Safety in the bush

General safety - 

Going out bush can be a little daunting to some people, especially if you are alone and new to the whole scene. I have been prospecting my whole life and still get quite anxious prospecting by myself. Over my life I have had a couple of hairy situations but nothing too insane, still I know that feeling a little uneasy is totally validated.

Now I am not saying that you have any reason to be scared in the bush, it really is a safe hobby and my anxieties will never stop me from enjoying our beautiful bushland but there are a few things you can do to ensure you are on the safe side. Its not common but every now and again you will hear of prospectors becoming lost in the bush, it is something that I am super aware of because it can happen quicker than you think, that is why it very important to stay vigilant when detecting, even the best prospectors can lose their bearings from time to time. 

First of all here are some golden rules I have been taught over my prospecting life - 

- "Never muster on a cloudy day" - Mr Colin Day a station owner in remote Western Australia taught me this. The sun in one of your greatest navigational tools, once that is taken away it makes it a lot easier to lose your bearings. When I am prospecting on cloudy days I am EXTRA vigilant about my surroundings. 

- Carry a GPS. I am an absolute shocker for prospecting with a GPS, my Dad and Mum never carried one once they leave the car so I never have. They were both gifted with amazing bushwoman/man skills so they never needed it which of course lead me to never carrying one. Honestly it is a bad habit and it is something that could save your life so I need to make more of effort to carry one. It is also very handy for marking gold finds, indicators and keeping track of patterns, another reason why I should be carrying one!

- If you do become lost or broken down, dont move! Stay with your car or where you are for the best chance at being found. Dad and Mum have always drilled this into me since I was a kid. When I was 12 my two younger cousins and I didnt listen to this. Our motor bike ran out of fuel and we decided to try and find our way home on foot, long story short we got lost for 5 hours and I shat myself thinking I would be lost in the bush for ever..... lesson learnt :)

- Dont listen to your doubt, when trying to find your way back to the car and doubt starts to creep in telling you to go in any different direction, dont listen, trust your intuition or if it is really bad stay put and wait for help. 

- When I am prospecting with some one else, we always have radios for safety. One thing my parents taught me is when you are in the bush detecting with you and a partner do not discuss gold finds over the radio. If anyone else is on channel in the area they will hear it and it can attract the wrong sort of attention. 

- Always notify family of when you are going, where you are going and when you are expected back. 

- If you are going to an area by yourself that you are unfamiliar with it is always a good idea to notify the local police station of the same information as the above. 

- A satellite phone and a personal locator beacon are great additions. 

- Always carry enough water and non perishable food (tinned food like baked beans is perfect) for an extra couple of days/weeks. 

- Spare tyres, fuel and any other back up equipment you may need should always be carried, especially on longer trips. 

- For non Aussies who are a little weary of snakes and spiders always avoid long grass, especially in summer, wear enclosed shoes, check your shoes before putting them on, close your sleeping equipment when you get up in the morning and try to sleep with it on. Snakes hate heavy vibrations so walk heavy footed if you do have to walk through a bushy area. Dont let them put you off though they are scared of humans and dont want to see you as much as you dont want to see them!

- As a precaution to wild dogs do not leave rubbish laying around camp, cover your bin and food supplies.

- Know your rights. Always try and be prepared about your legal rights in any area you are so if you are approached by someone who is trying to tell you that you aren't allowed some where you can swiftly put them in their place. Apps like Trilobite and Happy Prospector can help reassure you that you are in the correct spot, they both do not need internet signal. 

- As a general rule if you pull up to a prospecting spot and someone is already there, move on. The bush is big enough for everyone and its not polite to jump on someones spot.

- If you are uncomfortable at the thought of running into people out bush like I am I try and stay away from busy areas, easier done for me because I live in WA. I try and remind my self though that I am allowed to be there just as much as everyone else and I will use these sentences if I am being made to feel uncomfortable ( I have never had to use them in the bush but  I have had lots of practice backing myself and not letting people intimidate me in the workplace. Female working in a male dominated field things!) Obviously make sure you are actually where you’re allowed to be.
        - I do not need any help, thanks for stopping by.
        - I know I am allowed to be here, I have taken a photo of your number plate and will be reporting you to the mines department if you do not move on. 
        - I am allowed to be here if you have a problem please ring the mines department.
        - Could you please keep moving on, I have to get back to detecting, thank you! 

- As a young female in the bush I do worry what would happen if I was put in an uncomfortable position with some one who had bad intentions so if I am going out bush by myself I will try and stay in phone range and one of my family members will always know where I am and when I should be home. I dont say this to scare you and I know lots of female prospectors who love the bush and have never had an issue, I have never had an issue but I do have anxiety and this helps. 

- Keep your mouth shut, especially in small towns bragging about a patch before you have cleaned it out will always bite you on the bum! 

Here is a great article by the WA mines department chatting about safety in the bush! 
 

No matter how long you go for or how far you are away from a town or your familiarity with an area, the attention to safety should be the same. Unexpected events can happen to even the most experienced prospector or fossicker. It is how well prepared you are and how effectively you communicate that will determine the outcome.

Make sure you come home safely to your family and friends.

 

Before you leave:

• plan your prospecting trip according to your experience level

• let people know where you are going and how long you expect to be away

• have a reliable person to act as a contact at home

• leave behind a copy of maps for the area in which you intend to operate—mark the roads you are likely to use and possible camping and prospecting areas

• leave details of the vehicles and people involved in the prospecting or fossicking trip and telephone/satellite numbers

• consider having scheduled calls and agree on a back-up plan if the call is missed so it is clear when the alarm will be raised

• familiarise yourself with your chosen communication devices before leaving home.

 

Communication devices

Most people take for granted that we can pick up a mobile phone and get help. However telecommunication coverage outside of a regional centre or in remote areas is not a given.

The use of communication devices which are satellite-based is strongly encouraged as an addition to telecommunication devices. These devices can be purchased or hired.

 

Satellite phones

• These phones allow vital communication when required.

Personal locator beacons (PLBs)

• When activated, the device transmits a message via a satellite to the emergency services. The transmitted coordinates are used by rescuers to pinpoint the location of the person.

• These devices are small and inexpensive and can be purchased from most quality outdoor stores.
  They are designed to be carried by a person rather than stay in a vehicle and are ideal for use during prospecting and fossicking activities.

• Carrying a PLB has been recommended to prospectors by the Coroner after an inquest into the death of a prospector in 2014.

Personal satellite tracking systems

• These devices can send pre-prepared messages via a satellite-based provider.

• Locators can be tracked using the internet.

• Some devices have emergency alert functions but be aware these may have time delays attached.

 

 

PLBs should not be confused with global positioning systems (GPS) devices, which also use satellites to locate a position on the ground, but do not transmit location information to emergency services.

 

For more information on beacons, go to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

In the field

Being on foot away from the vehicle and the camp exposes the prospector to the effects of climate, terrain and how the land is being used. It is recommended that you:

• carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) and a communication device on you at all times

• carry adequate water and food for the trip (4 to 6 litres of water per person per day, more in hot or humid conditions)

• have a suitable first aid kit and the medications you need

• have an emergency kit (e.g. matches, whistle, mirror, thermal blanket)

• wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the conditions.

Be vigilant around old mining centres and workings and mindful of pastoral, farming, mining or exploration activities.

Keep up-to-date with conditions while in the field by contacting:

• Local Shire—road and weather updates; water and fuel sources

• Landowners—ground, road and track conditions; stock and vehicle movements; planned burn offs; mining and exploration activities such as haulage, ground surveys and drilling

• Police—road conditions, safety alerts.

 

Prospecting in Western Australia - 970 Kb

A reference guide providing visiting prospectors with a summary of their rights and obligations.

Prospecting in remote areas - pamphlet - 834 Kb

This pamphlet is a guide on planning your prospecting trip in Western Australia.

Travelling in remote locations - mine safety matters pamphlet - 838 Kb

This mine safety matters pamphlet contains information on the hazards and recommended safe work practices when travelling in remote locations.

 

Other resources 

DMIRS's Resources Safety Division is the regulator of safety legislation in Western Australia for the minerals, petroleum and dangerous goods sectors. Although prospectors and fossickers may not be subject to the safety legislation, some concepts are universal to all people who work in remote areas.

Although aimed at the mining industry, the following resources may be of interest as they cover the hazards of working or travelling in remote areas:

 

Old mine workings - pamphlet - 2 Mb

This pamphlet outlines the hazards of abandoned mine workings.

 

 

Guidance about working in remote areas 

 

Guidance about exploration hazards 

 

Guidance about travelling for work

 

Hope this helps!

 

Tyler x