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BUT, in the UNLIKELY EVENT of >> Becoming Lost |
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| Prevention |
Always carry a map and compass. Have an experienced navigator in your party and take every
opportunity to improve your own navigation skills. Pay attention to geographical features and general terrain
and regularly identify your position on your map. Always leave a record of your trip intentions and possible
alternatives with a reliable contact who can initiate a search if your party is overdue by a predetermined time.
Although a mobile telephone is potentially useful to a lost party, it should not be regarded as security against
becoming lost. Most mobile phones will not operate in many of the locations in Victoria popular with bushwalkers,
particularly in the more remote areas of the country. Satellite mobile phones offer the promise of operating in more
areas although the early systems are very expensive and have been reported to have unsatisfactory response in
typical bushwalking locations.
Similarly, emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) are not a substitute for bushcraft and navigation
skills or party numbers. They are a device that should only be considered as an extra safety margin for a venture
which is properly resourced in all other respects. They should only be used as a last resort in a situation posing
grave and immediate danger to lives. In addition, the beacon signal is not reliably received from deep valleys or
densely forested terrain, nor does it allow transmission of any information by voice. |
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| Recognition |
| When features on the ground do not agree with those on the map, STOP and assess the
situation before a temporary disorientation becomes a major loss of position. |
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| Action |
STOP. DO NOT PANIC.
Stop and think. Your brain is your best survival tool. Stay together and pool your knowledge and expertise.
Identify your last confirmed position and estimate your present location. Except in specific areas of known
magnetic anomalies, believe your compass and remember that modern topographical maps have few major errors,
although logging tracks are notoriously time dependent.
If possible, retrace your steps to where you were comfortable that you knew your position. Alternatively,
if possible, proceed on a course which MUST bring you to a known feature in a reasonable time, such as a road or
stream. Otherwise, remain where you are and make phone contact with police if possible. Keep calm, warm and
seek shelter whilst waiting for assistance. Be prepared to devise ways to attract the attention of searchers in
the air or on the ground. This may require moving to a location above the tree line, into a clearing or an open
section of a creek. Place any brightly coloured items to form a block of colour to attract attention from the
air. VicWalk sells bright plastic bags as pack liners that could be used to this effect. Lighting a smoky fire
is another way to attract attention to your location.
Listen for calls or whistles from ground search parties. Remember that ground searchers are listening as well as
looking so attract attention to your location the recognized distress signal of three regularly spaced calls.
The "three calls" can be made by whatever means possible such as shouts, whistle blasts or even banging a spoon
on a billy. At night use three torch flashes. This signal sequence should never be misused. |
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