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Canyoning death in Blue Mountains 15-Jan-2010 At 7:06:13 PM J Qui

Message

On 15/01/2010 patto wrote:
>On 15/01/2010 J Qui wrote:
>>Patto
>>I disagree with you, however perhaps I have misinterpreted your comment
>>about not having enough
>>time for beacons. All accidents that occur in remote areas, which as
>you
>>correctly say "can turn pear
>>shape pretty quickly", will undoubtedly benefit from a beacon. Recovery
>>times for emergency services
>>can take hours through to days - a locating beacon will most certainly
>>reduce this time frame of
>>location and recovery.
>>
>>If we consider the 'deteriorating patient' or a group of ill-equipped
>>hikers/canyoners who are cold, lost,
>>hungry with injuries, how can you rationalise against the possession
>and
>>use of a beacon? It takes one
>>person, only seconds to deploy a beacon - such a small distraction when
>>considering the potentially
>>long, anxious wait and frustrating management (or lack thereof if you
>>are not competent in remote
>>area/wilderness first aid) of the sick, injured, lost or whinging or
>all
>>of the above.
>>
>
>Of course beacons can be useful. Shit they could be 'potentially' usefull
>on a mountainbike ride in Lysterfield.
>
>Single day hikes into canyon country does not strike me as high on the
>lists of requiring beacons. Single pitch climbing at a less popular cliff
>at Mt Buffalo would be a similar risk type. Do you carry a EPIRB while
>climbing?
>
>My point about time is that like climbing the incidents happen quickly.
> The most important thing is to carry the correct equipment and have sufficient
>skill to extricate ones self. Self rescue is very important in canyoning.
>
>Personally I would aim to carry an EPIRB if I am more than a days walk
>from civilisation especially in alpine/snow environments.

One of the main principles of remote area first aid is to implement management plans when 'definitive
care' is greater than two hours away. Yes, only two hours away from hospital, not first aid. Considering
this, single day hikes into canyon country does, without question, fall into the "beacon essential"
category. Let's elaborate on this, at the three hour turn around mark (for a six
hour single day hike for example) someone loses their footing and compound fractures their tib/fib. Let
me tell you, without a beacon, quite simply, you're cactus for at least a six hour return. Let's see the
patient get out of this situation without either a) reasonable blood loss b) infection c) permanent nerve
impairment d) hours upon hours of torturous pain e) the accompanying first aiders tiring out f) the
accompanying first aiders running out of provisions...the list goes on.

Simple day hikes or single pitch climbs AND urgent/time critical accidents are not mutually exclusive.

Yes, I do carry a beacon on single pitch climbs when I am a reasonable time frame from definitive
care. My friends know this, and we work it in to our risk assessment when out and about. I have seen
the repercussions of ignorance or lackadaisical attitudes too many times. Remember, a simple knock
to the head that 'knocks someone out' for a short while can kill them within four to six hours. Tell me,
do you know how to manage this confidently knowing you still have to drag your best mate for another
four hours whilst unconscious?

Hikers, canyoners, climbers etc must be aware that being responsible means catering for the worst
case scenario, or the lowest common denominator of the group.

You are absolutely correct in saying that it is important to carry the correct equipment and have
sufficient skill to extricate oneself. You also say that self rescue is important to canyoning....bloody
oath it is. We gotta remember that having the correct equipment and skill does not exclude one, or
many, from accidents (such as those in the canyoning accident). By definition of the term, accidents
can right royally ruin anyone's day, even those with all the gear and experience. Also remember that
part of self rescue is the ability to notify people (emergency services) of emergencies!....a beacon will
do that.

Your choice to carry a beacon when more than a day's walk from civilisation, especially in alpine or
snow environments is your choice. Personally, I recommend that people adhere to a tighter rule.

Lastly, and I mean this with no disrespect, perhaps statements regarding safety, and when to and
when NOT to carry something that can and will save lives, should be left to those with the bona fides
and credentials to back up their recommendation.

The culture behind those comments are what causes accidents, or makes them worse.

Jase
Ps. I have amateur/professional mtb rider mates who carry lightweight, small beacons in the You
Yangs, Dandenongs, and in Lysterfield.