Safety in the back-country

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33094, 8 December 1972, Page 14

Safety in the back-country

Persons venturing into the back-country during the Christmas-New Year holidays must take adequate precautions, said SergeanC R. G. Gargett, of the police Search and Rescue Organisation, yesterday. During the last festive season, Sergeant Gargett and his team organised 20 search and rescue operations of all descriptions. Since this time last year, there have been 65 searches run from Christchurch. Several fatalities, under varying circumstances, have occurred. Sargeant Gargett said many fatalities had resulted from lack of care. He warned those persons of all ages, whether they be trampers, hunters, holidaymakers, or one-day picnickers, to take care in the back-country or when near rivers or the sea. Parties going into the bush

should be under strong leadership. Someone should be prepared to act as leader and carefully plan the expedition. Experienced persons should be consulted about routes, weather conditions, type of terrain, and the proper clothing to wear. Federated mountain clubs, the Mountain Safety Council, and park rangers could all offer sound advice, he said. Someone, preferably a relative or park ranger, should be informed of the party’s destination, the names of those comprising it, and the expected time they are due to return. Sergeant Gargett said that particular care should be taken with firearms. Hunters should thoroughly check their rifles before leaving home. Only when shooters reached the shooting area should a magazine be loaded. The breech should be loaded only when a shot is about to be fired.

Targets should be properly identified before firing —

hunters should not shoot at movement, colour, or shape. Careful consideration should be given to the firing zone and shots should not be made over a hill, through thick bush, or on a river bank. Sergeant Gargett appealed to parents to keep a constant watch on toddlers and young children while near a river or at the seaside. Swimmers should keep between the flags erected by surf clubs.