Bush Safety

HWC Search, Rescue and Training Sub-Committee

Our objectives are to:

§        Oversee Club training trip operations

§        Promote the Club’s search and rescue roles

§        Advise the Club on training in leadership, bush skills and bush safety

§        Advise the Club on general safety aspects of bushwalking

Our Members are:

Pam Powell - Convener, Stuart Whitney - Training Trip Co-ordinator, Chris Rathbone - Police Liaison, Glen Kowalik, Greg Downer, Franz Rader, Executive Representative

"Safety in the Bush"

The Book - "Safety in the Bush" is produced by the Committee. It is an excellent guide for walking in Tasmania and is available from the Club (see Publications) or from bookshops. Some excerpts follow.

What is the book?

·        comprehensive guide to planning and preparation for walking in the bush – whether on day trips, overnight or extended walks. (trip planning, selection of equipment, preparation and packing of food);

·        provides tips for identifying potential dangers, both before the trip, during the planning stage, and while in the bush (difficulties and dangers);

·        shows how to walk, ski and camp in the snow (skiing, walking and camping in the snow);

·        how to find your way (route finding and navigation);

·        how to deal with any medical or other emergency that arises (first aid in the bush, emergency procedures); and

·        provides a guide to walking in the bush while preserving the natural environment (minimum impact code)

The book is in an easy to read and reference format, with extensive cross-referencing and indexing.  The 8^th edition which came out in 2000 was extensively updated.  New members are given a copy of the book.  It can also be obtained from the publications officer and from many bookshops and outdoor stores.

Contents          

·        Rights and obligations

·        The party

·        The trip

·        Equipment

·        Food

·        Walking and camping in the snow

·        Skiing

·        Route finding and navigation

·        Difficulties and dangers

·        Emergency procedures

·        First aid in the bush

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING CHECKLIST

Food Rations for a long trip

A weight allowance of approximately 900 grams per person per day is a generally accepted basis for calculating the quantity of food to be taken on a trip.  It is not possible to set down a food list that satisfies everyone’s taste, but the following list provides a guide to the type and quantity of foods required for each day.  The best way to ensure enough food for an entire trip is to package each meal separately in plastic bags, eg. a set portion allocated for each breakfast, lunch and dinner and an allocation of snacks per day.  Avoid the temptation to pack extra items, particularly on longer, harder trips.

Breakfast                                                                                   Grams per day

Cereal (oats, muesli, etc.)                                                                                   70

Lunch (generally foods not needing cooking)

Biscuits (tough dry biscuits, densely textured breads, etc)                                     70

Cheese                                                                                                             50

Salami                                                                                                               50

Jam or honey                                                                                                    20

Peanut butter                                                                                                     20

Butter or margarine                                                                                            20

Dried food products (tomato, cheese, etc. to add to main meal)                               5

Main meal

Soup                                                                                                                 20-40

Protein (lentils, dried beans, peas, nuts, cheese, freeze-dried meat)                      80

Rice, pasta, couscous, or dried potato                                                                 80-100

Dried fruit, custard, instant pudding, fruit cake, halva                                            80

Spices and flavours to suit                                                                                  5

Energy foods to nibble during the day

‘Scroggin’ (a mixture of nuts, dried fruits, etc.)                                                     70

Sweets (jelly beans, barley sugar, etc.)                                                                35

Energy bars or chocolate                                                                                    50

Miscellaneous

Coffee, tea, chocolate                                                                                        30

Salt                                                                                                                   0-5

Saline or fruit juice concentrate                                                                           10-35

Sugar                                                                                                                40

Powdered milk, soya milk or coconut milk                                                             50

Total                                                                                                                 900g

For the first one or two days, fresh food such as fruit, meat and vegetables can be taken.

First aid kits

Each person should carry a personal first aid kit in a strong, waterproof, lightweight package.  Although the list of contents is subject to personal preference and susceptibility, suggested items are:

bandaids or continuous adhesive dressing

2 x heavy crepe bandage eg 7.5cm or 10 cm wide (sprains, strains, snakebite)

adhesive tape, non-stretch (strapping sprained ankles, holding dressings in place)

triangular bandage (slings, bandage, padding)

pain relieving tablets

disposable latex gloves

blister pack, if susceptible

sterile gauze squares for wound cleaning

antiseptic swabs, povidine iodine, Teatree Oil or powder antiseptic

small amount of Friar’s Balsam (helps tape and bandaids stick better to the skin, hardens blistered skin)

sterile non-adhesive dressings (wound covering, eye pad)

smallest tube anti-itch/sting treatment

safety pins

small pair of lightweight scissors

sun block

any medically prescribed drugs for personal use

small note pad and pencil

thermo blanket (protection against elements, prevent loss of body heat)

salt

eyewash cup

Emergency Management -- Hobart Walking Club

Safety in the Bush covers most aspects of emergency management – albeit it in many different sections. How to prepare for a walk so that you are equipped to manage an emergency (The Trip, Equipment, First Aid), how to manage when lost or caught our overnight (Emergency Procedures), how to manage an injured party (First Aid). 

How you will manage in an emergency depends on how well prepared you are what equipment you have with you and whether you are in an isolated place on a multi day walk or on a day walk and relatively close to the cars.

This document draws together those ideas into a short paper to assist you in managing in an emergency.  Some of the ideas come from the Remote Area First Aid Manual published by TOLC.

When an accident, injury or sickness occurs the following steps should be followed:

1.                Assess the situation – stay calm – ensure that someone in the group takes charge.

2.         D          Ensure safety from immediate danger of the injured person and the rest of the group.

3.         R          Check for response.  If conscious treat injuries. 

4.         A          If unconscious, turn onto side and check airway.

5.         B          Determine whether the injured person is breathing.

6.         C          Check for circulation.

7.                Manage Shock.

8.                Manage other injuries. Stop severe bleeding by direct pressure over the wound.

9.                Make sure of the well being of the rest of the group.

10.             Make a thorough assessment of the total medical condition.  Make a record of actions taken.

11.             Plan how to proceed

a.         Management of injury:

·        prevent further deterioration and promote recovery by following appropriate steps (see Safety in Bush First Aid Chapter) (rest, reassure, warmth, fluids)

·        plan to provide care for a long period – keep a positive frame of mind – note your patient’s condition

·        keep an eye on condition of the rest of the party

b.                Evacuation (if evacuation required/possible)

·        Self-evacuation, by concerted action of party members – factors to be considered

·        Seriousness of injury

·        Distance to cars

·        Difficulty of terrain

For a simple injury or even a more serious injury where the distance to the car is nor great, self-evacuation is possible, however, remember it is extremely difficult to carry anyone even for a short distance.

·        Seeking external assistance

Send two party members if at all possible to contact emergency services.  Ensure that the most experienced person stays with the injured party.  Take full details:

·        Type of injury and how it occurred and condition of patient

·        Medical history and how casualty has been managed

·        Location (grid references)

·        Details of site terrain (can a helicopter land)

·        Name, address and next of kin of injured party

·        Weather conditions

·        Number in party and whether the party has shelter and how they will manage if help doesn’t arrive

·        Also contact HWC Emergency Contact Person if at all possible.

c.                At the accident site

Short-term management

·        Assess whether you could be spotted by search helicopter or air craft

Plan to attract attention

·        Assess site, could a helicopter land, if not, is there a place near by where landing would be possible?

·        Should you light a fire?  Smoke will help in attracting attention.

Long-term management

·        See bivouac procedures in Safety in the Bush, Emergency Management Chapter.