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Canyoning death in Blue Mountains


nmonteith

18-Jan-2010
9:46:49 AM

On 18/01/2010 dimpet wrote:
>So at roughly $500 each are we all expected to go and buy one before we
>go on a day hike?

You can borrow them (for free) from the authorities in the Bluies.

The free EPIRBs are available at either the National Parks and Wildlife centre at Blackheath, during office hours or the 24-hour police stations at Springwood and Katoomba, after hours.

No excuse now!


evanbb

18-Jan-2010
10:23:55 AM

We hired an EPIRB in Tassie for virtually nothing, something like $50 for 10 days, from Parks Tassie. It was a good thing to have, but being on the Overland there was no shortage of sat phones and smoke signals.

juanes

18-Jan-2010
10:51:50 AM

The cost of owning an EPIRP is prohibitive. However as other have pointed out these are available to borrow or hire from PARKS or police. Also most clubs which take part in activities like hiking, climbing and the like; will have some to hire to their members.

Should every one carry a beacon? Well I recon that's up to the individual to decide how best to manage their risk. In my opinion a beacon is most likely to save a life before things really take a turn for the worst. Regrettably this is not always an option. Once a member of the party needs hospitalization, a beacon will most likely only ensure that the rest of the party will receive rescue; before they to get into trouble them selves.

Disclaimer: I use a helmet, and carry a phone. I have only ever carried an EPIRP when going on hikes that put me days away from the nearest road (like the Western Arthurs).

devlin66

18-Jan-2010
11:15:47 AM

On 18/01/2010 juanes wrote:
>The cost of owning an EPIRP is prohibitive.
Like wearing a helmet though, how much of a price does one put on one slife when exposed to out of the way experiences

>In my opinion a beacon is most
>likely to save a life before things really take a turn for the worst. Regrettably
>this is not always an option. Once a member of the party needs hospitalization,
>a beacon will most likely only ensure that the rest of the party will receive
>rescue; before they to get into trouble them selves.

When someone needs hospitalisation, then an EPIRB is the best way of getting that care before that person suffers more or dies. It will never stop some one falling down and getting hurt. That's not there intended purpose. Theoretically you could use the EPIRB to get the person extracted and carry on with your adventure as you didn't need rescuing in the first place..

Wollemi

18-Jan-2010
11:32:23 AM

On 18/01/2010 nmonteith wrote:
>On 18/01/2010 dimpet wrote:
>>So at roughly $500 each are we all expected to go and buy one before
>we
>>go on a day hike?
>
>You can borrow them (for free) from the authorities in the Bluies.
>
>The free EPIRBs are available at either the National Parks and Wildlife
>centre at Blackheath, during office hours or the 24-hour police stations
>at Springwood and Katoomba, after hours.
>
>No excuse now!

I reckon many from Sydney would want to whiz up Bells Line of Road to the Mt Wilson
canyons, and find it a PITA to go up the GWH with its slower speed zones and many
traffic lights, so as to drop by Springwood or Katoomba police stations.
FWIW, Springwood cop shop is adjacent to the GWH, and is accessed via Ferguson
Rd, which is the first set of lights after one drives under the Hawkesbury Rd overpass.
This compares to Katoomba police station, located about 1.5km S of the railway and
GWH, but in a less busy portion of Katoomba St.
If you pick up an EPIRB from NPWS during office hours, then go off to do a canyon, it is
likely you are starting the day far too late.


nmonteith

18-Jan-2010
11:44:41 AM

On 18/01/2010 Wollemi wrote:
>I reckon many from Sydney would want to whiz up Bells Line of Road to
>the Mt Wilson
>canyons, and find it a PITA to go up the GWH with its slower speed zones
>and many
>traffic lights, so as to drop by Springwood or Katoomba police stations.

Well the hundreds of search and rescue personal would also be inconvenienced if they had to try and find you and didn't know where you were... :-)


gordoste

18-Jan-2010
1:12:12 PM

I did have a post written about EPIRBs etc but after reading Richard's post about the accident I discarded it.

Let's wait until the actual events are confirmed and a little more time has passed before discussing what might or might not prevent a similar occurrence. Keep in mind that this is a public forum and speculation can be hurtful despite the best of intentions.


climbau

18-Jan-2010
1:24:12 PM

http://www.findmespot.com/australianewzealand/coverage.php

Check this out for great features. I know a paddling company in Tassie that uses it to track the groups
from their base in Hobart.

juanes

18-Jan-2010
1:58:23 PM

This alone is worth the subscription:

"GEOS Search & Rescue Benefit
$12.95 USD for first year. (if purchased at initial activation. $150.00 USD afterwards)
Provides up to $100,000 USD of additional search and rescue resources, including helicopter extraction around the world and reimbursement benefits - underwritten by Lloyd's of London - for any emergency service expenses incurred. For more information, including terms and conditions, visit http://www.geosalliance.com/sar "

AndyRicho

18-Jan-2010
4:49:28 PM

I reckon the price you pay for an EPIRB is bugger all really! $500-$700 over say 5 years, work that out at cost per week and thats a pretty cheap insurance policy if god forbid you ever need to use it.

another dave

18-Jan-2010
4:55:41 PM

>The free EPIRBs are available at either the National Parks and Wildlife
>centre at Blackheath, during office hours or the 24-hour police stations
>at Springwood and Katoomba, after hours.

How about Richmond police station?


nmonteith

18-Jan-2010
5:00:34 PM

I'm interested to know why they cost that amount. They don't seem particularity complex devices, just a whopping great transmitter. Are they massively cheaper overseas?

climberman

18-Jan-2010
5:04:36 PM

A bit cheaper. I think a fair bit of it might be costing and compliance ?

Wollemi

18-Jan-2010
5:05:55 PM

Return on investment in R+D?, as well as some kind of user fee for the 4 dedicated
satellites?

Richmond police station is p/t. Windsor is probably 24/7, and not too far off the driving
route to Bells Line of Road.

Benbro John

18-Feb-2010
12:15:36 AM

We are working on a scheme to get them into Windsor, Lithgow and Oberon Police stations to make it even easier for canyoners. We just need to raise more funds for about another 30 PLBs.

There are 55 messages in this topic.