It’s an all too common scenario making news headlines at least a couple of times a year. A vehicle becomes stranded, broken or immobile in an inhospitable, hot and remote location and its occupants abandon it to try to walk to safety. The results are all too predictable and almost always tragic.

IF IT ALL GOES WRONG AND YOU FIND YOURSELF STRANDED WITH A BUSTED 4WD IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT BACK ALIVE?

Surviving a situation that has gone completely pear shaped comes down to two key factors; preparation and luck. For the most part, luck is just that; a flip of a coin or a complete fluke, however as avid 4WD enthusiasts the preparation part of the equation should be well and truly in our favour.

The scenario of a disabled 4WD in an isolated location is not as farfetched as you may believe and is one that faces many remote area 4WD enthusiasts every year. Given the nature of the terrain, style of travel and prior preparation for the intended trip; such a disaster actually happens when most are as well prepared as they possibly could be. Yet we still hear of tragedy where the chances of rescue and survival are extremely high.

The basics of any survival situation comes down to four key elements; FOOD, FIRE, WATER and SHELTER. These can be viewed as the building blocks for making it out alive and each plays a critical role. The heartening news is that becoming stranded with your 4WD, means you are already in a commanding position from the get go.

SURVIVAL PSYCHOLOGY

A survival or emergency situation will create stresses you may not be used to at a time when you need to deal with them the most. The following is a list of just what you may need to overcome while dealing with your physical situation:

• Cold and or extreme heat
• Pain, illness or injury
• Fear
• Thirst and hunger
• Sleep deprivation
• Isolation or loneliness

It isn’t a matter of can you cope with these, you simply have to.

SHELTER

The truth of the matter is that it will take a healthy human a fair length of time to die from starvation yet exposure to the elements can kill you in a matter of hours. Life-threatening heat and cold is your top enemy and shelter from these extremes is paramount to any survival situation. Your vehicle is your number one asset in this situation.

Under only the very last resort type scenario should you ever leave your vehicle and attempt to walk to help. In short, never leave the vehicle; it will keep you alive. A 4WD can be seen from the air far more easily than a human. A vehicle has an abundant supply of survival aids.

The most likely scenario in Australia is that of extreme heat. Within the arid interior of Australia the average day time temperature is between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius. At these temperatures the risk of serious heat stroke resulting in fatality is high. Water loss due to sweating must be avoided and activity severely curtailed during the hottest parts of the day.

Use your vehicle to shelter from direct sun. Roll out awnings or roof top tents to provide shade. Do not sit inside the vehicle where temperatures can double that of outside highs. Lay under the vehicle for shade if nothing else is available. Restrict all activity and use the middle of the day to rest. Try to position yourself to gather any available breeze yet still stay shaded.

Should your environment be reversed and severe cold be the enemy; put on all available clothing and get inside the vehicle. Use window shades to block any exposed glass and keep windows up to avoid wind-chill. If conditions become unbearable and you can start the vehicle, turn the heater on for short periods to warm the interior of the car, keeping a close eye on fuel reserves. Burning a candle or fuel stove carefully inside the car will heat the small space surprisingly well but be sure you have adequate ventilation.

During the cooler hours you may venture from the shade of your 4WD and begin to assess and work on your situation. Remove large items from your vehicle and spread them around to increase your footprint making you more visible from the air. Remove your side mirrors and have one ready to flash any passing plane you might hear. In short, actively plan for rescue and be ready to give yourself any and every edge you can of being found. Do not wait till you hear a plane to start thinking about how to signal it.

WATER

As previously mentioned; given the nature of travel and the means by which you are undertaking it, chances are you have a healthy supply of drinking water with you. This does not however, mean it’s time to make cups of coffee or wash your hands. Your water reserves are your lifeline and must, at all cost be used sparingly and with close consideration.

The science behind survival water consumption says that your first 24 hours after acknowledging that water is going to be severely rationed, you should restrict or not drink at all. This shocks the body into slowing down all water loss. Then, you should divide your water into daily amounts based on your total. Then divide your day amount into 4 or 6 lots. Then rather than sipping your water throughout the day, drink your entire allotted amount of each 4 or 6 doses in one go, at regularly spaced intervals. The concept behind this is that it triggers your body’s response to use the water (sipping will not do this) yet it doesn’t let your body think the drought is over and thus shed water unnecessarily.

YOU CAN LIVE FOR SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER WITH NO FOOD THAN YOU CAN WITH NO WATER

It is also wise to try and dissolve a small amount of salt in your mouth before you drink your scheduled water ration. This allows the body to better store or retain the water. If none is available, lick your skin to reuse salty sweat.

Resting during the heat of the day is utterly vital, especially in hot, dry arid conditions. Even while lying in a shady environment, the average adult will lose about a litre of water simply through, respiration and perspiration. That figure is greatly increased during activity. Refrain from talking and avoid breathing through your mouth, only your nose. These seem like inconsequential acts yet even the simplest water saving technique could mean the difference.

If water reserves are restricted, refrain from eating or eat as little as possible.

You can live for significantly longer with no food than you can with no water. Without adequate water intake, fluid is taken from vital organs to aid digestion which increases dehydration. Fatty foods further enhance this. Likewise, as tempting as it might be, do not drink alcohol. This also takes fluid from vital organs to break down and is also a diuretic meaning it makes you pee more than usual, thus wasting more water.

If you have pitched near a water source of suspect quality such as water trough, mud hole or stock infected water, it is vital that you treat the water before drinking. The simplest method is to bring all water to a rolling boil for greater than one minute. This will effectively kill all bacteria rendering it safe to drink. Another option to carry in the back of the 4WD is a Lifestraw. These work by filtering the water as you drink, giving you clean drinking water.

Perhaps the simplest and least energy wasting method of supplementing your water supplies is to use condensation. Tie large rubbish bags around tree branches (choose branches that are thickly vegetated) and let the midday sun evaporate water stored and brought up by the tree into the bag. Other methods such as distillation and solar stills will produce water yet require considerably more energy to produce. The old adage of “ration your sweat not your water” rings true here. Another easy water collection method is to harvest morning dew off your surrounds such as awnings, vehicle and vegetation.

ANIMALS AS WATER INDICATORS

Mammals: Most mammals require water daily, especially grazing animals. If you can see grazing animals you will not be far from a water source. Converging game trails or trails heading downhill usually lead to water.
Birds: All seed eating birds require water dawn and dusk and do not move far from it. When seen flying straight and low they are generally water bound. Water birds are poor water indicators as they can travel vast distances to reach water.

Reptiles: Very poor indicators of water as they can live with no water source, instead getting moisture from food.

Insects: Very good indicators, especially bees as they require water often and rarely fly far from it.