My First PLB Activation: For Someone Else

0 lives saved

Challenging Terrain

Hiking

Tundra

Weather

What happened?

The Western Arthurs is an epic 7-day hike in the remote South West of Tasmania. I had some time off work between Xmas and New Year so I took the opportunity to traverse the range. However a strong southerly front came through on the 2nd day as I was hiking up the Alpha Moraine ridge. The rain was driving horizontally, and I got cold and wet. When I finally got to camp, I realised my phone had got wet too, despite my gortex raincoat. The next morning, the rain clouds closed in, so I decided to turn back, rather than risk continuing the circuit. My phone was my time keeper, emergency contact, and camera. Those three things were paramount to an enjoyable and safe hike.

Coming back down the ridge, I came across a bush walkers campsite, hiding behind a rock. A saturated sleeping bag and clothes lay scattered. The hiker had a tarp for a tent, which wasn’t even set up. I called out but there was no answer. I decided to continue as the rain was still pelting down.

A few meters further down the track, a man’s body was lying face down, his arms outstretched. His hands and barefeet were white and he had hardly any clothes on. I turned his stiffened body over, and felt for a pulse, a heart beat, anything to persuade me he wasn’t dead. I called to him and leant down near his reddened and bloodied face to check for a breath or response. Nothing. Considering his lack of clothes, and wet gear, I assumed he had hypothermia, got confused and then fell, knocking himself out.

As I had found the poor man, I felt responsible to get him home. I pulled out my PLB, and found a flat rock to set it up. It seemed ironic that my first time to use this device was not for my own survival, but for another hiker who didn’t take the initiative soon enough.

In the meantime, I just had to wait. I found a spot out of the wind and rain, and boiled the billy for some soup. I wasn’t sure how long the rescue team was going to take, so I wanted to settle in and stay warm. I thought that I could have to wait all day, so I set up my tent and sleeping bag.

An hour and a half later, just as the clouds lifted, the beating of the helicopter blades graced my ears. The Calvary were almost here. The bright yellow and red helicopter hovered with one standing skid perched over a rock whilst two men climbed down with their packs. It was amazing to watch the skill of the pilot hold it almost still. The chopper then flew down to the valley below to wait.

The men introduced themselves as paramedics and proceeded to question me about the man, and the situation in which I found him. They said they recieved the signal from my PLB an hour and a half ago at 11.30am. Staff immediately contacted my ‘next of kin’; my wife. I was shocked. Would she think I was in trouble? I quickly asked them to contact her and let her know I was alright. They said they would pass on the details. They said it was normal procedure to ask the next of kin about the person’s hiking intentions, what hiking gear they had, and their experience. I felt reassured.

The paramedics also did a search of the deceased campsite, looking for clues. However, because he died alone, they required the advice of the police and a coroner. I was hoping for a ride back to my vehicle, but they couldn’t predict when they were leaving. Thankful I wasn’t the one heading home in a body bag, I decided to make the 5 hour journey back to the car park, and then home.

I finally got home at midnight, after another interview with police. But at least I was alive, and glad I was able to help someone else, because I had a trustworthy PLB. Thank you Ocean Signal.

Words of wisdom

Weather conditions in the mountains of Tasmania can be treaturous at any time of year. The chill factor of the wind can be below zero. Visiting hikers should be prepared for the worst conditions possible, and ensure they take adequate gear to stay dry and warm.

Thank you note to the Ocean Signal team

Hiking solo has its risks, but I am happy to say my RescueMe PLB1 by Ocean Signal is very reliable. It is lightweight and easy to use. I gladly recommend this device.