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First Aid

Obviously in an accident or emergency situation the first thing is to attend to is the vital life processes of the victim. See First Aid Principles for more information.

Clothing

The next important aspect to ensuring survival is to minimise exposure (cold or hot/UV).

Shelter and Fire

The next step is to protect the body from the elements by seeking shelter.

Location

Now you need to make yourself easy to find by search and rescue parties. So set up location aids - this may include fires, lights, mirrors, or more sophisticated methods such as activating an EPIRB.

Water

Generally the body can survive - 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food.

Food

Given the above, food is a low priority in a survival situation, unless no one knows you are gone. This refers to the searching for food, and is not as applicable to travellers that might already have a fully stocked larder. The issue here is that energy spent looking for food (bush food) is a waste of the bodies precious water resources. It is especially dangerous to eat if you don't have water as it increases the bodies need for water.

Creek Beds

Creek beds, even if dry, may have water just beneath the surface. Look in bends for damp sand or mud, or dig in a likely spot. Water can be extracted by soaking a rag in soil and wringing out the water into a container. Exposed tree roots can be cut in lengths and drained of their fluid early in the morning. To reduce the risk of infection, any surface water must be boiled.

Rock Formations

Rocky areas are ideal for rain catchments so if there is any water seepage from the ground it is likely to be found near rock formations.

Salt Lakes

After rain has fallen, the top 3mm of a salt lake is fresh water. It can be siphoned off by using a grass straw or tubing.

Windmills

If you can see a windmill, then usually there will be a water supply such as a well, dam or soak. Check the water has not gone salty.

Animal Trails

Where a large number of trails converge together, it would indicate that water was not far away. Follow the trails to the water source.

Water Seepage

Natural springs and soft rock erosion area (slopes, banks etc)

Coastal Water Sources

In Western Australia, you can obtain drinking water by digging high up on the beach above the tidemark or behind the first sand hills. It tastes brackish and should only be used in small quantities.

Dew

Wipe down the vehicle with a cloth before sunrise and wring it out into a container.

Transpiration Method

Water can be obtained by placing clear plastic bags over the leafy branch of a non-poisonous tree and securing the end of the branch. Ensure there are no holds in the bag. The action of the sun on the plastic will cause water to be drawn from the leaves and run to the lowest part of the bag. Do not disturb the bag to collect water, simply cut a small hole in the bag then reseal it with tape. The leaves will continue to produce water as the roots draw it from the ground. Water should be drained off every 2 hrs and stored. If no large trees in the area, break up clumps of grass or small bushes and put them into the bag.

Distilling Sea Water

If the only water around is undrinkable (such as sea water), then boiling it will create steam (which is fresh water). Provided you can find a method of collecting the steam, such as trapping it as condensation, you can drink it.

Watch Method

To find north using your watch stand holding your wristwatch horizontal with the number 12 pointing in the direction of the sun. Bisect the angle between the hour hand and the 12 o'clock position to give you the approximate position of North.

Shade

Australia is in the southern hemisphere and consequently, shade from bushes in the heat of the day always occurs on the southern side of a bush.

The Shadow Stick

Push a stick vertically into the ground. Place a stone at the end of the stick's shadow. After 20mins place another stone at the end of the shadow. Draw a line in the ground between the 2 stones - this lines will mark the approximate West - East direction. Stand along the line facing towards the stick with your left foot between the 2 stones and your right foot outside the stones - you will now be facing North.

Central Operations

These include bases at Uluru (Ayers Rock), Alice Springs, Port Augusta, South Australia and Adelaide

South East

Includes bases at Broken Hill, Dubbo, Bankstown, Melbourne, Essendon and Launceston

Queensland

Includes bases at Mount Isa, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Bundaberg and Charleville

Western Operations

Includes bases at Derby, Port Hedland, Meekatharra, Perth (Jandakot Airport) and Kalgoorlie

Fire

A smoking fire will aid searchers, both in daylight and at night. Obviously extreme care must be taken not to let your fire get out of hand.

Whistles

• One blast at regular intervals = searchers looking for lost party


• Two blasts repeated regularly = acknowledgement of distress signal


• Three signals together, regularly spaced = distress signal by lost party


• Four blasts = recall signal for search parties

Gun Shots and Torch Flashes

Same as for whistles - guns to be discharged into soft ground, not the air.

Signal to Aircraft

Write SOS using figures that are 8 - 9 metres in length. Use rocks, logs, brush, or dig trenches in sand.

Aircraft Signals Back

Aircraft will rock from side to side during daylight to indicate that it was seen your message. At night they will make green flashes. If not understood, the aircraft will fly in complete right hand circles or make red flashes at night.