Bushwalking Equipment

1
Bushwalking Equipment

• General Rule - As light as possible
• Pack only essential items
• Work together as group to share equipment
• Pack from an equipment list
• Lay all equipment out first and group together
• Small packages fit in pack better

2
Ruck Sacks

• Internal Frame.
• Adjustable harness system to cater for different
  heights.
• When purchasing have weight placed in pack
  approx. 20kg
• Hip belt well padded.
• Wider the shoulder straps the better. All of
  shoulder strap should make contact with shoulder.
• Top loading versus compartment - Individual
  preference
• Sizes measured by volume e.g.. 75 litre

3
Footwear

• Boots vs Sandshoes
• Boots stronger Sandshoes lighter
• ankle support more comfort
• good traction bruising of feet
• blisters less traction
• Sole pattern - open less prone to clogging. Rear
  heel - curved to roll foot not jar. Firm so foot
  does not twist.
• Less stitching the better. Leather upper better
  but can buy some excellent synthetic material
  boots.
• Light weight much better.
• Socks - with good boots only need one pair. If
  wearing two pairs inner - woolen, outer - nylon.
  Be sure socks do not bunch up.

4
Shelter

• Tent , Fly Sheet or Bivi Bag.
• In South Australia in many cases may not need to
  carry a tent as fly sheet may be sufficient
  shelter.
• Tents
• Factors in choosing Intended use and cost.
• A light weight tent can be used for both base
  camping and hiking where as a large tent can be
  used only for car touring.
• Care of tents
• - dry out thoroughly at end of trip
• - should be warm to touch before put away
• - do not store in compact bag - fold loosely and
  store
• - keep clean

5
Tents - What to look for

• Water proof and condensation proof - double skin
• Strong durable construction
• Stable
• Easy to pitch - always pitch 45 to wind
• Light weight and compact if intended for
  bushwalking, canoeing etc..
• Insect door and water proof outer
• Flow through ventilation
• Tub floor
• Tunnel and dome most popular these days

6
Sleeping Bags

• Insulation that preserves heat to keep warm
• Main factor which leads to comfort and in
  extremes survival
• Materials - rip stop nylon covering
• - filling - down or synthetic
  (dacron, hollofil)
• Construction - box wall recommended method of
  construction as sewn through lets heat escape
• Selection - box wall
• - full length zip - can open and close
  depending on
• conditions
• - draught flap
• - draw cord in hood

7
Sleeping Bags - Cont.

• Advantages Disadvantages
• Down Lighter Ineffective if wet
• Less bulk Allergenic for some
• Very long life Slow drying
• Very effective Expensive
• Synthetic Warm if wet Heavier
• Not allergenic Bulkier when packed
• Dries quickly Less efficient
• Cheaper Restricted life

8
Sleeping Bag Care

• Store loosely not in bag as this does not crush
  the fill
• If stored tightly in bag will half the life
  expectancy of the bag. Many good quality bags
  come with separate expandable storage bags when
  you purchase them.
• Use an inner sheet as protects the inside of the
  bag. Also more warmth in very cold conditions.
• Washing - In bath tub - use special washing
  detergent. Squeeze out as much water as possible
  and lay out flat to dry. Do not hang on a clothes
  line. When dry fluff up in clothes dryer on cool
  setting.
• Synthetic - can machine wash.

9
Sleeping Mats

• A great amount of heat is lost to the ground,
  much more than the surrounding air. Therefore
  sleeping mats are not only necessary for padding
  but more importantly insulation from the ground.
• Closed cell foam - will not absorb water
• - good insulator
• - not exactly comfortable but light and
• inexpensive
• Thermarest - self inflate, good insulator
• - as comfortable as air mattress
• - expensive and puncture easily
• Air mattress - usually heavy, do not insulate but
  comfortable

10
Wet Weather Jackets

• Things to look for
• - design and length (mid thigh)
• - hood design - vision, hat under etc.
• - pockets - position and size
• - And arm length (pack pulls up)
• PVC coated nylon - condensation a problem
• Dry Jappara - excellent jacket - good value for
  money
• Gore-Tex
• - gore-tex membrane has 9 billion pores per
  square inch
• - breathes therefore no condensation
• - expensive but very long lasting in looked
  after

11
Clothing

• Long sleeved collared shirts protect against sun
  and bushes
• Sunglasses important - protect eyes
• Thermals much better as light weight, less bulky
  and warm when wet. Also quick to dry. Woolen best
  if have no thermals.
• Track pants not jeans - jeans cold and rub when
  wet.
• Beanie for evening and shade hat during day.
• Shorts better for walking in even in wet weather
  as legs dry quickly.
• Use layering principal rather than one or two
  thick layers.
• Do not over pack.
• One pair spare shoes for around camp at night.

12
Cooking

• Billy - can make your own
• Fuel Stoves - trangia most common and safe
• Wire cake airer as grill for fire
• Crockery
• - deep plate
• - insulated cup
• - separate knife, fork
• and spoon
• - wooden spoon

13
Accessories

• Water - 1 liter personal container plus bladders
  better as reduce in size. Cover bladder to
  prevent punctures. Ensure leak proof lids.
• Torches - light weight. during hike reverse
  battery to ensure can not be turned on.
• Whistle - Safety - compulsory. More efficient for
  signalling.
• Pocket Knife - Swiss army style fine. Not sheath
  knifes.
• Small Hand Spade - one between four plenty, steel
  blade better as plastic ineffective in hard
  ground.
• Day Pack - day excursions from campsite.
• Gaiters - protect lower legs, keep material out
  of boots and socks.

14
Bushwalkers - Minimum Kit

• Assuming each member of a party is dressed
  appropriately each should carry
• water - 1 litre
• whistle - preferably on cord around neck
• energy food - scroggin, chocolate etc.
• spare woolen jumper or polar jacket
• water proof jacket
• water proof matches
• personal first aid kit
• 6m venetian blind cord
• Group should have between them
• Map, Compass, Torch, Emergency Shelter and Group
  First Aid Kit.

15
Group Management

• Briefing of participants - know where going,
  emergency procedures, regular updates.
• Party movement - appoint front and rear walkers -
  group to
• stay between these
• - keep contact of total group at all times
• - pace - comfortable for everyone
• Rest Stops - regular, helps maintain contact
• - rest time starts when last person to rest
  place
• Fatigue - monitor group members, may need to
  modify route

16
Lost

• Let some know before you go. A trip intentions
  form could save your life.
• If lost
• Maintain yourself and condition - Do Not Panic
• Stop - go over map - usually can see where went
  wrong
• Get to elevated ground - can interpret map better
• If on track stay on track, searches usually
  concentrate on tracks
• Totally lost make camp - in clearing better for
  aerial search
• Smoky fire by day and flaming at night, whistle
  blasts (3), flashes of mirror, bright clothing
  spread on ground etc.
• Rescuers will only search at night if known lost
  has medical condition or suspected abduction
• If intend to move leave clear signals of your
  intentions

17
Party Separated

• Individual
• important knows procedure
• As soon as realise separated STOP- whistle blasts
  immediately
• If absolutely sure of location back track
• If unsure - sit and wait
• Party
• Stop as soon as realise separated - whistle
  blasts and listen for response
• Check map - try to work out what may have caused
  separation
• Organise fast reconnaissance party, rest of party
  sit and rest
• If cant locate - extend search and contact
  nearest authority
• Keep Warm, Keep Dry, Survive on Minimum Kit

18
Accident Management

• Accidents are usually blamed on the lack of
  fitness, incorrect equipment etc. but accidents
  can happen to anyone.
• 1. Ensure all of the party is safe and away from
  further possible harm- assign duties to the
  group.
• 2. Get gear together which will be needed for
  first aid
• 3. Get to injured person via the quickest and
  safest route
• 4. Once first aid is given shelter the injured,
  may need to move person
• 5. Decide whether can continue route or evacuate
  injured
• 6. If person is to continue the lighten load and
  distribute among the group. Decide for the
  injured what is best.
• 7. If cant make it out then send for help, make
  casualty as comfortable as possible and be
  prepared to wait.
• 8. Accidents dont always happen in most
  comfortable location therefore you may need to
  move to a more suitable location - consider
  helicopter rescue in location selection
• 9. Monitor the injured regularly putting in
  writing any changes

19
Sending for Help

• Send two of the fittest and best navigators with
  all information needed by rescuers.
• Message should be in writing and should include
  the following
• time of accident
• patients exact position on map
• type of accident and injuries
• type of help needed
• what you intend to do
• patients full name and address
• condition of the rest of the group
• Add anything else you think may be useful and
  wait calmly till help arrives.

20
Food Options

• Main requirements
• light weight
• space saving
• easy to prepare
• high in energy
• preserves well
• contains essential nutrients

21
Menu Planning

• Minimum cooking time better as also minimises the
  fuel used and further reduces weight.
• Type of cooking - fire, fuel stove.
• Try to limit meals to one dish meals therefore
  reducing the equipment necessary.
• Pack just what you need then fill between meals
  with scroggin.
• Cup of soup while preparing meal.
• Eat to maintain energy only. Do not over eat.
• Emergency ration.
• Experiment at home first.
• Plan meals as a group to minimise equipment and
  packaging
• Try to limit packaging

22
Heat Exhaustion

• Increase in core body temperature - if untreated
  can lead to death.
• Heat Exhaustion - weak and tired
• - lose of coordination
• - nausea
• - headache
• - increased sweating
• If not treated can lead to heat stroke - medical
  emergency.
• Stop and rest in shade lying down with legs
  raised as soon as symptoms appear
• Encourage victim to have frequent drinks of water
• Dampen and fan the victim.
• Recovery usually quiet rapid - but ensure
  complete recovery before proceeding.

23
Heat Stroke

• When body core temperature continues to rise and
  body now stops sweating to try to prevent
  dehydration.
• Medical emergency.
• Remove unnecessary clothing
• Cool victim immediately - sponge and fan
• Massage arms and legs to promote circulation to
  the periphery
• Plenty of fluids if conscious
• Lie patient down with head raised slightly to try
  to keep warm blood from brain as much as possible.

24
Hypothermia

• Lowering of core body temperature.
• Signs and Symptoms
• - slow pace, lagging behind
• - uncontrolled shivering
• - poor coordination
• - slurred speech
• - irrational
• - slow pulse and breathing

25
Hypothermia - Treatment

• stop and shelter immediately out of wind
• warm using body heat before removing wet
  clothing, may even need to climb in sleeping bag
  with victim
• warm sweet drinks and some food if conscious
• no alcohol
• no rubbing or rapid reheating
• Prevention
• appropriate clothing important - be aware of wind
  chill factor
• good diet
• keeping fit
• do not over do it - exhaustion leads to
  hypothermia

26
Bushfires

• Major danger - radiant heat.
• Use common sense and do not walk in high risk
  conditions
• Do not cause bush fire your self.
• Survival
• Shield yourself from radiant heat - cover all
  exposed skin
• Assess position - Do not enter flames higher than
  1.5m and deeper than 5 to 10m.
• Do not delay but do not run - leave non essential
  gear.
• Keep water intake up
• Take refuge - low ground, hollows, behind rocks,
  buildings etc.
• Stay well clear of rain water tanks
• Limit breathing due to smoke - stay close to
  ground

27
Lightening

• Lightening will take shortest possible route to
  discharge therefore high places should be
  avoided.
• Places to avoid - pinnacles, ridges, summits,
  vertical walls, isolated trees, prominent high
  points, over hangs and wet rocky walls.
• Shelter in hut if possible as acts as hollow
  conductor
• Tent - keep as low as possible and adjacent to
  high position within 45 degrees cone from top of
  feature
• No shelter - sit in open on top of your pack in a
  tucked position with no points of contact to the
  ground. Preferably half way down a slope.

28
River Crossings

• All rivers should be treated with respect.
• In planning your walk you should try to select a
  route which minimizes the crossing of major
  rivers and flooded creeks.
• Using sturdy branches and team work the best way
  to cross.