Our new recruits learn all about Wilderness First aid

Chris gives us a smile while St John Ambulance reminds us of EpiPen best practice.

There’s plenty of reasons why volunteering as a guide with Emu Trekkers is awesome. But one of our favourites is all the new skills we get to learn.​

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​That’s never been truer than earlier this year, when a group of our new recruits completed a Wilderness First Aid course with St John Ambulance. 

Obviously, we hope that these are skills we never need to use - but keeping Emu Trekkers’ guests safe in the wilderness is one of our biggest priorities. Which means that keeping our guides up-to-date with the latest training is super important.

The hikes we do in the mountains are incredibly safe - and our guides know them inside and out. But, if you’re planning to head off on a solo adventure somewhere more remote, then some of the tips we discovered could come in handy.
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Big thanks to Chris and Tristan for being the official Emu Trekkers’ models - although they couldn't stop laughing!

Tristan and Chris demonstrating how to safely roll someone with an injured arm.

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First Aid Kit Essentials:
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We learned just how versatile the triangle bandage is. From creating slings to tying on splints, to using as a bandage or pad, this inconspicuous item is your new best friend in the bush. Make sure you have at least one in your first aid kit, alongside a compression bandage, crepe bandage, gloves, plasters and cleansing wipes as a basic kit. You’ll need to assess your first aid kit for each adventure.

Carry a PLB:

Australia is one big country, which means mobile phone signals can’t always be relied upon. Purchase yourself a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) so that you always have a way to call for help if you need it. You can even hire them or get them for free from national parks offices such as Kosciusko or the Blue Mountains. 

Buy a space blanket:

These are true miracle workers. If you ever unexpectedly need to spend a night outside then these will help keep you toasty when the temperature drops. At less than $5 a pop, make sure you’re always carrying one in your pack.

Keep hydrated:

While most people heading into the Aussie bush worry about snakes and spiders (and trust us, they’re more scared of you, than you are of them) the main thing to worry about is water. Keeping hydrated in the Aussie sun is really important - so make sure you carry two to three litres per day as well as a water filtration system if you’re out overnight. We always pack hydrolytes too, to help give a little added boost when we need it. If you’re on one of our overnight hikes you won’t need to worry about treating your water - we’ve got it all covered. 

Plan ahead:

The most important thing you can do is to get into the habit of factoring first aid into your planning. What needs to be in your first aid kit? What are the risks of your trip? How are you planning for these? Have you left your plan (and your contingency plan) with someone? 

The weekend was truly fascinating and is just one of the measures we take to make sure that Emu Trekkers’ guides are some of the best in the business. Want to join us on our next trek? Find out more here. 

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