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SOUTHERN grey nomads heading to Queensland's outback in autumn
and winter have been urged to prepare for their adventures.
Queensland Ambulance Service said the state's western regions were a
popular destination for the nomads and other tourists but travellers
should take some simple steps to ensure their safety.
Superintendent Robbie Medlin, executive manager of the QAS Central West
Local Ambulance Service Network, based in Longreach, sees the outback
town's population start to swell each autumn.
"The cooler months are definitely the best time to see western Queensland,
but visitors need to remember that it can still be quite hot out here,
especially during autumn," he said.
“People can stay safe and get the most from their outback experience by
doing a few simple things like drinking lots of water, wearing light
clothing, a hat and plenty of sunscreen."
Mr Medlin said it was particularly important for travellers to prepare
properly before their trip to reduce the risk of a crash.
"Make sure your vehicle and caravan or camper-trailer are in good working
order, and never drive if you are fatigued or unwell.
"If you are travelling in an unfamiliar area or off the beaten track, plot
your route in advance, check road conditions and be aware of your
surroundings," he said.
"Take note of landmarks, stations and homesteads – if you have to call
Triple Zero (000) in an emergency, these can help paramedics get to you
faster.
"If you take prescription medicines, make sure you have adequate stocks on
hand as many remote townships don't have pharmacies.
"Hospitals and clinics carry limited stocks of regular medications but may
not have specialist medicines available."
Mr Medlin said travellers in remote areas should consider taking a
satellite phone, which could allow them to contact QAS and other emergency
services when there is no mobile phone coverage.
"Calling for an ambulance using a satellite phone is no different to
calling on a mobile or landline – you simply dial Triple Zero (000)," he
said.
"Some satellite phones can also display GPS coordinates, so familiarising
yourself with your model is essential.
"If you do find yourself in an emergency situation and don't have a
satellite phone, or it's not working, most stations and homesteads in the
region have landlines that can be used to call Triple Zero (000), so
that’s always another option."
A new smartphone app called Emergency+, which allows callers to verbally
give their location during an emergency call by providing coordinates
determined by their phone's GPS function, could also be a potential
lifesaver for grey nomads.
Developed by the Australia-wide Triple Zero Awareness Work Group, the
Emergency+ app is available free of charge for iOS and Android devices
through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Mr Medlin also stressed the importance of being able to provide first aid
care until emergency help arrived.
"You never know when an emergency will occur, but when one does having
first aid training and skills can help to save your life or the life of a
loved one," he said.
