Careful preparation key to keeping safe outdoors

Mountain Safety Council Outdoor Leader/Bush Programme Manager Chris Tews says the situation of the missing tramper in the Rimutaka Forest Park north of Wellington highlights the importance of being fully prepared when venturing into the outdoors.

“From a general safety perspective, outdoor bush environments present numerous hazards such as difficult terrain, rivers, and the potential to become lost.

“Outdoor hazards become more acute as weather conditions worsen, particularly as New Zealand is subject to rapidly changeable weather patterns,” says Mr Tews.

Mountain Safety Council recommends all people venturing into bush environments carry some means of emergency communication, either a mountain radio or a personal locator beacon and are equipped to take shelter for an extra night or two if a problem arises such as deteriorating weather or injury making the return trip hazardous.

“Even experienced trampers can strike problems in the outdoors. Survival may then rely on your ability to wait it out until conditions improve or to raise the alarm quickly. Careful preparation, making the right decisions and having a back-up plan when things go wrong can ensure your outdoor activity is safe and enjoyable,” he said.

When venturing into the outdoors the Mountain Safety Council advises the 7 rules of outdoor safety:

Plan your trip thoroughly:
Carry sufficient clothing, equipment, food and water
Carry a means of emergency communication:
Check the weather forecast:
Check track and hut conditions:
Beware of rivers – if in doubt DO NOT CROSS
Prepare for Emergencies

The 7 Rules of Outdoor Safety
1. Plan your trip thoroughly:
· Leave an Intentions Form with a responsible person. This should include:
· The route you intent to take
· The party size, and experience level of the group
· Time of return.

2. Carry sufficient clothing, equipment, food and water:
· Take appropriate equipment
· Take extra equipment in case of emergencies
· Take navigation equipment and know how to use it.

3. Carry a means of emergency communication:
· Mountain radio, satellite phone, or personal locator beacon.
A radio communications device is necessary in the outdoors where cellphone reception may be limited or unavailable. Emergency communication devices can be hired at minimal cost or purchased. For your nearest hire location visit www.mountainsafety.org.nz.

4. Check the weather forecast:
· Monitor the weather in the days before you leave
· Continually monitor weather conditions during the trip.

5. Check track and hut conditions:
· Check with Department of Conservation, locals, local tramping clubs, Regional Authorities or District Councils.

6. Beware of rivers – if in doubt DO NOT CROSS
· Know when, where and how to cross
· Attend a river safety course before you go. These are available nationwide through the Mountain Safety Council.

7. Prepare for Emergencies
· When things go wrong, use the STOP model for making decisions:
Stop: Take a breath, sit down and remain calm
Think: Look around you, listen, brainstorm options
Observe: Observe what is around you, evaluate the potential consequences
Plan: Plan to do what is necessary to keep alive, then act!
Water, shelter, warmth and the will to survive are the essential elements to your survival, but if in doubt - stay put.

More information on outdoor safety can be found on the Mountain Safety Council’s website www.mountainsafety.org.nz.