Anne Beadell Highway

Thks, Macca. Yes, have one of those but forgot to mention in string. Usually take it on trips such as this. Good thinking. Peter

Phil,

I think a couple of days is incorrect, a helicopter can land in a very small area, & sometimes does not need to land at all, so I think that help would still only be potentially a few hours away as opposed to a couple of days.

Macca.

Macca,
Ann Beadell Highway is at least 400km from the nearest town, so not sure how a helicopter would get on for range or where it would come from.
Out of interest, in 2018 I was talking to a guy in Birdsville who got retrieved by helicopter from the middle of the Rig Road when he had chest pain. The helicopter had to come from Moomba and had to refuel at Birdsville on the way. When he got assessed at the Birdsville Clinic, they found his chest pain was nothing and discharged him!

Yes Phil,

Being about 1,300 kms long, with Coober Pedy at one end & Laverton at the other, it would stretch the range of most helicopters, but there are station “airports” along the way. I still don’t think it would be days before help arrived, just hours. Medical personnel could be “dropped” in, but your point is taken.

Macca.

No station airstrips out there that I know of.Oak Valley has an airstrip as would Tjuntunjara. In 2007 a now defunct oil exploration company called Rodinia put in an airstrip adjacent to Mamungari but that is now overgrown. Medical personel would have to come from Port Augusta or Adelaide. I used to do retrieval work many years back, can't see a helicopter retrieval happening out there without planning and fuel drops but I don't know the range of helicopters these days.

The chances of a chopper recovery are slim out there - unless there's a chopper in the vicinity, from a station or an oil exploration mob.

Choppers are relatively slow, they only do 100-110 knots (180-200kmh) and even the Bell 206 Jetranger with a turbine engine, only has around 600km range with standard fuel tank.

Supplementary fuel tanks can be added, but are rarely used except in attempts at long-range flight records, or dedicated recoveries a long way out to sea.

Most piston engine choppers have quite a limited range, the smallest Robinson R22, 2 seater (as used on some cattle mustering efforts) only has a 380km range - while its big brother, the 4 seat, R44, only has a 560km range.

The restrictions on the smaller choppers is that if you need to be carried lying down, they can't do it, you need to be able to sit normally in a seat. Only in the Jetranger can you be carried lying down.

If you fall seriously ill, and call for help, the RFDS will work out the nearest RFDS-capable strip where they can land - and then you will need to be transported via ground transport to that strip.

Sometimes this could be an 80 or even 100kms ground trek, in a remote area. This is why you need good 2-way communication when in remote areas.

ExplorOz maps give all airstrip locations, but many remote airstrips are only suitable for light aircraft, due to inadequate construction, and a lack of maintenance.

An airstrip capable of taking an RFDS aircraft such as the Beech 200 King Air, has to be registered as an Aerodrome under CASR Part 139, and meet strict construction and maintenance requirements.

If you contact the RFDS, they will advise the locations they can fly from, and how far you might be from medical help, on any particular part of the ABH.

Remember also, the RFDS has 2,342 medical chests scattered all through the Outback.
These medical chests contain both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical items for emergency and non-emergency treatment for people in remote regions.
The RFDS will be able to give you the precise locations of these medical chests in the region/s you wish to travel.

Cheers, Ron.

Thanks guys.

Macca.

Never forget that the RFDS is there to help anyone, anytime, in remote regions, with medical assistance and evacuation (if needed) - at all times - and the service is completely free!

The RFDS is funded by donations from State Govts, from statutory bodies such as LotteryWest in W.A., and by donations from individuals, right through to large corporations.

The RFDS carries out an average of around 26 medical evacuations, daily, just in the N.T. and S.A.!

The important things are, when travelling in remote areas with possible health risks, is to ensure;

1. You carry good two-way communication ability;
2. Someone in your group or party has adequate First Aid skills;
3. You carry what ever medicines you are prescribed, and keep a list of what medications you're taking, and list what your medical history is;
4. You make sure that list is available to others who may need to revive/assist you;

Cheers, Ron.

If the pilot declares a mission of mercy and all staff on the aircraft vaulenteer for such a flight many of the regulations can be waved.

"Never forget that the RFDS is there to help anyone, anytime, in remote regions, with medical assistance and evacuation (if needed) - at all times - and the service is completely free!"

That's not what I (as a visiting US citizen) was told! As it was explained to me, visitors from countries with reciprocal agreements, such as the UK, would be covered for RFDS transport. In my case, well, hopefully I had insurance!

Interesting bit I came across while trying (futilely) to determine how much RFDS services might end up costing...

"Just recently, we had a traveller from interstate who was very unwell and he ended up paying $40,000 for a care flight to get him interstate... If someone comes to us and they have a heart attack we can fly them with the flying doctors to Brisbane, but that's where the service for the state ends."link

Ron said: "The chances of a chopper recovery are slim out there - unless there's a chopper in the vicinity, from a station or an oil exploration mob."

You guys are still guessing and best to stick with the facts. This is probably the most remote country on the Australian continent in terms of access. You are bang in the middle of the biggest desert in Australia which is why it has a history of atomic bombs and rockets. Road access is very slow once you go north from the Aboriginal Business Road from Oak Valley.

There are no stations out there past Mabel Creek near Coober Pedy.
There is currently no mining exploration along the ABH until you reach the Goldfields. Oil exploration on the SA side stopped about 8 years ago when the company failed to find oil after drilling 2 wells out near Mamungari.
As a result the nearest helicopter is likely to be Ceduna or Woomera.Woomera is 811km from the WA border as the crow flies. The Eyre highway is 400km to the south. Yulara is 400km away.
The nearest airstrips are as I have stated. If a helicopter were required it would need to refuel at say Oak Valley then it is still 200km as the crow flies to the WA border

.
Hi Candace,

Do not confuse RFDS "rescue" with "relocation".
A more complete quote is.......

"Relocating people with serious medical conditions can be expensive.
Just recently, we had a traveller from interstate who was very unwell and he ended up paying $40,000 for a care flight to get him interstate, back home with loved ones, for the last stages of his life, Dr Walker said."

This was not a lifesaving exercise, it was requested relocation on compassionate grounds.

Candace - The "$40,000 care flight" mentioned in the linked article (which is a good article, by the way), was not a medical "emergency" - it was a flight chosen by the person or their family, to return that sick person to their family home, so they could be closer to them and their family care.

The RFDS will treat and transport anyone, in an emergency health condition, to a place where they can receive the medical treatment they need to recover - for free.
I have never known anyone to receive a bill for emergency health transport/treatment by the RFDS.

However, if that person then needs further specialist treatment, or wishes to be moved to an area or hospital of their choice, then the cost of that specialist treatment or additional movement, is rarely free.

Overseas visitors who are injured or suffer life-threatening health events are still rescued and transported by the RFDS, for free - if the RFDS decides it is necessary.
As with all health and injury treatment, the RFDS "manages" each particular emergency case for satisfactory outcomes, the same as doctors and hospitals do.

It is likely, that if the injured/sick overseas visitor is found to be carrying travel insurance, then the injured/sick person may be presented with a bill for some medical services, such as ambulance transfer, and other incidental health costs.

It is foolish to travel without travel insurance - anywhere. I take out travel insurance, even when I just go interstate, it's not expensive. Travelling internationally, travel insurance is a necessity.

Ambulance transfer is not free in Australia for many Ambulance users.
The Ambulance Service is run by the St John Ambulance (a charitable organisation, the same as the RFDS) in W.A. and the N.T. - and mostly by the State Govts in other Australian States.
I believe Queensland and NSW residents receive free Ambulance transport, due to levies they pay on the likes of utilities.

Australians on welfare benefits, and Australian veterans with a health card, are generally the only patients who get free Ambulance transport.

Australians with private health insurance will receive a bill for Ambulance transport in W.A. and the N.T., which is then paid by their health insurer.
Overseas visitors are likely to receive a bill for Ambulance transport in all States.

Around 55% of Australians have private health cover, the rest of the Australian population is covered by the Govt's Medicare public health care system.
Our Australian health care system is divided into two parts - the Public Health Care system, and the Private Health Care system.
The Public HC system is free to all Australians under the Federal Govt-run Medicare, whilst the Private Health Care system charges all patients, who then have to recover as much as their costs as they can from their health or travel insurer.

Here is a good article (below) on RFDS operations. The RFDS operates on a 210km (130 mile) radius limit for chopper operations, every emergency outside that radius, is carried out by fixed-wing aircraft.

RFDS operations

Cheers, Ron.

Allan,

Fine, but that still doesn't explain if RFDS rescue services would be free for me! Or any visitor from a country without a reciprocal agreement.

Maybe my internet search skills are wanting, but I haven't found a clear answer to that question. The RFDS site says "overseas visitors are encouraged to take out adequate travel insurance when travelling in Outback Australia." A hint, but not a clear statement.link

I did find another hint on a QLD site: "The RFDS provides free health care services to all Australian residents..."
link

The RFDS gets the vast majority of its revenue from the Commonwealth Government. So it's reasonable that the service is not free to non-residents (except visitors from countries with reciprocal agreements).link

Ron,

Thanks, but I can't get that Jems page to load.

I think I'll just go look for a general phone number or email address and ask the RFDS directly. :)

Candace, I believe the RFDS statement on their website, under "What we do", is unambiguous (my Capitals).

"Using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, the RFDS works to provide emergency medical and primary health care services to ANYONE who lives, works or travels in rural and remote Australia."

RFDS - What we do

Cheers, Ron.

.
Yes Candace, my internet search skills are no better. "Hints" maybe, or maybe imprecise expression.
Perhaps they like to keep their options open.
I am a donating "member" and tried several links that are not readily available on the Qld. public website but with no better success. Note that each RFDS state division has slightly differing structure and websites. I only tried the Qld. site.
But I do think that, in line with other Australian agencies, the RFDS treats residents and visitors alike when it comes to emergency aid.

Sorry for the delay. I got in touch with the RFDS via email.

I asked: "I understand that Australian residents, and visitors from countries with reciprocal agreements, are not charged for RFDS rescue services. But is the same true for visitors from other countries?"

The reply was:
"Thanks for your enquiry.

You are correct, those overseas visitors who are not entitled to the Reciprocal Health Care agreement are liable for all medical costs incurred whilst travelling within Australia.

This is why we recommend travel insurance for all Tourists."

.
Candace,
Good that you got that resolved clearly.

Candace - An excellent answer, that gives the RFDS situation as regards foreign visitors, much greater clarity.

This is the first time I have learned that the RFDS operates under the Reciprocal Health Care agreements system.

There are only 11 foreign countries that have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Australia - and the U.S. is NOT one of them.

Medicare - Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

Cheers, Ron.

Ambulance in NSW isn't free, even subsidised it's very expensive. Non NSW residents are charged full fare which is around double.

https://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/our-services/accounts-and-fees

I actually thought their answer was still a little bit vague. So I sought clarification:

"When I visit Australia, I often travel in remote areas. So, if I understand you correctly, if I had a medical emergency and an RFDS rescue was required, the full cost of that would be charged to me.

It would appear that any RFDS rescue is presumed to require medical treatment, and therefore is billable."

Their reply: "Yes, that is correct.

Even if the transferred Patient is not (ultimately) admitted to Hospital on arrival in Alice Springs, they sill received Medical care from the RFDS Nurse (& sometimes also a Doctor), &, as the call came thru from the NT emergency services centre, that is a billable transfer."

.
That seems pretty conclusive Candace.
It is good that they answered succinctly rather than waffle around the point.
Adequate travel insurance seems to be your protection.

Candace, that's interesting. I hadn't thought travelling to T1 & T2 required extra permission - thought it was all covered. Will follow up. Thks, Peter

Peter,

Could simply be that the person (elder?) reviewing permit applications that particular week was grumpy?!

When I asked via email for them to reconsider the restrictions, someone in the Ceduna office checked with someone in Oak Valley. Then I got a got a new copy of the permit, with the hand-written restrictions blocked out!