Outback Australia Safety Tips

By Melinda Wythes

Without a doubt, the Australian outback offers international tourists a varied cultural experience compared to most other countries.  The outback is a term loosely used in Australia and refers most land outside of urban inhabitants.  The outback consists of desert land and "the bush" regions and covers the majority of Australia and is home of only 10% of the Australian population.

Tourists come to the Australian outback to experience the history of the bushrangers, to learn about the native aboriginal people and to relive the adventure of the "Jolly Swagman" from the 'Waltzing Matilda' song.  However, due to the low population and the vast area of land that is Australia, people neglect to consider the precautions that are needed in order to enjoy the outback Australia.

Here are a few tips that should be followed in order to stay safe and enjoy your Australian Outback Adventure:

1. Your vehicle should be sturdy, reliable and have good ground clearance- it would be a good idea to have a machanic check over the vehicle before leaving to ensure it is able to make the long, hot trip.  Take with you spare fuel and oil, a first aid kit and a good spare tyre.
2. Make sure you pack all of the following gear, to ensure your safety and it may be required incase anything does go wrong.  Clothes will be needed for both freezing and warm temperatures (as night time does get to below zero in the desert); good quality and up-to-date maps and compass; food and prescribed medication for the whole time you are in the outback and a few extra days supply and matches for warmth.
3. Due to the vast areas and low population, there is not much water freely available in the Australian outback.  It is strongly advised that you carry at least 10 litres of water per person per day to ensure that you, and anyone with you, do not get dehydrated or run out of water.
4. Let someone know your plans at all times; where you are going, how long you will be and date and time of arrival.  If you do not arrive back in a reasonable time, they should let the Australian police know.
5. It is also strongly advised that you take a satellite phone with you, as most mobile phones will not have coverage in the Australian outback.  Do not forget to have the Australian emergency contact numbers and phone numbers of your friends and family members, just in case.
6. If an accident does occur, do not leave your vehicle; as most rescues in the desert will be preformed by aircraft, it is easier to see a vehicle than a person on foot.  Also the vehicle is the place where all you food and water will be.
7. When traveling through a town, talk to the police about the road and conditions for the next place you are headed.  If an accident does occur it will be easier to locate you if officials know you latest whereabouts.
8. If you see animals near the road, please slow down as they will cross in front of you which can cause an accident as well as harm native wildlife.  To be more cautious, avoid driving late at night, at dawn or dusk, as the animals are most active at these times.
9. As roads are generally narrow in the outback, when you are passing large, heavy trucks, it is polite to slow down and move to the left of the road, sometimes this will mean having the wheels on the right side of your vehicle off the road.  
10. Keep up-to-date where possible for weather conditions and road conditions.  Check out www.bom.gov.au for the weather and www.rac.com.au for road conditions.

There are many dangers in the Australian outback; everyone knows about the snakes and spiders, but it can be the heat that will effect most people.  Here are a few tips as to what you should do if someone becomes sick in the outback.

Prevention is better than cue; you should always wear thick leather boots that come up around your ankle and avoid walking in long grass, if you need to walk in long grass walk slowly, making some noise to scare any snakes away.

If you happen to get bitten by a snake or spider, prevent the venom moving through your body by quickly wrapping a bandage around the bite and up and down the limb, applying pressure at the same time.  Leave a bit of the end of the bandage out at the bite, so that when you get the hospital the nurses and doctors can quickly find it.  Stay as still as possible, and do not move the bitten limb at all, as the more movement will make the venom spread around the body.  If you have no bandages, rip a t-shirt or stocking.  Try to remember what the snake looked like and get to a hospital as soon as possible.  

Due to the high temperatures of the Australian outback deserts, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps can occur.  Symptoms of heat stroke include red, hot, dry skin, small pupils and a high body temperature, sometimes up to 105 degrees.  In the case that someone is suffering from heat stroke, try to get them as cool as quickly as possible, by any means and seek medical treatment.  Left untreated, they can get hot enough to cause brain damage.  

Less dangerous is heat exhaustion, where fluid is loss from the body, reducing blood flow to organs and causing shock.  Look if someone is pale, cool and moist skin while sweating heavily with wide, diluted pupils, suffering from headaches, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.  Position the person in a cool place, on their back with feet in the air, loosen their clothing and if conscious, give them water every 15 minutes and cool them down by applying cool packs or water, etc.  If untreated it can lead to heat stroke, but it is not as serious as heat stroke.

To avoid heat cramps keep your fluids high.  They are muscular spasms and pain in the abdomen or legs and occur due to a loss of water and salt through sweating.  Cool the person down in a cool spot and give them half a glass  of water every 15 minutes.

Also, incase of an accident and someone broken a bone you should not straighten it unless the hand or foot is blue, numb or paralysed.  Make a sling with bandages or a ripped up t-shirt and use something long and hard to keep the limb immobilised.  For an arm, secure the arm to the torso with bandages.  

The Australian outback is a very vast and isolated area; all precautions listed above should taken into consideration.  We hope you have a safe and happy holiday and enjoy you Aussie outback adventure.

Please watch the following video about outback road safety!