Emergency Information for Families Etc.

[Samma3l]

Hi Folks,

I've been lurking in these threads again for the better part of the last year, in preparation for a big walk I'm undertaking next year. There has been a great deal of great information that is shared here from gear and how to aquire it to emergency situations.

It is this latter part which has taken my interest. There has been much talk about when a PLB should and shouldn't been deployed as well as the old "should have left information with family/authorities etc" discussion. I am about to compile a kind of "instruction" list of what to do if I don't get in contact within a certain time, who to call, how long to wait etc but I thought I would also appeal to the greater knowledge here, especially from those who have gotten themselves into a sticky situation, or nearly had.

I will be carrying a PLB incase I do get in trouble but what are the things that you have found would have been good to include on emergency information that you give to your family? What sort of time margin do you allow for? What other information or advice do you have that will come in handy?

Thanks very much

[Tortoise]

Hi Samma, and welcome.

What sort of time margin do you allow for?

For me, that depends a lot on the actual walk, and if I'm on my own or with others. If I'm incapacitated and can't set off my PLB for some reason, and I'm on my own, I'd want S&R looking for me earlier. It also depends on remoteness, though others may disagree on this. I tend to allow more time (up to 3 days) on really long walks, on the basis that there are a lot of things that could hold me up while I'm still actually fine, and 99 % of the time if I really am needing rescue, I'll be able to activate the PLB.

Can you give us an idea where you'll be walking, and how many in the party?

[Strider]

Another very good place to leave this information is as an attachment to your PLB registration on the AMSA website.

[Samma3l]

I'm planning on walking the AAWT and then jumping on the Bicentennial National Trail to Cooktown once I hit Canberra. It will just be myself on the trails. Solo is just the way I prefer to go.

I'll be getting an extra set of guidebooks for my partner so that my progress can be followed with them. The longest I've estimated between resupply stops in 12 days, which is a long time to worry. I've perused the Telstra 4G network which has me optimistic about coverage for most of the walk, though I'm expecting that there will be considerable periods where I wont be able to get in touch.

I've estimated 3 days as well, and expect to be able to activate the PLB most of the time if it is an emergency. It is that time where I wont be able to that I'm trying to plan for

[Strider]

I've estimated 3 days as well, and expect to be able to activate the PLB most of the time if it is an emergency. It is that time where I wont be able to that I'm trying to plan for

Apart from being dead, why would you not be able to activate it?

[MrWalker]

For such a long walk it would be more interesting for your partner if you had a SPOT beacon.
You should still have the PLB because SPOT won't always get through, but it does often enough to keep friends and relative informed, when they don't hear from you for days on end.

[Strider]

Even better if your partner is bored at home, take them with you!