Lost in the outback

[Bakes]

There are many great places to go in Australia, some close to population centers and others more remote. For those people who travel to the remote areas their wellbeing depends on their vehicle, they rely on that vehicle carrying them into and back from their destinations. The water it carries and its supplies of food, bedding and shelter permit the traveller to these places to survive in the normally harsh conditions.
GPS can tell you where you are and which direction to go, a simple compass or even landmarks can assist in identifying your location……….
Laverton WA,
Lost prospectors have proven to be a persistent problem for Laverton Police, with more than 15 reported rescues over the past 18 months.
If you lose the vehicle for what ever reason you are in serious trouble, you are on your own with whatever you have with you.
Why are you separated from the vehicle? Well many are the reasons and each story is different. One guy found a gold nugget got excited and kept going until he was well and truly lost. Lost for 5 days nearly died.
Walking from camp just going to try the ridge, going for a short walk to check out a rock outcrop, all these reasons and more in a part of the world where all the trees look the same and often there’s no clear view to the horizon.
This is not the vehicle breaking down drama its just the people have left the vehicle to go wandering about and then cant find the way back to camp.

GPS batteries do go flat, clouds can hide the sun and rocks cannot keep footprints.
Check these sites for more details.
http://golddetecting.4umer.net/t7152-lost-out-bush
http://www.cairnsconnect.com/visitor/gettinglost.php
http://goaustralia.about.com/od/prac...cksurvival.htm

I am a gold prosector and I have lost the vehicle on occasions, once south of Maytown QLD on the Palmer and again couple of hundred kms NNE of Laverton WA. So take all precautions and be careful when you’re out there.

Lets hear your ideas on how to make it easier to find the way back to the car.( Other than a police helicopter).

I thought of a few.
Don’t go bush alone……then you could listen for a VB tinny being cracked at beer o clock!
If the horn could start tooting when it got dark.
Strobe light flashes when it gets dark
Dinner GONG (Smelling eggs and Bacon)

No serious guys...............have you got any ideas?

G'day stumpjumper, good to see someone finally asks the question before heading out and getting lost. Some good information in your thread from everyone, so I'll add my 2 cents as well. I'm fortunate, I have served with our fine defence force, and have gained alot of knowledge in survival, navigation, communications and the like over the last 19 years. My personal opinion is the six Ps. Prior preparation prevents p*ss poor performance. personally, you can't go past your paper map and compass. GPS should never be relied upon, and I've seen many navigate purely by GPS and not reach their objective. I personally only use my GPS as a secondary device. I always carry an EPIRB in my vehicle and PLB when I'm walking. Good cheap insurance I say. I don't care how long I'm away From my vehicle, I will always carry a small qty of food and water in my pack as well. This was sparked by an accident some time ago where we were away from our vehicle and prevented us from returning for some time. Little things such as leaving your details (as rossco has listed) to actually carrying the right map will get you home to your family. But alas I'm not from the stone age, and have tested quite alot of systems to serve my needs. The best I've seen and used is the Garmin astro320. You have to get them from the U.S but it works a treat. I have modified the dc-40 collar that comes with it and have tested it in jungle, desert and have always returned to the car. Hope this and everyone else's collective knowledge helps

Bakes