Archive | Bushwalking safety

Battery Testing for torches

By Keith Maxwell on 30 January, 2019 in Bushwalking safety

Should a small battery tester be considered an essential item of bushwalking equipment? Modern LED torches just keep getting better and better. Battery technology has also gone forward in leaps and bounds with various types that seem to last forever and ever – “best before 20xx”.

My first bushwalking torches used incandescent light bulbs that were miniature versions of house light globes. Like house globes, torch globes had a limited life span so the folklore was always to carry a spare globe. But LED lights are so much brighter from a lamp with an almost infinite life span plus they keep getting better and better. A little while ago the switch on a 100 Lumen head torch failed. The replacement torch under warranty was 160 Lumens. Same model just a few months apart.

Our early torch batteries were the ‘red’ carbon batteries. The Zinc case formed part of the electrical reaction. They would self-discharge in a short time (go flat) often leaving a corrosive mess. The batteries were not very powerful so torches had to be big to hold “C” or “D” (large batteries). Now, alkaline “AA” and “AAA” batteries can be purchased in multi packs. Even better types of battery are available or your choice of rechargeable battery.

Thus, it is easy to keep a light, compact, bright headlight torch that uses small “AAA” batteries at the bottom of the day pack ‘just in case’ – no wandering in the dark from an unexpected delay.

However, since batteries last so long it is easy to forget to check them. Most LED torches have a system of still giving out light as the batteries progressively fail. Corrosion can still eventually happen. So, you turn on your torch in a bright room and you have light but how good is it really?

Such a torch let us down recently at a disused, open access railway tunnel at Helensburgh. This amazing long single-track tunnel was brick lined for reinforcement. The current double track railway through the mountainous terrain has by passed this tunnel. It was dark enough to have impressive glow worms.

Fortunately, a dud torch was not a problem as our group had all taken spare torches. Later at home, I found corrosion had started on one battery. My battery tester indicated that the other batteries were also on the way out.

When did you last properly check your emergency torch? Importantly, when will be your next check? Over time I have seen a range of different battery testers with one thing in common. They were all cheap. There is no reason not to have a battery tester so you can be sure your emergency torch won’t let you down.

Keith Maxwell.

Be extra snake aware this summer

By Keith Maxwell on 1 January, 2019 in Bushwalking safety

The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) of 31 December 2018 has a worrying report of two deaths from Tiger Snake bite. Antivenom was administered but it would seem that the dose was insufficient to counteract the snake venom. The SMH article suggests that there may be disagreement within the medical profession regarding the guidelines for the correct dose of antivenom; just how much antivenom is an appropriate dose of the latest type of antivenom. However, there is a call for more research in this matter that has been echoed by the Victorian Coroner.

Any snake bite victim needs to seen promptly by medical services. Despite this SMH report death from snake bite is now rare with modern antivenom.

Now since snakes are more likely to be active in the recent warm weather bushwalkers need to be more vigilant than usual and consider protective measures such as wearing gaiters or long trousers. As always, it is better to never get bitten but never forget your First Aid training for the treatment of snake bite. The necessary broad bandage needs to be easily accessible such as near the top of your rucksack.

A recent post from the Royal Flying Doctor at https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/news/flying-doctor-issues-new-snakebite-advice/ contains excellent advise for treatment of snake bite.

Keith Maxwell.

Bushwalkers help in cold case

By Keith Maxwell on 1 November, 2018 in Bushwalking history, Bushwalking safety

Teenager, Trudie Adams went missing in 1978 while hitch hiking home in the Northern Beaches area. Bush Search and Rescue NSW (BSAR) took part in the subsequent NSW Police investigation of this disappearance.

On Tuesday evening 30 October ABC TV aired a program on missing person, Trudie Adams. At that time none of our members wore any style of uniform, even the Committee. So Bushwalkers Search and Rescue (full name then was the ‘Search and Rescue Section of the NSW Federation of Bushwalking Clubs’ now BSAR) was often just mentioned as among the ‘volunteers’. The TV program aired a lot of archival news footage but nothing of BSAR members. The NSW Police uniform was very different to now.

BSAR rescheduled a training weekend for the search. Walkers went home each night. Sunday morning had a particularly fierce frost. The area was very different to now. An oval (now gone) at the junction of Mona Vale Road and the Forest Way was the search command base. Mona Vale Road was just one lane each way except for a long slip lane from the Forest Way towards Mona Vale.

Long stretches either side of Mona Vale were searched. Among the ‘finds’ was a pile of Playboy magazines. We could only guess why they were dumped; upcoming marriage? A dank pool of water was bubbling. This was from something dead but a pig not a person. Equally, the Police were interested in a mound from a small grave but it was that of a dog. Other tracks in the immediate area were also searched. On Sunday, one searcher noticed a garbage bag under a tree. The Police got very excited when it turned out to be a sawn off shot gun! It was promptly collected by the relevant Police Squad.

Later, the family of Trudie Adams sent a hand written thank you note to BSAR.

The past is always another country, especially 1978. BSAR still had their basic first generation field radio – AM HF. There are two more TV programs to come about this unsolved disappearance. Pre program promotion suggests that a murky time of Police corruption may be investigated in the next two weeks.

BSAR Update

By Jaimey Foti on 18 August, 2018 in Bushwalking safety

BUSH SEARCH AND RESCUE NSW Inc.

Keith Maxwell – President BSAR

Bush Search and Rescue NSW (BSAR) was founded as the self-help and self-contained “Search and Rescue Section” of the NSW Federation of Bushwalking Clubs in 1936 by Paddy Pallin plus a number of prominent bushwalkers of that time. BSAR is held in high regard with NSW Police. This report can only provide an overview of a very active volunteer rescue group.

THE BIG PICTURE. In April of 2017 Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad (BWRS) changed its name to BSAR. BSAR is a specialist remote area bush search and rescue squad affiliated with the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA). Some other specialist squads of the VRA includes NSW Cave Rescue, Australian Civil Air Patrol (AusCAP) and radio squads WICEN & CREST. For more information see the VRA website at www.rescue.org.au

A YEAR of CHANGE. After a long period of consultation plus a member vote BSAR has decided to change from affiliation with the VRA to become part of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES). It is not just that BSAR is now in a stronger financial position. An equal (major) consideration was the ability to better continue its role as a valuable community resource as a volunteer remote area search and rescue squad. The volunteer s & r space is changing with changes in volunteering within SES.

A full changeover will take time with rebranding of our Rooty Hill building, new vehicles (& sale of VRA branded Toyota and trailer), new equipment, membership induction plus supply of uniforms etc. Completion of the four stage process will continue into 2018 / 2019.

TRAINING. BSAR has a strong membership and an active training program to assist completion of nationally recognised Competency Based Training (CBT). CBT will now be progressively aligned to SES requirements. Like all emergency services BSAR members must quantify their skills through CBT. Operational members are experienced bushwalkers with a mix of additional skills in radio communication, vertical rescue, observation, emergency management, First Aid and other bush search and rescue skills.

EQUIPMENT. This change has given BSAR access to far greater resources and equipment. A major change for BSAR will be access to “GRN” (Government Radio Network). In various forms GRN attempts to link communications throughout all NSW government agencies from NP&WS to Police, RFS, NSW Ambulance etc. Over time BSAR will receive new radios and appropriate training. BSAR still has its existing, outstanding HF radio network.

CALLOUTS. During the past year BSAR was placed on STANDBY numerous times for incidents (with missing persons) that were quickly resolved. However, in November 2017 assisted NSW Police at Katoomba to locate and retrieve the body of a visitor from France. He had fallen over one of the big cliffs in the area. In May, BSAR assisted in a forensic search near Ingar Picnic Ground, Wentworth Falls then in June BSAR was part of a large search at Mt Ku-ring-gai for a visiting Chinese student to Australia. More recently the body was located some distance from the search area.

NAVSHIELD. Warm days (but cold nights) made for an enjoyable NavShield 2018 on the last weekend of June. NavShield is a major bush navigation (map and compass) training event for the Emergency Services and bushwalking club teams. Renewed publicity within SES refreshed participant numbers to almost 500. The location was dry woodland of the Macdonald River off the Putty Road. Bushwalking club teams performed well. Full details and results are available at the BSAR website – www.bsar.org.au

OXFAM TRAILWALKER. TrailWalker in August each year has grown to become a 100km / 48 hour OR 50km / 24 hour track & fire road walkathon that uses bushland on the northern fringe of Sydney. BSAR provides first and second safety response teams, over shifts, for this event of around 3,000 participants!! TrailWalker provides both excellent member training and practice in co-ordination of BSAR teams whilst being involved in community outreach. See the OXFAM website for route details of this special event – https://trailwalker.oxfam.org.au/sydney/trail/

BARRINGTON TOPS. In September of recent years BSAR has also held a multi-agency training event to continue searching for a Cessna plane lost at night in bad weather of August 1981. While many planes have failed to successfully fly over Barrington Tops, “VH-MDX” is the only plane whose location remains a mystery.

SAFETY ASSISTANCE. During the year BSAR also provided safety assistance at several outdoors events including the Paddy Pallin Rogaine in June.

FIRST AID. The current version of First Aid training offered by BSAR is very popular. In 2018 THREE cycles of training will occur instead of the usual two. Courses in the ONE Day St John Ambulance “Provide First Aid” (formerly known as “Senior First Aid”) OR three day “Remote Area First Aid (RAFA)” fill up quickly. BSAR offers this training to spread First Aid knowledge generally among bushwalkers. Training is bushwalker friendly with a volunteer bushwalker instructor plus a discount fee. Register at the BSAR website.

In 2019 Bushwalking NSW will take over access to this First Aid training since BSAR cannot continue this model of instruction within SES.

OUTREACH. BSAR is active through the digital world on its website with detailed information on bush safety, distress beacons, recent callouts and links to other sites such as the NSW Police TREK program of free PLB hire and BNSW (Bushwalking NSW). BSAR is also active on FaceBook and Twitter. Eventually, BSAR as part of SES will have to close its website – www.bsar.org.au All options are being explored to continue digital dissemination of the above information.

MEMBERSHIP. Membership of BSAR remains a valuable ‘fit’ for BNSW bushwalkers keen to volunteer their time in community service. We have tasks big and small to suit all levels of commitment. Contact the BSAR Secretary at secretary@bsar.org.au

CONCLUSION. BSAR with its great people and diverse events is held in high regard by NSW Police and now the SES for remote area search and rescue. While it is a very different organisation to that founded in 1936 it is still committed to assisting persons in distress in remote areas. 2018 / 2019 will be a year of change as BSAR fully integrates into SES and explores the opportunities to better serve the community. Access to GRN will enhance our remote area communications. NavShield 2018 was a great event. Other training was very successful. St John Ambulance “Provide First Aid” and “RAFA” courses offered via BSAR are very popular. BSAR is digitally active in encouraging bush safety.

Bushwalkers Search and Rescue

By Keith Maxwell on 29 June, 2018 in Bushwalking history, Bushwalking safety

It is time to explore past history of Bushwalkers Search and Rescue via the web. Search and rescue in NSW has evolved considerably since Bushwalkers Search and Rescue was established in 1936 as the S & R Section of the NSW Federation of Bushwalking Clubs (now Bushwalking NSW). In the early days radio communication did not exist and helicopters only came into common use during the 1970s. The files also provide a snap shot of bushwalking history as equipment and knowledge improved so new areas were explored. Newspaper items are featured.

NSW Police and Bushwalkers S&R Search Managers at John Keys search 1977

Highlights in this past history include the first search in 1936; major searches for missing school girls during 1960s; the amazing rescue of Dennis Rittson from Kalang Falls in 1970; 1982, three killed in a sudden flash flood of Claustral Canyon; 1993, the search for crew of a plane crash in the Kanangra Boyd area; numerous reports of Barrington Tops searches over many years for a Cessna lost in 1981 plus much much more.

Unfortunately while there are a number of deaths there are far more successful outcomes.

Bushwalkers S & R has also changed as s & r methods have improved so it is now part of NSW SES as Bush Search and Rescue NSW.

Start exploring at the link below. (Be amazed!)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cSOMp9zsdYCFG7qbtHrrSQ2-i36U64Pz?ogsrc=32

Stretcher Practice

By Jaimey Foti on 5 May, 2018 in Bushwalking safety

Shoalhaven Bushwalkers had a first aid incident recently that resulted in some rather creative first aid practice involving a makeshift stretcher.

A short while into an off-track walk, one of their members ruptured his achilles tendon jumping between rocks.

After discussed diagnosis and plan of action, three members returned slowly with the patient, using borrowed walking poles, to the cars.

While waiting for the return of two of the walkers, the remaining group decided to do a bit of first aid practice. Since there were no heavy duty rain jackets in the gear that day, they decided to try making a stretcher out of day packs.

As you can see, this was their successful result. In a real situation the packs could be emptied to lighten the load leaving a few soft items for support!

Photo: Karen Davis.

BUSH SEARCH AND RESCUE NSW TO JOIN NSW STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE

By Jaimey Foti on 5 May, 2018 in Bushwalking safety

Bush Search and Rescue NSW have today announced that they have joined the NSW State

Emergency Service as the NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit (NSW SES BSAR).

The move is an exciting development in the history of BSAR NSW, the oldest volunteer land

search unit in Australia, and will build on the existing land search capability within the SES.

With a focus on remote area searches, conducted in rough and challenging terrain, over 100

members of Bush Search and Rescue NSW will bring their knowledge and experience of working

in wilderness areas to the NSW SES. With expertise in bush navigation, search techniques,

canyon and vertical searching, BSAR will form an integral part of the SES’ response to land search

operations across the state.

President of Bush Search and Rescue NSW, Keith Maxwell says,

“Since 1936, BSAR has brought together experienced and skilled bushwalkers, many with valuable

local knowledge of wilderness areas, to assist the NSW Police and other agencies in searching for

missing people and aircraft. Our move to work as a unit within the NSW SES, will only go to

strengthen the existing relationships we have with the SES and help provide the best possible land

search and rescue capability to the people of NSW.”

The move comes at a time when the NSW SES is undergoing significant change to its structures

and organisation. These changes, spearheaded by their ‘Volunteering Reimagined’ initiative,

opens up new ways of building capability and capacity, within a new and flexible model of

volunteering.

“I am proud and honoured to welcome the Bush Search and Rescue into the NSW SES. The

BSAR volunteers will greatly enhance our Service’s remote search capability, bringing a wealth of

specialised experience with an excellent reputation. They are now very much a part of our NSW

SES family, and I look forward to them supporting search operations across the state.” Mark

Smethurst, NSW SES Commissioner.

NSW SES BSAR will operate as a unit within the SES and continue to be available to respond to

remote area land searches 24/7, as they have done under the umbrella of the Volunteer Rescue

Association (VRA), since 1970.

As hosts of the annual NavShield event (Australian Emergency Services Wilderness Navigation

Shield), BSAR are looking forward to the event sitting within the SES and continuing to grow the

training, development and team building opportunities that this premier navigation event offers.

For media enquiries, please contact: publicity@bsar.org.au | 0412 304 071 or

secretary@bsar.org.au

Photo courtesy of Caro Ryan

Bushwalkers & Rogainers 30th Annual NavShield

By Jaimey Foti on 2 April, 2018 in Awards & Recognition, Bushwalking safety, Events, Training

Press Release to Bushwalkers & Rogainers

30th Annual NavShield

23 & 24 June 2018

Great Navigation Training Opportunity!

Please add to your winter activities program

The NSW Emergency Services Wilderness Navigation Shield (NavShield), is a rogain event where teams
attempt to gain as many points as possible by finding their way on foot, through unfamiliar wilderness terrain
to pre-marked checkpoints.

The course covers an area of approximately 80 square kilometres with only traditional map and compass
navigation techniques permitted. There are both day and overnight event options.
The course is set by a team of skilled navigators from Bush Search and Rescue NSW (the oldest land
search and rescue unit in Australia) – the official Search & Rescue arm of Bushwalking NSW.

The course is set in a secret location (approx 2.5 hrs from Sydney) and will take place on the last weekend
of June 2018.

Encompassing the finest traditions and character of off-track bushwalking, NavShield is an opportunity to
get back to basics and work on important navigation skills, without the use of GPS technology.
It’s an ideal training opportunity for your club members to learn and practice on a fun and enjoyable
weekend. You can choose to make it as competitive or as amateur/fun as you like!

We ask all bushwalking clubs to please add this great event to their calendars and encourage teams to take
part.

With a successful 30 year history, we want to make this year’s event one to celebrate and are planning for it
to be a standout event. If you or your club has ever considered taking part, or perhaps attended past events,
we invite you to make a commitment to be a part of this 30th year celebration event.

To celebrate and thanks to the generous support of our friends in SES and RFS, we’ve reduced the entry
fee to only $40 per person. All the more reason to get involved!

Past events have seen entries from a variety of Bushwalking Clubs and Rogainers, Police, Ambulance, Rural
Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Rescue Association and the Armed Forces.

Now is the time to organise and motivate your club to take part in this great event!

Registrations open 2 April.

For all details and registration, visit Bush Search and Rescue NSW.

Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) at work

By Jaimey Foti on 16 October, 2017 in Bushwalking safety

Barrington Tops OPEX.

This annual September search (OPEX) for the missing Cessna plane VH-MDX in Barrington Tops has become a major multi agency training exercise. Also present were various SES, RFS and VRA units / personnel.

September Callout

For two days in late September Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) assisted NSW Police in a search for a missing elderly man with dementia. He had been missing for a number of days in urban bush land near Baulkham Hills. As always, the areas BSAR searched were tracked (for later download) on our GPS receivers. Unfortunately, his location is still unknown.

Web page

Web page hosting has generally moved on. BSAR has used this opportunity to update its web page. As usual, BSAR still has worthwhile content on GPS, distress beacons (PLB and EPIRB), the Police TREK program for free PLB loan, outback communications and bush safety.

See www.bsar.org.au

Community Involvement

On 7^th October BSAR will again be active in safety support for an outdoors event in the Blue Mountains. Participants in the Hounslow Classic will do challenging ascents as they traverse the Grose Valley from Blackheath.

Among the many recent outdoors events where BSAR has offered safety support is OXFAM TrailWalker. BSAR provided Safety Response Teams for this 48 hour event.

BSAR uses the outdoors skills of bushwalkers to provide a well-respected community service in remote area search and rescue. In 1936 the ‘Search and Rescue Section’ of Bushwalking NSW was established. It is now BSAR.

Guest Author: Keith Maxwell

Bushwalking: Get There and Back Safely – NavShield 2017

By Andrew Barker on 28 July, 2017 in Awards & Recognition, Bushwalking safety, Events

NavShield – Teams from clubs of BNSW achieved good results in the 29^th NavShield held at Marramarra National Park on the edge of Sydney. Over 400 persons participated in this annual remote area map and compass navigation training event for emergency services. Bush Search and Rescue NSW (BSAR) would love to accept more BNSW Club teams into their great navigation event that is designed for all levels of navigator fro m beginner to very competent.

NavShield 2018- Personnel from SES, RFS, VRA, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance plus bushwalking clubs all participate in a friendly atmosphere at NavShield in either the ONE day or TWO day event.

June 25^th & 26^th 2018 will be our 30^th NavShield. Mark your diary now but be aware that NavShield is addictive. This year BSAR handed out 25 year Attendance Awards!

First Aid – As well as encouraging navigation skills, BSAR would like to encourage First Aid skills in bushwalking clubs.

Shortly, registration will open for November courses in St John Ambulance “Provide First Aid” (one day course) or “Remote Area First Aid” (RAFA a three day course). All enrolment and FA course details will eventually be at the BSAR website – www.bsar.org.au Be quick; don’t wait to enrol in these popular courses.

Take time at this website to explore information on bush safety, distress beacons (Personal Locator Beacons – PLB), GPS receivers, outdoors communication, NavShield results plus how you can be part of that great community service of Bushwalking NSW, Bush Search and Rescue NSW.