Helicopter Rescues in Tasmania "2"

[Tazz81]

Another issue that is not often discussed is the fact that once you hit the button all JRCC gets is an emergency indication (unless you have an inreach of course whereby you can text your exact situation). This essentially means that you are triaged to the top of the tree because they don’t know the nature of your emergency, just that you are having one.

While this helicopter is engaged on a mission to rescue people that are “wet and uncomfortable” it can’t be used elsewhere in the state for other critical tasks.

About 10 years ago a 16 yr old girl died of an asthma attack down in Southport because the Road ambulance took too long and the helicopter was rescuing someone off the overland track with a sore knee…..

People need to realise that when they call for help unnecessarily they are therefore depriving others of that critical care that they are hogging.

[Overlandman]

There are now 4 rescue helicopters in the state, all are based at Rotorlift at Hobart airport.

[Warin]

About 10 years ago a 16 yr old girl died of an asthma attack down in Southport because the Road ambulance took too long and the helicopter was rescuing someone off the overland track with a sore knee…..

People need to realise that when they call for help unnecessarily they are therefore depriving others of that critical care that they are hogging.

Dover (nearest ambo) to Southport is 17 mins.. without a siren.
Tasmania now has 4 rescue helicopters.
First aid training should cover the first 30 minutes of care.

A 'sore knee' may make it impossible to walk, particularly with a pack on. Waiting for a knee to recover may mean running out of food. 'Unnecessarily' may well be necessary, possibly not required immediately but within a few days and provided the weather cooperates. On the overland track rangers can communicate with the emergency services to provide additional information on the case.

Armchair and 20/20 hindsight are good things... but the reality when people are stressed is very different. Would you rather have them not press the button and end up far worse? Or would you delay a response in case it was needed elsewhere?

I think the present system is as good as we are going to get for the moment. Unless it is a flagrant misuse of the service than leave them alone. There is pressure on the PLB/EPIRB system to enable basic 2 way communication ... don't know if/when that will take place.

[north-north-west]

Another issue that is not often discussed is the fact that once you hit the button all JRCC gets is an emergency indication (unless you have an inreach of course whereby you can text your exact situation). This essentially means that you are triaged to the top of the tree because they don’t know the nature of your emergency, just that you are having one.

They will try to contact you by phone. Of course, that is dependent on you having your phone with you, switched on, with sufficient power, and within range of a tower.

About 10 years ago a 16 yr old girl died of an asthma attack down in Southport because the Road ambulance took too long and the helicopter was rescuing someone off the overland track with a sore knee…..

A 'sore knee' may make it impossible to walk, particularly with a pack on. Waiting for a knee to recover may mean running out of food. 'Unnecessarily' may well be necessary, possibly not required immediately but within a few days and provided the weather cooperates.

Which was basically my situation when I called for an evac from below Eldon Bluff.
I know my body well enough to tell when an injury is bad enough to need assistance. I knew I wouldn't be walking out as soon as I went down that morning. In hindsight, the decision was vindicated by
a) weather going off badly overnight, grounding the chopper the following day
b) the knee stiffening up so much overnight that I could barely hobble along on clear flat ground without a load (and we were days from the nearest road, off-track) and
c) the recovery to tracked daywalk taking over a month and to full pack taking at least three.

[Overlandman]

Aero Med 78 Hotel (AM78H) Bell 412 has just retrieved a patient from the Franklin River Area, it’s heading to Strathgordon to refuel before dropping the patient at the Royal Hobart Hospital
Must use the 412 as it has a better winch. Can anyone confirm?

[doogs]

It was the Frankland river area not Franklin.. looked more Maconochie or Cinder Hill on the flight path.

[Overlandman]

Went well beyond the flight path.
ADSB coverage is not good out that way.
Also went past the requested sartime due to no radio coverage.

[Overlandman]

Not a helicopter rescue as the weather was too poor.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-19/ ... /102497242


A woman who injured an ankle while walking the Overland Track has been rescued after spending the night in freezing conditions in the remote central highlands of Tasmania.

The 28-year-old from Victoria activated her personal locator beacon about 5:30pm Sunday.

It showed her location to be two kilometres south of Kitchen Hut on the Cradle Mountain end of the Overland Track.

The rescue helicopter was not able to be used because of weather conditions but a team of police, ambulance and SES personnel walked in last night.

After locating the woman about 1:30am, they helped her return to Kitchen Hut and walk out on Monday morning.

[matagi]

I was trying to work out where 2km south of Kitchen Hut would put her.

Can anyone enlighten me?

[tastrax]

South of Fury Gorge - north of Benson peak?

[MrWalker]

[quote="tastrax"]South of Fury Gorge - north of Benson peak?
That would be right. The rocky track along that section is ideal for slipping on an icy rock and injuring an ankle.
The injury may not have happened as far south as that. She may have tried to continue for a while, hoping to reach the boarded area past the junction.

[Son of a Beach]

There's an emergency pod (fibreglass dome 'hut' thingy) near the Lake Rodway turn-off. Just a couple of hundred metres further on. (Or at least there was when I was last there a couple of years ago.)

[MrWalker]

There's an emergency pod (fibreglass dome 'hut' thingy) near the Lake Rodway turn-off. Just a couple of hundred metres further on. (Or at least there was when I was last there a couple of years ago.)

That would explain why the beacon was not activated until 5:30pm. She was probably trying to reach it, but couldn't get there before dark.

[Last]

There's an emergency pod (fibreglass dome 'hut' thingy) near the Lake Rodway turn-off. Just a couple of hundred metres further on. (Or at least there was when I was last there a couple of years ago.)

It's still there. It was put there as part of the coroner's recommendations after a walker died of exposure nearby, with good reason. It's incredibly exposed there in poor weather.

[matagi]

Hence my confusion. They implied she was on the Overland Track, 2 km south of Kitchen Hut, which I figured would put her close to the emergency pod. So why did they all go back to Kitchen Hut and not go on to the pod, which should have been closer and easier to get to - that rocky section notwithstanding.

[Lophophaps]

If they were very close to the pod then this would seem to be a logical place to stay. If the casualty cold walk with support and the distance to the pod was more than, say, 800 metres, Kitchen Hut appeals more. This saves doubling back Air rescue was not possible. Also, the distances cited in the media may be incorrect.

[Son of a Beach]

If they were very close to the pod then this would seem to be a logical place to stay. If the casualty cold walk with support and the distance to the pod was more than, say, 800 metres, Kitchen Hut appeals more. This saves doubling back Air rescue was not possible. Also, the distances cited in the media may be incorrect.

This sounds reasonable. The 'pod' would certainly be less draughty than Kitchen Hut. Every time I've stopped at Kitchen Hut in winter with the idea of getting in out of the weather for a few minutes, it usually feels colder inside than outside! (Although I know that's partly just because I'm sitting still instead of walking.)

[Nuts]

There's an emergency pod (fibreglass dome 'hut' thingy) near the Lake Rodway turn-off. Just a couple of hundred metres further on. (Or at least there was when I was last there a couple of years ago.)

It's still there. It was put there as part of the coroner's recommendations after a walker died of exposure nearby, with good reason. It's incredibly exposed there in poor weather.

Inexperienced walkers, who would at least have thought twice about an exposed alpine walk in winter, are heading out there more often. Examining the people going and their reasoning (ref: one read through the bushwalking social media) would reveal issues not fixed by adding infrastructure. The huts, thoughts of meeting other new walkers 'surviving', heaters and refuge are likely as much part of the cause.

[matagi]

There's an emergency pod (fibreglass dome 'hut' thingy) near the Lake Rodway turn-off. Just a couple of hundred metres further on. (Or at least there was when I was last there a couple of years ago.)

It's still there. It was put there as part of the coroner's recommendations after a walker died of exposure nearby, with good reason. It's incredibly exposed there in poor weather.

Inexperienced walkers, who would at least have thought twice about an exposed alpine walk in winter, are heading out there more often. Examining the people going and their reasoning (ref: one read through the bushwalking social media) would reveal issues not fixed by adding infrastructure. The huts, thoughts of meeting other new walkers 'surviving', heaters and refuge are likely as much part of the cause.

Reading some of the questions and responses on some of those social media pages is quite frankly, frightening. I think we have been lucky in Tasmania that there have not been a lot of serious incidents or deaths.

[Overlandman]

From Tas Police Yesterday
If you're planning on exploring Tasmania’s wilderness or alpine areas please carry equipment to keep safe until the arrival of emergency services if required.

Yesterday, two men experiencing medical issues were rescued from Kitchen Hut at Cradle Mountain.

The two men were suitably prepared for a day trip with communication devices, ropes, helmets, ice axes, limited food, tarps, warm and dry sleeping bags and mats, and head torches – however they were not prepared to camp overnight if they faced difficulty.

A land-based Search and Recue team rescued the men - one had fallen around 1.5metres while rock climbing and the other had developed abdominal pains and sickness.

[Tortoise]

The two men were suitably prepared for a day trip with communication devices, ropes, helmets, ice axes, limited food, tarps, warm and dry sleeping bags and mats, and head torches – however they were not prepared to camp overnight if they faced difficulty.
(My emphasis)
A land-based Search and Recue team rescued the men - one had fallen around 1.5metres while rock climbing and the other had developed abdominal pains and sickness.

I don't usually carry my mat and sleeping bag on a day trip - though I take extra layers and an emergency bivvy bag, and would consider adding a light weight mat and quilt for a particularly long winter's day walk in the mountains. I'm wondering what else they would have needed to be able to camp overnight? I can understand if the medical issues meant they needed more urgent evacuation, and in the cold, a stove and more food would have been very helpful. But am I missing something here? I would have thought they were exceptionally well prepared to camp overnight - especially in Kitchen Hut - when things went wrong. I'm not suggesting they should have done so, given those medical issues. I'm just surprised by the comment from the police.

[north-north-west]

Torty:
Kitchen is colder, but I've spent a night in Rangers Hut during snow season, using no more than what they had. Two of them there, snuggling up, they should have been warm enough. One night without food won't do any damage. So, yes, they seem to have been adequately equipped for a night out if necessary.

[Overlandman]

Story from Todays ABC News about the perils of walking in Tasmania and recent searches / rescues.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-05/ ... /102559802

[Warin]

From Tas Police Yesterday
The two men were suitably prepared for a day trip with communication devices, ropes, helmets, ice axes, limited food, tarps, warm and dry sleeping bags and mats, and head torches – however they were not prepared to camp overnight if they faced difficulty.

How much pack weight would the Tas Police consider adequate for a day trip that might turn into an overnight camp? 15 kg?

A short walk to a waterfall the Police might consider many things 'suitable' .. while most would carry a phone, a camera and not much else.

All very easy with hindsight 20/20 for those occasions where things go wrong. But increasing the weight carried also increases risk.

[Lostsoul]

Always carry a small dry bag that contains a plb,emergency bivvy bag,first aid kit with two emergency blankets inside,one for a groundsheet and one to fashion into a makeshift shelter/tent.This easily fits into my day pack and goes on every walk with me,whether it be 5 days or 5 minutes.

[north-north-west]

Thiis one is a few days old:

** From Tasmanian Police Page.
“Police are again urging bushwalkers to be prepared after two people called for help at Cradle Mountain overnight.
Emergency services were alerted to two men who had been walking in the national park, before they went off track and became stuck in extremely steep terrain just before 5.30pm last night.
The Burnie locals had trekked to the summit, with minimal food and water, a mobile phone and no equipment to spend the night in case of emergency.
The pair contacted emergency services requesting a rescue helicopter.
Police search and rescue officers, and Ambulance Tasmania wilderness paramedics walked in and assisted the walkers back to safety. Parks and Wildlife Services personnel also aided in the operation.
Inspector Steve Jones, Officer in Charge of Western Search and Rescue, said it was incredibly frustrating that police were forced to repeat the same warnings again and again.
“The rescue helicopter is a vital service, and available for genuine emergencies,” Inspector Jones said.
“It was a sunny, clear day at Cradle Mountain, and had the two walkers not gone off track, they would not have got lost.
“Bushwalkers should always prepare for the worst, and while the weather was great yesterday, that can change rapidly. Our emergency service personnel often put their own lives at risk during rescues, so it is frustrating when the situation could have been avoided.”
If you're planning on bushwalking:
• Be prepared
• Research your trip
• Inform others of your trip
• Carry Communication Devices”

[headwerkn]

Interesting to note the firmer-than-usual tone by both TasPol and Westpac Rescue on this one.

Don't know exactly what went down, but it sounds like it involved more than a passing amount of deliberate stupidity. Disappointing to see from locals, who should know at least a little better...

[north-north-west]

Interesting to note the firmer-than-usual tone by both TasPol and Westpac Rescue on this one.

Don't know exactly what went down, but it sounds like it involved more than a passing amount of deliberate stupidity. Disappointing to see from locals, who should know at least a little better...

How do you get lost going off-track on Cradle Mtn anyway, particularly on a clear day? Bensons is that way, Lake Rodway is down there, the track is on that side and the ridge to Smithies, Weindorfers and Little Horn is thataway. The alternative routes off the summit aren't necessarily easy, but direction of travel is always obvious. You find you're on an impassable line going down, then you turn around and backtrack.

[Warin]

This one is a few days old:

** From Tasmanian Police Page.
“Police are again urging bushwalkers to be prepared after two people called for help at Cradle Mountain overnight.
Emergency services were alerted to two men who had been walking in the national park, before they went off track and became stuck in extremely steep terrain just before 5.30pm last night.
The Burnie locals had trekked to the summit, with minimal food and water, a mobile phone and no equipment to spend the night in case of emergency.

Number of people carrying overnight equipment up Cradle Mt? 0, or very close to it.

Agree on not providing a helicopter for them. Hopefully they have rethought their expectations.

[north-north-west]

This one is a few days old:
** From Tasmanian Police Page.
“Police are again urging bushwalkers to be prepared after two people called for help at Cradle Mountain overnight.
Emergency services were alerted to two men who had been walking in the national park, before they went off track and became stuck in extremely steep terrain just before 5.30pm last night.
The Burnie locals had trekked to the summit, with minimal food and water, a mobile phone and no equipment to spend the night in case of emergency.

Number of people carrying overnight equipment up Cradle Mt? 0, or very close to it.

Which is why you don't try to puish an off-track route down, late on a winter's day, when you don't know the terrain.