Safety
Responsibilities
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- The walk leader is responsible for the safety measures employed before and during a walk. This means describing the walk, guiding the group on the correct path, not getting lost or losing any member of the group.
- Each individual is responsible for their own food, water, preparation and equipment, there are documents on this Web Site to guide you. The mid-week booking call is the ideal opportunity to determine the walk requirements, if you are not told, ask.
- The leader should warn members of and avoid hazards such as cliff edges, slippery tracks, dangerous trees, and the nature of the terrain when you book in.
- It is not adviseable to walk in high winds, high temperatures over 28 Deg C, bushfire areas, areas made slippery by heavy rains and areas placed out of bounds by National Parks. Under these conditions the walk may be cancelled.
Water
The minimum amount of water to carry on all but the easiest of bushwalks is 2 litre.
Rejection
The leader may refuse to take a person who fitness to complete the walk is questionable or if the walkers is / has:
- Asthmatic and not carrying Ventolin.
- a heart condition - needs medication.
- a disability which may affect the overall walk.
- Susceptible to fits.
- other condition which may not be acceptable on a bushwalk
This information should be conveyed to the leader when booking in mid-week .
Group Procedures
- The leader usually walks in front
- The minimum size group is four, this includes the leader and 3 others, two walkers and the leader carrying an EPIRB tracking device is acceptable.
- An experienced person should be place at the rear to monitor the progress of the group.
- Carry a means of communication ie whistles or radios, two short blasts then repeat for emergencies.
- Inform the leader if you need to stop for any reason.
- A head count should be taken regularly, track junctions or open areas are ideal for this purpose.
- If a walker is missing, check with the rest of the group to establish where the walker was last seen.
- To locate the walker, retrace your steps to that point checking any alternative ways they may have gone.
- If the missing person is not found in a reasonable time, eg 1 hour, leave markers at the point last seen and note the map location.
- Obtain help (report to the police or other search group such as Wilderness Rescue).
Slower Members
- The group must not travel faster than the slowest person.
- Slow members must not be left behind.
- Members should advise the leader if they are experiencing difficulty or the pace is too fast and they feel stressed.
Be alert
Watch for signs of stress. If anyone shows signs, such as feeling faint, breathing difficulties etc, inform the leader, stop and rest until they recover, then continue at a slower pace. If in doubt - STOP!
Injuries
Injuries should be treated by a qualified first aider if possible. If casualty can't continue then two capable people should go for help. It may be adviseable to cancel the walk and return to the start point if the injury is a minor ankle / leg injury which may deteriorate as the walk progresses.
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Wilderness Rescue
For emergency contact, use this pager.
Phone 132 222, ask for pager number 6277 321 and leave a brief message including a return phone number. One of their personnel will phone you back.
REMEMBER! Safety First.
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| Bushwalking Safety Tips (do's & dont's) for the Australian Environment
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| Safe Bushwalking Habits to Adopt
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To Links Page
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Do!....
- Give the complete bushwalk route details of "where" you are going to close relatives or friends, police or your club (intentions form / safety officer).
- Tell them "when" you are "leaving" and "returning" and anyone's special medical conditions eg diabetes, asthma, heart condition etc.
- Notify them of your. "safe return".
- Take the correct "map" and "compass" and know how to use them.
- Use appropriate clothing / footwear, always take a "windproof" or "waterproof" jacket and clothing that can keep you "warm when wet" eg wool and definitely "Not" jeans.
- Take waterproof "matches" and some "spare" cold food eg salami, sweets, nuts.
- Stop at "regular intervals" to rest your team, every hour and "packs off" for 5 / 10 minutes "slows" the onset of fatigue (old army trick).
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Don't!....
- Over estimate your abilities to complete a bushwalk, refer to the grades, always "allow" time for the unexpected eg thick scrub, cliff lines.
- Go faster than the slowest member of your group. At regular intervals do a "head" count of your group.
- Split up your walking group (except for below) during the trip, there is "safety" in numbers.
- Leave an injured person "alone" in the bush. A walking group of "three" or more will allow one to look after the injured while the other goes for help.
- Keep moving when lost, find a campsite nearby with water that will be visible from a helicopter. Wave vigorously at any helicopters - they are probably looking for you!
- Forget if you are "overdue" to "phone" home from the "first" phone box/police station you come to.
- Walk with less than "four" unless you are carrying an "EPIRB" then "three" are adequate.
- Wait at track intersections to "ensure" that bushwalkers lagging behind "don't" get lost.
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