Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
centres and DOC offices. Only activate your PLB in life-threatening situations; see
www.beacons.org.nz
for more details.
Also available are emergency satellite instant messenger devices, such as SPOT
(
www.findmespot.com
)
and inReach (
www.inreachdelorme.com
)
. These allow you to send
and receive text messages but signal strength is generally less than a PLB.
If no other emergency communications are available, use the internationally recognised
emergency alert: six short blasts of a whistle at 10-second intervals (yell or use a torch if
you haven't got a whistle), followed by a minute's rest. Repeat the sequence until you re-
ceive a response, which should be three signals at 20-second intervals, followed by a one-
minute pause and then a repetition of the sequence.
First Aid
At least one person in your group should possess adequate first-aid knowledge and know
how to apply it. If possible, attend a course before heading into the outdoors or at least do
some reading; MSC's
Outdoor First Aid
manual ($35) is comprehensive and NZ-relevant,
as is the St John (
www.stjohn.org.nz
)
online
First Aid Library
. A first-aid kit is a must for
any tramp.
