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Australia is the most sparsely populated of all
the inhabited continents in the world.
Many overseas visitors and even locals familiar only with the more
densely populated coastal areas may be unaware of just how remote it can be
in the outback. You will almost
certainly have no mobile phone coverage except for satellite phones, and CB
radio will also be out of range from any assistance. If you break down you may be literally
hundred of kilometres from the nearest help, and
if you have gone off the beaten track there may be no passing traffic. The following basic precautions should be
taken whenever venturing into remote areas.
• Stay
on tracks.
• If
possible travel with at least one other vehicle.
• If
this is not possible it essential to have some means of emergency
communication. Either satellite
phone or an HF radio set that operates on the 4WD network VKS 737 is
recommended. An EPIRB is another
option.
• If
there is a traveller registration scheme
available, use it. The NT Parks and
Wildlife Service operates a free service of this
sort. If there is no registration
scheme available try to ensure that some reliable person knows where you
are going, and when you expect to get back, and update this information
every few days.
• Always
carry water (5 litres per person per day is
recommended). If this is carried
externally to your vehicle it is a good idea the have it in at least two
separate containers so that damage to one container does not lose all your
water.
• Be
cautious – don’t take unnecessary risks.
• Finally,
and most importantly, if you do break down or get stuck NEVER leave your
vehicle. A vehicle is much easier to
find than a person, and attempts to walk out for assistance have all too
often ended in tragedy.
These are only the basics, and are intended to
alert you to the need to be extra careful when travelling in remote
areas. There is of course a lot of
information available about vehicle preparation and what spares and
equipment to carry, and you should also give careful consideration to that.
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