Autumn has brought a spate of wilderness rescues, with police responding to 11 incidents in April.
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As the colder weather hits, keeping safe in remote areas is increasingly important.
So how do you keep safe and avoid a dangerous situation in the bush?
Preparedness
Tasmania Police Inspector in charge of Northern Search and Rescue Darren Hopkins said preparation is key to ensuring a safe trip.
“Other than injury preparedness will keep us out of work,” he said.
“Tell someone where you’re going exactly, stick with it and have a … time that you are expected back out and if you dont come back out what to do.”
Being aware of changing weather and preparing for the worst case scenario is also important Inspector Hopkins said.
Taking enough to keep yourself safe if you’re forced to spend the night out is a good idea. Inspector Hopkins said for a day walk he will take shelter, warm clothing, wet weather gear, torch and food.
“Be prepared that you might be heading off on a beautiful sunny day but you could be in five inches of snow [later], which could end up having you stuck in a hut for three or four days, so be prepared for that as well.”
Equipment
Part of preparing for the worst case scenario is making sure you have appropriate and adequate equipment like wet weather gear, warm clothing, thermals, torch and food and steering clear of cold fabrics like cotton and jeans.
Inspector Hopkins said people will often get delayed on their walk, find themselves in the dark and without a torch unable to move.
“Just carrying a torch is a simple thing, even if it does get dark I can still walk out,” he said.
Inspector Hopkins said mobile phones are an increasingly a useful device in the wilderness. The GPS in most smartphones will record your location, making it easier for police to find you if something does go wrong.
Inspector Hopkins recommends installing the Emergency + app, which provides all the emergency numbers and clearly and easily display your latitude and longitude to report to searchers.
He said people should also take a battery back-up.
“If you’re relying on that and it goes flat you’re stuffed so always take another power source.”
Planning
Planning the specific walk you are doing and making sure it is appropriate for your level of fitness and experience can also help keep you out of trouble Inspector Hopkins said.
“Make sure you are physically fit and capable of undertaking the trek that you are planning … make sure your level of confidence and competence matches the path you’re going,” he said.
Being familiar with the trail can help avoid confusion that can arise from maps with conflicting trails marked on them, Inspector Hopkins said getting some local advice and knowledge will fill in details and can be invaluable.
He recommends speaking to the park rangers, the local walking club, referring to the internet or books for this local advice.
Sometimes despite best intentions trouble has a way of finding you. So what do you do if you find yourself in trouble?
Stay warm and Dry
Inspector Hopkins said it is important to stay warm and dry. Proper preparation will ensure you have the equipment to do so.
Also, if relying on a mobile phone it is important to conserve battery life.
“Don’t go sitting there talking to mum for half an hour because quite often when we get the call and we try to ring back the battery has gone flat,” Inspector Hopkins said.
Stay put
Inspector Hopkins’ chief advice is to stay where you are.
“The further you go then the further you are from where you were last known,” he said.
“Statistically most people are found within a certain distance of where they've last been seen so where you were last seen is where we will start looking.”
Bad weather can also mean there is a delay in researchers getting to you.
“If it is bad weather it could be the next day or the day after before someone gets there, but there’s no point in moving around, stay where you are and we’ll get there.”
Make yourself visible
Using any brightly coloured things you have with you and finding a clear point where a helicopter will be able to see you can help attract searchers Inspector Hopkins said.
“Ideally stay where you are but then make yourself visible as well,” he said.
Self rescue
Inspector Hopkins said if possible, self rescue is also an option.
“If people become lost overnight they generally get a bit exhausted and they get disorientated and they start panicking but when they sit down have a bit of a rest and then the sun comes up and they ... can start to think a bit more rationally,” he said.
“Generally by 10 o'clock people have found themselves.”
Inspector Hopkins said the support of State Emergency Service volunteers is integral to the successful rescues and searches they complete, and is grateful for their help.