion so you may dehydrate further, particularly if you opt for salty or dry snacks.
Another important immediate consideration is shade. If you’re lost in the outback or desert, chances are you’re dealing with some pretty arid conditions. Minimising your sweat is as crucial as having access to water, so make sure you find or create some shade to rest under during the daylight hours. While it may be tempting to strip off, baggy clothes can help keep you cool, so resist the urge to peel off those layers. A broad-brimmed hat will also help keep you cool.
Safe Tarvels
All that said, travelling in Australia is not all risks and dangers. There is significant beauty and rich history in our States and Territories, just waiting to be explored. The camaraderie between travellers is another element of protection and a huge part of the fun of travelling. If you see a fellow traveller in need, offer your help if it’s safe to do so. You never know, the preparation you undertake may end up being used to rescue others.
So go forth and explore! Just remember to look out for yourselves and others. Happy trails!
Top survival tips if Murphy strikes
If you have a personal locator beacon, activate it immediately.
Try to contact emergency services using your mobile telephone or your UHF CB.
Remain with your vehicle unless it is unsafe to do so. Emergency services have a greater chance of finding you if you stay with your car.
Conserve your energy. Don’t walk if you don’t know where you’re going. Most tragedies occur when people leave their vehicles on an aimless search for water or rescue.
Try to find or create water sources. This can include a solar still (a container that gathers condensation on the inside from the heat and moisture outside) or using your emergency blanket to catch the morning dew.
Hydrate as much as possible and if you do walk with the assistance of a map, move at night to conserve your hydration and energy.
Have a mirror ready to signal for assistance, or hang your mirror or lights from a tree or post.
Build a fire if you have the means. This will keep you warm at night and work as a signal to would-be rescuers. Tyres burn well and release copious amounts of smoke.