People still travelling into remote areas unprepared

"I still wonder how they did it in the 50's and 60'."

Over Easter 1970, Margaret and I and a friend (3 of us), drove a Mini to Coward Springs on the Oodnadatta Track and then followed the southern side of the Margaret River west to Billa Kalina station. For about a quarter of that distance there was no track.

Before leaving Marree, we spent an hour with the local policeman and his wife convincing them to let us go.
Eventually they did, because the wife wanted to come out and rescue us because she had not been out there before.

The arrangement was we would call into Kingoonya and leave a message that we had got through. If Marree had not heard from us after 4 days, they would come looking.

We made it OK, but I now wonder how....
Never leave home without a PLB now.......................

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

That is a great adventure Peter...

Cheers, Baz

Cruiser,

I gather what Stephen is referring to is items such as a PLB.
For around the $500 mark, this sort of item is absolutely essential for remote travel, especially when alone.

I hope I'll never have to use my GME MT410G, but I know I've got it as a last resort emergency broadcast beacon with a built-in GPS for accurate location.
The cost was a no brainer for me. In fact it is my second one after the older analogue technology was replaced with the digital type.

Wow,

Just checked the current price and they are available now for $299.

Hi Bill

You have just hit the nail on the head. I was referring to a couple of very cheap items to carry that are very small and will not take up much space.

Firstly, in the even that it is life threatening, then an under $300 PLB should be an absolute must for anyone that values their life when travelling in any remote area.

Secondly like many outback travellers, there are many times that we travel solo. Sure I have a second deep cycle battery fitted, but still always carry on of these little fellows... the super mini booster that will save my bacon if I have 2 batteries fail at the same time. (which I did by from Adele in the EO Shop)



Like all safety items that we carry, we hope that we never have to use them, but gives you peace of mind that they are the in case of an emergency.

Yes I have the usual HF Radio, UHF if someone is close enough to hear you and a Satellite phone, but the above 2 items are simple and cheap to buy.


Cheers



Stephen

They obviously didn't have a crank handle, Baz! TIC :-)

Bob

Hi Baz

Thorough planning is critical and from what we read from the ABC News story, is that no, they did not have a plan.

If they were scheduled to return home on Saturday, then why did it take another 3 days before the alarm was raised with Police in Alice Springs on Tuesday?

I know that if I had been planned to be home on that Saturday, come Saturday night my family would be contacting Police.

Yes they were prepare and were safe, but no one knew exactly where they were.


Cheers



Stephen

Hi Moto

Very well said and as you say, "Now days there is no excuse with modern communications available"


Cheers



Stephen