PLB, again.
Original post
Hunter lost on Stewart Island, not in a good way, discovers sheath knife is screwing with compass needle.
""I was cutting it [the liver] off with the knife and putting it up to my mouth, and I realised the compass around my neck, the needle was moving.
"I knew I was plum in the wrong spot.""
Finds high ground, aims for beach, writes 'HELP' in sand, discovered by helicopter search 4th day.
""In hindsight, he said he should have taken a GPS system and personal locator beacon with him (on an intended 5hr hunt)...
"At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter how good you are in the bush, I still needed the chopper to find me."
Southland police search and rescue squad member Detective Dougall Henderson said having back-ups for light sources, fire starters, and navigational devices was key.
It was also vital to carry a personal locator beacon.""
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/vObPHoONa1Z0MHJYXgHJClj6BQk=/620x504/smart/filters:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-syd-prod-nzme.s3.amazonaws.com/public/VP5M5Q47IJD63HPWW5NOLN55L4.jpg
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12321443
Yes - this reinforces for me the risk I reckon many of us 'experienced' trampers / hunters / bushworkers take. That is carrying far less emergency gear with us on a day walk than we would for something longer. The reality is that the chances per hour of something going wrong on a day trip are no better than on a week-long trip. But how many of us are well prepared for a) calling rescue, and b) a night out under the elements?
I always have my inreach with me these days, after a close call a few years back. And firelighting gear and a silver blanket and a minimum of one layer of thermals on top of what I expect to wear in the day. But it would be a long, cold, miserable night if I really did have to spend it above the bushline (and we have no bush here anyway so that's 'everywhere') with nothing to burn. But then with a light pack ready for a load of meat, or a pack full of traps or even worse just a bum-bag to carry gear in because I've a knapsack on my back, how much is it realistic to carry?
What do you carry in a daypack on a daywalk or when working in the bush?
1 kg first aid kit as personal gear (this contains a foil blanket) Clothing much the same as you although any time except high summer this might be a full change. Plb in the group Scroggin as a quantity that would prevent starvation for many days. Full set wet weather gear
Why do I struggle with a 40l pack on day trips
Tramping Club has had the odd day trip unexpectedly pro-longed and requiring headlamps.
I carry my full emergency kit, PLB, GPS, maps, etc with me. Also, wet weather and back up warm gear.
Sometimes it feels like overkill but better o have it and not need it than the alternative.
Anyway, that plus lunch and a drink probably weighs about 5kg so hardly a struggle to carry.
he didnt know that metal affects compasses? lucky it hasnt happened to him earlier....
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| Forum | The campfire |
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| Started by | Pro-active |
| On | 1 April 2020 |
| Replies | 5 |
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