Dialogue: Adventurers could learn thing or two from Scouts

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

New Zealand is an outdoors paradise, but take it for granted at your peril.

Every year, trampers, hunters, climbers, swimmers and boaties get themselves into trouble, often through their own carelessness.

Luckily for most, there are bands of fit, enthusiastic, skilled and public-spirited guardian angels out there who save lives without fanfare.

Personal satisfaction is their reward. It has to be - too often they don't even receive a simple thank you. At other times, the promise of a donation or a dozen beers made in the flush of relief come to nothing.

Sometimes these saviours even get abused by silly, selfish people more worried about looking foolish than grateful for being rescued.

So why do the likes of surf lifesavers, coastguard, mountain safety, and land search and rescue volunteers give up their time, often at considerable sacrifice?

It is hard to get a straightforward answer.

These are folk who love outdoor activity, train for it seriously, and simply want to be "out there," helping where they can. They are willing to dip into their own pockets to learn more, use their private vehicles and provide their own gear and provisions, as well as taking unpaid hours off work.

But there must be occasions when blatant stupidity and complacency, thoughtlessness and lack of preparation frustrate them enormously.

Not only do the victims put others' lives at risk and cause unnecessary worry, they also waste thousands of dollars in taxpayers' money, especially when expensive helicopters are called in.

If the professionals, such as police, did not have the invaluable assistance of efficient volunteers, the cost would be much higher, both in lives and dollars.

The unforgivable thing is that so many search and rescues are preventable. Basic homework and little financial outlay could mean the difference between life and death.

Just as boogie boarders are constantly reminded to wear fins in the surf and boaties to carry lifejackets and flares, trampers should have a compass and a map.

Several headline-grabbing rescues around the country already this year - plus three recent land searches in the Tauranga area in nine days - have highlighted how small details can have a huge impact.

An intended bush tramp of only a few hours is still no walk in the park. Being irresponsible or getting distracted along the way can have major repercussions.

It takes little effort to leave a note visible in the car, detailing destination, how many in the group, expected return time, and contact numbers should you be overdue.

If you are going boating, make sure someone at home has a record of the boat's name and description. Check the fuel gauge and have a sober captain on board.

Cellphones have saved a few skins, but they may not function in remote areas. Take a spare battery and know the number of your phone.

Sounds silly? Many a person has rung emergency services to say they are lost and the batteries are running out or they do not know the number of their pre-paid phone for a return call and there is no traceable record of it.

If you are serious about safety, hire a mountain radio, buy a personal locator beacon, or carry some marine-glow sticks. And throw in some waterproof matches, a signal mirror and a penlight.

According to the experts, a survival blanket is just that - a vital piece of equipment which costs only a few dollars.

The lightweight foil blanket, which folds to the size of a wallet, not only keeps you warm and dry but can be used to attract help. A big mountain safety plastic bag will also do the trick.

Oh, and a Swiss army knife could come in handy. Don't forget, of course, suitable clothing for a change of weather, some high-energy food (dog biscuits are better than nothing), and drink. Dehydration will get you before hunger does.

Read up, join a club and learn from the experiences of others, or do a training course.

The potential for disaster is out there and it is not worth taking risks.

That old Scout motto still holds true: Be prepared.

And in case something should go amiss, let's hear it for our underrated, unsung rescue squads waiting in the wings.