Safety equipment for off road travels

FYI, this is the reply I received from Mick O

"You would be right with a Sat phone and a UHF radio. HF would be overkill for the route you've described. In terms of equipment, are you packing a good 12V compressor and a puncture repair kit (Plug type kit)?"

Thanks Mick O, and yes, we have a compressor and puncture repair kit :)

Kim, in addition to the above I would be taking a PLB as well mainly as a last resort if you have a life threatening issue. In an earlier life many years ago I found HF to be very fiddly and likely to be impacted by atmospheric conditions. We are currently carrying a hired satphone which provides great peace of mind. We keep it in the cabin in the same place always which is reachable from either front seat. Enjoy your trip.

The suggested route is not really that remote . There would be travellers going past you if something happened regularly . A Telstra mobile phone would really be all that is needed . A Hf radio and a Sat phone would be overkill .

Cheers

How long is a piece of string?

We carry, HF, Sat phone, EPIRB, Spot,and I have amateur radio gear.

Equipment wise, recovery gear, repair gear and spare parts, oils, filters etc.

How much well that depends where were going, are we going solo, what is the likelihood of obtaining outside assistance if we need it and how much overweight were prepared the vehicle to be.

Hi Kim

It sounds like you will have a great trip, with some great country to visit.

We usually travel remote areas, so have all bases covered, from HF, SPOT, PLB and Sat phone.

If you have ever read any of my replies, the first and most important piece of safety equipment that should be in every vehicle that heads away from built up areas......a PLB

They are cheap now, will work anywhere and even if you leave your vehicle on foot, small enough to carry on your belt.

Invest in one of these units and it will give you and your family peace of mind in the event of serious trouble.



Safe travels.




Cheers




Stephen

Kim

As I said earlier this is not really remote country . If travelling truely remote I understand the need for satphones etc but you will come across numerous other travellers , prepare you vehicle correctly , drive to the condition and you will most likely have no worries .

Enjoy the trip it's not that daunting .

A lot depends on when you are doing the trip, and the route.
I'm assuming you won't be ding this anything other than winter or shoulder months before / after, as it can be dangerously hot / uncomfortable touring outback at other times of year.

It is a very open ended question, so much relates to the thread topic, and it's all really relevant to your previous experience out bush, 4WDn, mech aptitude etc.

First aid gear and training / knowledge to use it, weather considerations (if wet / hot etc), carrying sufficient water for drinking / emergency contingency / radiator fill if holed, food and similarly emergency extra supply, spare fanbelts, radiator hoses, air, oil, and fuel filters, radiator repair kit, liquid steel tube, basic tools.

You seem to be focussed somewhat on communications ?
I ask, if you have hired a HF radio in the past (once ?), just how easy was it to contact someone IF a problem developed ?
I have seen one used, it seems to take a lot more knowledge of the HF ops than a sat phone for example (as simple as making any mobile call). . . then there's the mounting of the antenna, which seems to be a fairly heavy duty / precise sort of mounting job.
Not sure about what carrier service you'd use (one of the HF clubs etc) ?
Included by the hirer ?

As mentioned in other reply, sat phone is nice to have for instant comms to deal with about anything via RFDS or Police etc, but for 3 week hire ex Melb might be a few $$$.
Good peace of mind if you feel the need.

I'd consider a route like Melb to Broken Hill via Mildura / Darling River.
To Yunta, Peterborough, then north to the Flinders via Oorooroo./ Hawker.
Spend some time at Rawnsley Pk or Wilpena, maybe Willow Springs stn.
Oout via Blinman, glass Gorge loop if adventurous, Parachilna Gorge / Parachilna township.
Farina camping a night, then up the Oodnadatta Tk to Ood, then Mt Dare, maybe Finke - Chambers Pillar detour, then on to Alice. ]
West Macdonnell Ranges time permitting, home the fast way via Stuart Hwy, Peterborough, SA Riverland (Renmark) to Mildura and A79 home.

3 weeks though, will fly by.

Take your PLB with you when you go on hikes and longer or difficult walks, in case of an accident. Satellite phone would be more use, but is bulkier to carry, and harder to use if you are injured.