Bushwalker Wilderness Rescue
Keith Maxwell Director
What is Bushwalker Wilderness Rescue
How is Bushwalker Wilderness Rescue Organised?
On Tuesday 7th October, 1997 a group of two couples was reported overdue on a bushwalk in the Ettrema region. The long weekend had started out fine but had deteriorated into state wide rain. Their trip was from The Jumps down Bullfrog Creek. Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue was contacted by Wollongong Police Rescue but even as the details were being discussed a phone call came in on another line that the group were OK. Another one for the books.
Late Friday afternoon on 10th October, 1997 BWR was called out by Berrima VRA to assist with a search for a group of three that were well overdue. They had planned to descend Starlights Track on Monday afternoon 6th October.
I was nearly home when the pager went off. There was also a message waiting to call Berrima VRA. Before I could call Berrima one of our S & R committee rang and brought me up to date. They were keen to have our experience in co-ordination as well as many experienced bushwalker searchers. When I did call Berrima they had a report of a possible sighting of the missing group. They promised to call back as soon as they could confirm the report; maybe 15 minutes. In less than 5 minutes the callout was off. Another one for the records.
What is Bushwalker Wilderness Rescue?
This short article aims to give a quick sketch of what Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue (BWR) is about and hopefully enthuse you to be part of your Clubs callout list. Very often members of Confederation talk about S & R in a way that implies we "all know" what it is yet rarely is it explained to new bushwalkers.
BWR is the search and rescue section (S & R) of the Confederation. Thus it is not me or anyone else on our organising committee. The committees role is to bring bushwalkers together, when required, to provide a unique rescue resource to the people of NSW. We are NSW State Rescue Board accredited as a specialist squad in bush rescue. No other volunteer squad in NSW has this status. BWR was established after a major search in the Grose Valley in October, 1938 where bushwalkers assisted but in an informal way. Although there has always been an element of self rescue for fellow bushwalkers BWR could never exist on such a selfish principle. By being willing to help the public we present a positive image of bushwalkers and their club organisation (the Confederation).
A recent example of great publicity was the disappearance of a small aircraft in appalling weather. Extensive aerial searching failed to find any trace of it or its young pilot and passenger. Such disappearances are traumatic for the immediate family as often their relatives are only found by accident years later in a highly decomposed state. So many questions remain unanswered; was death quick or did they suffer? Did one or both survive but were lost with no idea of where civilisation is. Did they freeze to death? There still are missing aircraft in NSW. Image their relief when an observant bushwalker (Brian Walker of CMW) looked across a valley behind Kanangra Walls and saw the plane. It had flown into the top of a ridge in such a way that there was no visible gap from above. Relief turned to anguish when no human remains were found at the accident site. BWR was able with other rescue services to locate the bodies in this truly rugged terrain. This was a major news item twice since the coroner had to do a report.
How is Bushwalker Wilderness Rescue Organised?
Essentially it is bushwalkers with radios. Our HF radio network is simple to use but very effective in transmitting out of deep / narrow valleys. Mobile phones and other short wave radio networks cannot do this. When called upon you need to come fully equipped for a bushwalk in remote terrain. Food, map, parka - the lot! A radio will be issued to each search team. Before you leave home you will get minimal details of the location and time of the meeting place. You are not expected to be Superman (Superperson?) in volleys. While Police are in overall control you will be co-ordinated by bushwalkers from our S & R Committee.
The BWR Director is elected each year at the Confederation AGM and reports monthly to the executive meetings. The S & R Committee maintains our rescue trailer and radio network as well as the callout register. Each Confederation Club has three telephone contact persons. There will be a home and work phone number so we can always locate one contact person who then becomes the S & R co-ordinator for their club. Their role is simply to arrange for the number of bushwalkers requested, usually one or two car loads. For ease of organisation, where possible, bushwalkers are kept together in their club groups as search teams. In fact we usually ask you who is going to be your group leader.
For cliff rescue BWR has a "Rock Squad" who are all trained to the ALVRI Standard. These specialist groups were all experienced bushwalkers and canyoneers before they commenced the ALVRI training. The ALVRI training means they can work with other rescue groups in a common procedure for the safe set-up of abseils, prussiks (i.e. going up instead of down) and lifting and lowering of stretchers. They regularly train with other ALVRI groups.
Training.
BWR really needs you to come and practise the additional skills required to be more than just a bushwalker. Your bushwalking skills make you a valuable asset. There are many well meaning professional and volunteer rescuers who have neither the same fitness or ability to move through rugged terrain as an "average" bushwalker. Did I tell you about the grandmother in my club? On a major search around Claustral Canyon the Policeman assigned to one club team
said, "I don’t want any old woman to slow us up". The leader defended her and of course she easily kept up but, not so for the Policeman. There are three training weekends each year. Two general weekends and the Rogaine. This is where we get to know you on a personal basis and not just as a name on a list.
The general weekends cover search organisation and practice searches, radios, wilderness self rescue, observation and tracking, helicopter winching etc.
Anyone who can’t navigate to me is just an incomplete bushwalker - a follower. There are some bush areas where navigation is a challenge to even the most experienced. However there are many areas where some basic knowledge is all you need to dramatically improve your bushwalking pleasure. The Rogaine is set up to help the beginner have good practice with many easy checkpoints. Experienced bushwalkers have an excellent chance to hone their skills. Successfully navigating to a marker is a great confidence boost. To put together a route to link many markers is a great mental challenge. BWR is also aiming to publicise itself among the other invited rescue services. To date BWR has maintained an enviable record. The overall standard is high and the range of scores between the best and worst bushwalker teams is smaller than for any other group. This is clear proof to me that bushwalkers have special skills.
In an emergency phone (from anywhere in NSW) 016020 and ask for the operator to send your (short) message to Pager No. 277321. Don’t forget to include your phone number and STD code. Remember you are not sending your life story but merely asking BWR to ring you back. While waiting for our phone call back to you start thinking about how many walkers may be available from your club to assist.
The pager network is always monitored and a return phone call should come quickly.
For further information on BWR, training weekends, First Aid courses etc. phone
Director Keith Maxwell (02) 9622 0049
Secretary John Tonitto (02) 9541 2654
Search and Rescue Training 28th-29th March
Location - CATARACT SCOUT PARK
An extensive program is being planned for this weekend. The training will be at two levels representing two major themes - wilderness self rescue and rescue operator.
Wilderness Self Rescue
This program will emphasise self reliance in good pre planning through to resolving trip emergencies. Planned topics include GPS, improvised evacuation techniques for minor injuries, leadership, simple knots, and survival skills. This will suit beginners as well as those who expect to be available for searches.
Rescue Operator
This more intensive training will include many challenging sessions. Group problem solving, helicopter winching, roping skills, deduction and observation, remote area first aid, rescue organisation and etc. These activities will be aimed at those more experienced walkers who wish to be part of our first call group. Future Rock Squad members would be drawn from this group.
Please advertise this interesting weekend in your club walks program for March ’98. More details will be send closer to the event.
For more information contact - Keith Maxwell 9622 0049 (h) John Tonitto 9541 2654 (h)