The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is offering advice to outback travellers who make up a quarter of the people it rescues each year.
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It is urging travellers to “plan their journey properly and exercise caution”.
A recent RFDS report, called Responding to injuries in remote and rural Australia, revealed that up to a quarter of its emergency medical evacuations each year were of “city travellers on their outback adventures”.
A senior flight nurse with the Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern Section (RFDS SE), with bases in Dubbo and Broken Hill, has offered an explanation.
“Road accidents are one of the main reasons for an emergency evacuation,” said Karen Barlow.
“It is a sobering fact that half of the 1200 to 1300 road deaths that occur each year in Australia occur in remote and rural areas, despite the fact that two-thirds of Australians live in cities."
Ms Barlow said travelling in the outback presented “different conditions and challenges”.
“Distances are much greater and temperatures can get much higher,” she said.
“These factors can result in fatigue, often cited as a common factor in many road accidents.
“Roads are less busy and speed can also be a factor, as can road surface quality and animals straying onto them during the hours of darkness.”
The RFDS reports that preparation and planning is essential before “you set off, especially if you are not used to outback conditions”.
Below are some of the outback travel tips on the RFDS website.
- Get good quality maps and plan your route.
- Don't travel in the hottest part of the year.
- Be careful of how much you pack on your roof rack as a heavy load on top increases the chances of a rollover.
- Store water in small containers instead of one large tank and check all water containers for leaks. In very hot conditions aim to carry 10 litres of water per person per day and don't rely on waterholes, dams, bores, mills, tanks or troughs for water.
- Get a summary of your medical history and bring all medication and repeat scripts with you.
- Take a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- In an emergency dial triple zero and be prepared to give your location. If you own a smartphone download the 'Emergency +' app which will indicate your longitude and latitude and assist emergency services, including the RFDS, to find you. If you don't have a smartphone, keep an eye on the crossroads as you travel and mark your journey on a map. Be aware that some very remote areas have no mobile coverage so make a satellite phone part of your travel pack.
The RFDS SE also recommends that people travelling to remote areas complete a first aid course and carry a kit with them.
Advice for people without medical training on how to manage first aid situations, including a heart attack, snake bite, choking, burns and severe bleeding is contained in the Fast First Aid booklet from the RFDS.
Approved by RFDS health professionals, Fast First Aid is free and available in NSW and the ACT. To receive a copy text NOW to 0428 044 444. Delivery may be slightly delayed over the holiday period.
Ms Barlow is a fan of the booklet.
“It is an invaluable resource for those living or travelling in remote areas where medical assistance may take some time to reach you,” she said.
In the past year, the RFDS SE helped more than 49,100 patients including transporting almost 8200 of them.