Staying Safe and Leading Confidently in the Australian Bush
Anyone who’s spent time in the Australian bush knows that even a well-planned hike doesn’t always go to plan. A rolled ankle, a wrong turn, a flat battery, a forgotten torch, a sudden change in weather, or a walker pushing beyond their limits, it doesn’t take much for a routine trip to turn into a real test. That unpredictability is part of what makes hiking so rewarding, but it’s also why preparation, awareness, and calm leadership matter so much.
This guide is for anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors safely and confidently, whether you’re walking solo or leading a group. After decades on the trail, I’ve learned that the most valuable things you carry aren’t in your pack, they’re your preparation, judgment, and ability to stay composed when things go wrong.
1. The Foundation of Safety: Prevention and Preparation
The vast majority of hiking incidents are preventable. Effective incident management doesn’t begin with a crisis; it begins long before you set foot on the trail. Careful planning and preparation are the bedrock of a safe and enjoyable trip. This strategic groundwork builds the confidence and capability needed to handle unexpected events, ensuring that you are responding to challenges, not reacting to disasters.
1.1. The Four-Step Risk Management Mindset
Formal risk management can sound complex, but for a hiker, it’s a practical mindset. It’s a continuous loop of thinking that keeps you and your group safe.
Step 1: Identify the Risks
This is simply the process of thinking through “what could go wrong.” As you plan a trip, visualise the terrain from the map, the steep scree slopes where a slip is likely, the single log bridges that require focus, and the old mine shafts marked to give a wide berth. Consider environmental hazards: bushfire risk, flooded crossings, unstable cliffs, and even specific plants like stinging nettles. Think about wildlife encounters with snakes or ticks, and the risk of waterborne illnesses like giardia. This mental exercise is your first line of defence.
Step 2: Assess the Likelihood and Consequences
Once you’ve identified a risk, weigh the chance of it happening against how bad it would be if it did. A twisted ankle, for example, is more likely but generally less severe than a snakebite, which is rare but can be critical. This simple assessment helps you prioritise your planning. A high-risk rating, where the consequences are major or critical, even if the likelihood is low, demands significant control measures.
Step 3: Control the Risks
This step is about deciding “what you’ll do about it.” The most effective control is to eliminate the hazard completely, such as choosing a safer route to avoid a dangerous river crossing. Other controls include bringing appropriate gear (Personal Protective Equipment like proper boots, gaiters, and wet-weather clothing) or putting rules and procedures in place (Administration), like setting a strict turnaround time or ensuring the group waits at every junction.
This is where a list like the Ten Essentials comes into play, it’s the physical manifestation of controlling known risks. Reliable navigation tools, lighting, insulation, hydration, nutrition, and first-aid supplies aren’t just good practice; they’re tangible risk controls.
Step 4: Monitor and Review
Risk management isn’t a one-time task you complete at home. It’s a continuous process of staying vigilant on the trail. Constantly observe changing conditions, the weather turning, a track becoming overgrown, a walker showing signs of fatigue, and be prepared to review and adjust your plan accordingly.
1.2. Pre-Hike Essentials: Your Planning Checklist
Thorough Research: Choose a walk that is suitable for the capabilities of your group. Research the route meticulously using topographical maps, guidebooks, and club resources to understand its length, elevation changes, and potential challenges.
Check Conditions: In the days leading up to your hike, check the latest information. This includes weather forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, fire bans and planned burns (in Victoria, use the Victorian Bushfire Information Line), and any park, track, or road closures with the relevant authorities like Parks Victoria or VicRoads.
Gear and Equipment: Ensure every member is carrying essential equipment. This must include a well-stocked first aid kit, snake bandages (especially during snake season from September to April), navigation tools (map, compass, and GPS or a reliable app), and adequate food and water for the planned duration and potential delays.
Communication Plan: Carry a fully charged mobile phone. For trips in remote locations with no reliable reception, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or satellite phone is a non-negotiable piece of safety equipment. Crucially, carry a portable power bank or charger. A flat battery is a preventable failure of a critical communication tool.
Leave Trip Intentions: This is one of the most critical safety nets. Leave a detailed route plan, a list of participants, and your expected return time with a reliable emergency contact. This person should know what to do and who to call if you don’t check in by the agreed-upon time.
1.3. At the Trailhead: The Final Briefing
The moments before you start walking are a final opportunity to ensure the group is prepared, aligned, and ready for a safe trip.
Welcome and Introductions: Take the time to welcome everyone, paying special attention to new members or visitors to make them feel included. Have everyone introduce themselves to build group cohesion from the start.
Final Gear Check: Briefly confirm that all participants have the essential gear you specified. As the leader, you have the authority, and the responsibility, to refuse to take someone who is inadequately equipped. Their safety, and that of the group, is in your hands.
Route Overview: Gather the group around a map and brief them on the day’s route. Point out key landmarks, planned rest stops, potential challenges like steep sections or river crossings, and state the expected finish time to manage expectations.
Establish Group Etiquette: Clearly communicate the rules for the day. This should include waiting for the group to gather at all track junctions, notifying the leader immediately of any problems (like blisters or fatigue), and the procedure for toilet breaks (leaving your pack on the track so the group knows to wait).
Set the Pace for the Whole Group: A group can only travel as fast as its slowest member. As the leader, maintain a steady, sustainable pace that ensures no one is pushed beyond their limits. This reduces fatigue, prevents separation, and helps maintain morale and safety across the group.
Appoint a ‘Whip’: Designate an experienced and capable group member to be the ‘whip’ or ‘tail-end charlie.’ Their role is to bring up the rear, ensuring no one is left behind and maintaining communication with you at the front.
While thorough preparation prevents most issues, knowing how to respond calmly and effectively when things do go wrong is the next critical layer of skill for any responsible hiker.
2. In the Moment: A Framework for Emergency Response
Despite the most careful planning, incidents can and do occur. In these moments, your ability to act with clarity, calm, and decisiveness is paramount. A structured response, focused leadership, and effective delegation are the keys to managing a crisis and preventing a difficult situation from escalating into a genuine emergency.
2.1. The First Response: Stop, Think, Act
When an incident occurs, the first few seconds are critical. Avoid the impulse to rush. Instead, rely on a simple, structured sequence to establish control, the foundation of situational awareness.
Stop and Regroup: Your first action is to halt the group immediately. Gather everyone in a safe location away from any further danger (e.g., cliffs, falling rocks). Project calm, your group will take its cues from you.
Think and Assess Calmly: Take a deep breath and calmly assess the situation. What is the exact nature of the problem, an injury, a lost person, a sudden weather event? What resources do you have available, first aid skills, communication devices, shelter, remaining daylight?
Take Charge and Act: As the leader, you must exhibit confidence, even if you don’t feel it. Take control of the situation and begin implementing a clear plan based on your assessment.
2.2. Leading with Confidence: Delegation and Communication
No leader can manage a serious incident alone. You’ll quickly learn that your role is to direct the group’s efforts effectively.
Delegate Tasks Clearly: Assign specific, essential tasks to reliable group members. This frees you to maintain overall command. Your instructions to a novice will be direct and specific (“telling” style), while those to an experienced hiker or first aider can be more hands-off (“delegating” style).
Example: “You, find our coordinates on the GPS.” “You, make the others comfortable and keep them warm.”
Provide First Aid (DRSABCD): If there is an injury, immediate and correct first aid is critical.
D – Danger
R – Response
S – Send for Help
A – Airway
B – Breathing
C – Circulation
D – Defibrillator/Deadly Bleeding
Manage Communications: Communication is vital both within the group and with the outside world.
- Internal: Use whistle codes, one blast means “Where are you?”, three blasts means “I need help!”, four blasts means “Come to me.”
- External: If you need to contact emergency services (000 in Australia), first confirm your exact location using GPS coordinates or an app like Emergency+, and note key details before you call. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) should only be activated in a situation of grave and imminent danger.
Document Everything: As soon as possible, take notes. Record the time of the incident, actions taken, decisions made, and any communications with emergency services. This information is invaluable for official reports and later reviews.
3. Incident Scenarios: Your Playbook for Specific Emergencies
While the core principles of stopping, thinking, and acting remain constant, different incidents require specific tactical responses. This section serves as a quick-reference playbook, outlining the key actions for some of the most common and serious situations a hiker might face.
3.1. Individual Walker is Lost
Stop the group and project calm. Try to communicate with the missing person by voice, whistle, or phone. Determine when and where they were last seen. Delegate roles for an immediate, methodical search, but ensure searchers remain in contact and do not put themselves at risk.
3.2. The Entire Group is Lost
Stop walking immediately, gather everyone, and reassure the group. Pool all navigation resources, maps, compasses, GPS devices, and collective knowledge. Observe your surroundings and identify landmarks to reorient. If truly lost, activate your emergency communication plan.
3.3. The Group is Overdue
Confirm that you’re not lost and there’s no medical emergency. Contact your emergency contact as soon as possible to advise of the delay. Assess wellbeing and resources, then decide whether to continue or shelter, depending on daylight, weather, and group condition.
3.4. Injury Where a Walker Can Continue
Provide first aid, delegate roles, lighten the injured person’s load, assign a walking buddy, and modify the route to finish safely.
3.5. Injury Requiring Evacuation
Ensure the scene is safe, provide first aid (DRSABCD), delegate tasks, contact emergency services with exact location and injury details, and manage the wellbeing of the rest of the group. Keep everyone warm, calm, and together.
3.6. Snake Bite
Reassure the victim and keep them calm and still, movement spreads venom. Do not wash the wound. Apply a pressure-immobilisation bandage starting just above the bite site and continue upward. Immobilise the limb with a splint, keep the person lying still, and call 000 immediately. Do not attempt to catch or kill the snake.
3.7. Heat Stress / Exhaustion
Stop the walker immediately and move them to shade. Lay them down, elevate their legs slightly, and offer small, frequent sips of cool water or electrolytes. Cool them with wet cloths, airflow, or ice packs under arms and groin. If confusion, vomiting, or collapse occurs, call 000, this may indicate heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency.
3.8. Dealing with a Death on the Trail
Protect the body from the elements but do not move it unless in immediate danger. Notify emergency services. The police will take control on arrival. The leader should liaise directly with the incident controller and instruct the group not to post about the incident online. Do not admit liability. Document everything.
4. The Aftermath: Recovery and Learning
A leader’s responsibility doesn’t end when the danger passes. The recovery phase ensures everyone’s wellbeing and turns a negative event into a learning opportunity, reinforcing a culture of safety and care.
4.1. Debriefing and Group Support
After a serious incident, debrief with those involved to help them process the experience. Encourage participants to seek support from friends or family, and if necessary, professional counselling.
4.2. Formal Reporting and Review
Complete an incident report for your group, club or organisation as soon as possible. Forward any potential insurance claims and share key lessons or near-miss insights to improve future safety practices.
4.3. Final Thoughts
While the scenarios in this guide are serious, they’re also rare. The goal of incident management isn’t to create fear but to build confidence. Every step you take in preparation, every skill you practise, and every moment of awareness on the trail increases your ability to respond effectively when it matters most.
A well-prepared hiker is a safe hiker, someone who can embrace the adventure, beauty, and challenge of the Australian bush with confidence and peace of mind.
Carry knowledge alongside your gear, and you’ll always give yourself and your group the best chance of returning safely, ready for the next adventure.
Happy and safe hiking.
