Tips for the
bush traveller
1.
Where possible fit two heavy duty
batteries for long bush trips to run the
winch and Engel fridge/freezer.
2.
Secure a solar panel to the top of the
vehicle or roof rack. Connect so the
batteries are always charged, even when
the vehicle is stationary for several days.
3.
An inverter converts 12 volts to 240
volts to run a drill or small appliance (even
a small TV to watch the footy finals).
4.
Do not secure your Hi-Lift Kangaroo
Jack to the vehicle where moving parts get
covered with dust, insects and mud. When
needed in an emergency it may not work.
Keep covered with a canvas and before use
spray with WD40 or a similar product.
5.
If stuck in the mangroves and the
sandflies are bad, rub a thick layer of mud
over exposed parts of the body. Many
people have a severe reaction to sandfly
bites.
6.
Do not purchase “survival books” to
carry and assume that all the tips will work.
Some don’t. Practice your survival
techniques before leaving hone. E.g. a
plastic bag over a branch will not provide
enough water to survive. At least 10 heavy
duty large plastic bags must be used to
survive in hot weather. Rubbing sticks
together is difficult and can be frustrating.
7.
To start a fire use the lens out of a
camera or binoculars to concentrate the
suns rays onto fine grass or bark.
Kangaroo dung is best. When tinder is
smoldering, tip into dry grass pick up and
blow or wave gently until it ignites.
8.
A car battery can be used to start a fire,
but only if you know what you are doing
and it is an emergency. Use only a cold
battery. A hot battery straight from the car
could have a build up of hydrogen and
might explode causing serious injury and
damage. Remove the battery to a clear
patch of ground well clear of the vehicle.
Attach a long piece of wire to each of the
terminals. Place a rag soaked in petrol on
the ground well clear of the battery and
touch the wires together to create a spark.
The petrol will ignite. If the petrol is not
available place the ends 2 centimetres
apart in steel wool. It will quickly glow and
ignite.
9.
Carry a selection of fly wire and when
driving off road slide the sheets of fly wire
in front of the radiator to stop seeds, insects
and rubbish clogging the screen. Clean
frequently. Inspect underneath the gearbox.
On a hot day these can ignite.
10.
Don’t overload the vehicle for long
trips. Pack and re-pack and discard
anything not essential or useful.
11.
Before Leaving, practice using the
winch and understand how to use snatch
blocks and snatch ropes to gain advantage
when retrieving a bogged vehicle. Consult
your off-road dealer for advice.
12.
On a hot day in the outback each
person needs up to 10 litres of water to
survive. Carry a number of smaller
container not one big one. If one container
splits or spills, there is still ample water left
in the other containers.
Have fun and safe travelling
Broome WA
©
2006
DVD survival Films can be purchased from
www.malcolmdouglas.com
MALCOLM’S
BUSH TIPS
28
