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Australia is a very safe place to travel in. The chance
of being exposed to a crime is very small in Outback Australia.
Both black and white Australians are mostly extremely friendly
to you, even if you now and then come across some rough
guys. However, the harsh outback environment is not something
that should be taken lightly. Respect it, but don't be terrified.
The first question you get when you talk to people about
traveling in outback Australia is: "What about the
snakes?". Well there are some very poisonous snakes
in Australia, but they are a minor problem compared with
other dangers. My danger list would read:
- Yourself
- Your vehicle
- Drunk drivers
- Road conditions
- Big stupid animals on the road
- Crocodiles
- Pigs
- Others nuisances like snakes
YOURSELF - THE GREATEST DANGER
Every time you hear about a serious incident in the outback,
it's mostly someone who has been inexperienced or acted extremely
stupid.
DEATH WISH?
I came across two Pommie sheilas in Urandangi who where
about to travel on the Plenty "Highway" to Alice Springs
in an old Ford Falcon. Traveling in conventional vehicles
on rough outback roads is not recommended. Secondly if it's
an old bomb, it's even more stupid. The girls where stuck
in Urandangi because they had hit a rock and something had
started leaking under the car. I asked them if they carried
spare water, and they replied that yes, they had 12 liters.
This was supposed to be enough for a couple of days travel
and for the car as well. I gave them my spare 25 liter water
tank and made them promise to fill it with water. In case
they got stuck again, that should have kept them alive for
2-3 days. I asked them what maps they used and they replied
that they didn't have a map, but a road description where
they could find fuel along the road.
What's a breeze in a Toyota Landcruiser in good
condition, with good maps, lots of extra fuel, food and
water, can be sheer hell for another ill equipped party.
LIFELINE
Use a lifeline. Phone someone that cares about you, tell
them where you are, where you are going and when you are
supposed to phone again. If you intend to be back at the
Sunday, tell them to hold their horses until the Tuesday
before a rescue operation is started. Always phone back.
Rescue operations are expensive.
Try to make a positive impression on people
that you meet, e.g. at remote stations and roadhouses. If
you're in a strife, it's more likely that they'll help the
nice fella rather than the arrogant German tourist or overbearing
Pom that told them that Australia was a shit country.
WATER
To bring enough water can't be stressed enough. You can
survive for some weeks without food, but only a day or two
without water. A death from thirst is probably one of the
most gruesome ways of meeting your maker. Calculate around
5 litres of water per person and day. Carry spare water
for some extra days in case you get stuck. Familiarise yourself
with emergency water producing techniques like putting a
plastic sack over a branch of a tree or a bush.
FOOD
Carry extra food for a week. I used tins. Boring but safe.
Don't touch the emergency food unless you're in a real
emergency.
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