Mountain Safety Council Praises trampers for sound preparation
Tuesday 22 July 2008, 1:40PM
By NZ Mountain Safety Council
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The Mountain Safety Council has praised a couple tramping in the Tararua Ranges for their sound preparation and decision-making.
On the third day of a five-day tramp, the woman slipped on a log and fractured her right ankle, half an hour from the Penn Creek hut in the Otaki Catchment.
Outdoor Leader/Bush Programme Manager Chris Tews said the couple had taken the sensible precaution of carrying an emergency mountain radio – ensuring a safe, quick rescue.
“Thanks to simple precaution of taking a mountain radio, within two hours of police being alerted the injured woman had been picked up by rescue helicopter and flown to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment.
“To get cellphone coverage would have involved hours of walking. With the emergency radio, the trampers were able to alert search and rescue to what had occurred, who was involved and where they were located.
“The couple are to be applauded for being well-prepared, having the right equipment and making the right decisions to secure a safe return,” he said.
Mountain Safety Council recommends all people venturing into the bush to carry some means of emergency communication, either a mountain radio or a 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 from locations around the country,” said Mr Tews.
Mountain Safety Council advises everyone venturing into the outdoors to:
1. Plan the trip thoroughly – including telling someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back
2. Carry sufficient clothing, equipment, food and water
3. Carry a means of emergency communication
4. Check the weather forecast
5. Check track and hut conditions
6. Beware of rivers – if in doubt DO NOT CROSS
7. Prepare for emergencies.
For your nearest mountain radio hire location and for more information on outdoor safety visit the Mountain Safety Council’s website www.mountainsafety.org.nz.