SITTTOP005 – Operate tours in a remote area
In this study guide you will learn how to;
- Use bush craft ad survival techniques
- Operate remote area communications equipment
- Conduct remote area touring activities with minimal impact
Note: this study guide will provide you with basic bushcraft skills only. A range of reference documents are cited throughout the study material and it is recommended that you download these and keep them in your professional portfolio for future use, and further study.
Introduction
Travelling in Australia’s remote areas can be a truly great experience. It offers spectacular scenery and the opportunity for adventure; from parched desert-scapes, to rainforests and vast stretches of bushland. It is a land filled with natural beauty.
It can also, however, be a land that poses great risks if you fail to prepare properly. Each year up to a quarter of the emergency medical evacuations carried out in remote areas are the result of city travellers who get into trouble in isolated and remote areas.
So adequate preparation before undertaking a journey or accepting employment in the outback will lessen the chance of running onto difficulty or jeopardising human life. There have been many cases where loss of life has resulted from a lack of foresight into the problems involved in touring remote areas.
When preparing a tour destined for out of the way, and possibly hostile terrain, it is vital to know;
- whether the area you are travelling to is accessible by vehicle
- where fuel and water sources are located
- the best route to, and throughout, the region
- what alternate routes you could use if necessary
- what navigational aids you will have at your disposal
- what positions of evacuation are available, should they be needed; and
- where the local inhabitants are, within the area
With this basic knowledge, you can then begin to put together an enjoyable, educational and safe tour.
Use bushcraft and survival techniques.
Contrary to what most people might think, bushcraft is not purely about survival, it is about living comfortably, while sustainably, in natural bushland settings, and therefore feeling part of the natural world.
Bushcraft, can include the skills to be able to build a shelter, source food and water, as well as being aware of a range of survival skills which include navigating when lost or when maps and navigation equipment fails, and signaling for help when communications equipment fails
Pre-tour Planning
Because the consequences of not being prepared properly can be severe, there are a number of things to be considered when getting ready to lead a tour including:
- Equipment needed – The equipment you take needs to be serviceable and in sufficient quantities for the trip, taking unforeseen circumstances into account. The amount of equipment you need to take will, clearly, also depend on the size of the group you are leading. If in any doubt allow additional equipment.
- Communications – reliable communications equipment is vital when touring to remote areas. You may need to check in with your tour company on a daily basis, in order to report your progress or any issues you are facing, or you may need to contact local authorities, such as police, in an emergency. We will look at communication options later in the unit.
- Use of Maps – The Australian landscape can be very monotonous. There are usually few landmarks or signposts on outback roads, so any maps that you need should cover the entire area so the route can be properly plotted and you don’t become lost or disorientated. It is also a good idea to mark your position on the map, as the tour proceeds, so that you can pinpoint your location at any given time and provide exact positions should you need assistance. Understanding manual navigation using maps also provides a critical backup in case of failure of electronic GPS devices.
- Time allowance – consider the time allocated to the tour, as well as the extra time needed, in terms of tour duration and the sites being visited. Extra consideration should also be given to;
- When you are leaving
- How long the tour will take
- Where you will stop to camp
- When you are due to arrive at each stop
- Allowing a safety margin in case of mishaps or delays
- Weather Conditions – The weather in the area you are travelling to and/or through, must always be considered. Road and touring conditions can vary according to local rainfall or other weather based anomalies. You should be aware of the changes of season in the area that you are touring, as this will impact on the success of the tour. For example, when travelling through the northern part of Queensland in January, there is a risk of being flooded out by monsoons that generally strike at that time of the year. Check with police or local authorities after heavy rainfall, as many outback roads can be closed. Depending on the group you are leading, remember that if you take them out to remote desert areas during the height of summer, it can be extremely hot or humid. This may have a negative impact on tour guests, who are not used to extreme heat or the discomfort of high humidity.
- Area knowledge – Learn as much as possible about the areas that the tour will be travelling through. Local knowledge will help to survive in it. Things to understand include;
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- any dangerous animals or reptiles you are likely to come across, that could pose a risk
- insects, flies and mosquitoes that you may need to guard against
- any prickle bushes or any poisonous or discomforting plants
- any edible wild foods and bush tucker that might be useful (if only to add local ‘flavour’ to the tour)
- location of any available water sources
- location of any caves, mine-workings, holes and local problems in the areas you are visiting
- any diseases that you may need to guard against
- environmental impact of tourism. You will need to understand how touring in a given area, might impact on the local community, flora and/or fauna. Steps maybe necessary to minimize any harm, caused by this impact (we will look at this in more detail later in the unit)
- Notifications – Before leaving on any journey to remote areas, you should always notify a responsible person (for example: tour company staff member, station owners or local police or SES) of the following;
-
- Estimated time of departure [ETD] of the tour
- Proposed and alternate routes the tour will be taking
- Estimated time of arrival [ETA] at each intended stop
- Transport – the type of vehicle you choose for safe outback travel, will depend on the load that you are going to carry. As well as major items such as fuel, food and water, you may also be carrying camping equipment, cooking gear, vehicle spares, tools, recovery equipment, an extra spare tyre and passengers. If you are travelling ‘off road’, the vehicle will need to withstand the harsh and rugged conditions you may encounter. The vehicle will not only be a means of transport, it will also be a home and the biggest aid to survival, should something unforeseen happen. As such, your vehicle must be in first class mechanical condition and the following items should be checked at the end of each day, as a matter of course.
Check;
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- engine drive belts
- engine oil and coolant levels
- Check fuel filter [if possible]
- Clean air cleaner
- Clean radiator fins
- Clean windscreen and headlights
- brake, clutch and power steering fluid levels
- engine for oil or coolant leaks
- transmission and differential for oil leaks
- all steering rods, chassis and joints for wear and cracking
- all tyre pressures and signs of damage
- fuel level
- battery levels
…continued in learner guide….