PLAY FOR SAFETY

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 75, 29 March 1934, Page 10

PLAY FOR SAFETY

ADVICE FROM CLUB

CO3IMOX-SENSE EULES

I Weather conditions are expected to 'j improve for Easter, nevertheless trampers must take-flooded rivers and heavy snow conditions into account. Easter is-a- very' unsettled time of the year for the Tararuas, arid a number of trips which are quite easy in summer are to be viewed in a much different light at this time of the year. ; : ' In addition /to urging' visitors in bush areas1 to-do their utmost to.protect the-forest, native birds, and huts, and; to' respect thp/ rights and property of private landowners, the- Tararua Tjamping Club asks that a reminder should be given of the safety rules drawn up by the club last August. The rules cover a very wide range, and from their twenty-five clauses the following selections are made; — Inquire into your route thoroughly beforehand, .which] .rivers are hard and which are easy, and if any huts or gorges • are not marked on your map. Make-notes beforehand. ■ • ' - - . ■ Decide on'your leader and stick to him asyour leader. Co sure that your party is fit and capable, and try to have at least one member with a knowledge of the country to. be traversed. .Make/sure, that you have a large enough party. This.is most-important. Four/rtould be a minimum; three is doubtful, two dangerous, and one is suicidal. 'lii a case of extreme emergency a party of'fourcan divide,, two ■• members can go out to seek assistance, and two-can remain behind. Before you'leave town, ring the Weather Office for ■: a special forecast. liemember that the-Tararuas are also dangerous in summer time,.and that you can only expect about one clear day in ten.- Mist; fog, whia,.and-cold are.always to: be.reckoned with.in the ranges. : .."..' EQTTTPMENT. ' . Concentrated, rations are ( required. Full rations to cover a period of at least half as much t again as expected should be carried.. ■'.'',',. . Take/ample clothing. In winter time make adequate arrangements for snow— puttees,' r.iding breeches, or- leggings. Concentrate- on. woollen ' clothing and wear, at, least two heavy shirts and long woollen underpants under . windproof oilskins, when, on exposed tops. Use glove's, scarves, balaclavas, oilskin sou-westers, and carry a sleeping bag or .blanket and an. oilskin' case. Oilskin sOats, with a flap to cover your pack, are strongly recommended. Always havea'drychang'e of clothes. " • • A tent is essential "and will enable you to wait for good weather. Tent poles/should be cut'before leaving the bush. A small primus is very U6eful. Every tramper must carry a reliable compass. Carry at'least one good map, paper and pencil, watches, and first-aifl outfits.. In winbr' time '. add snpw goggles, ice axes,' Alpine- rope, and^ zinc ointment. : Garry-a tomahawk, slasher, or light half-axe. Buy waterproof matches,' arid carryin a,waterproof container or ;seaj" in candle'grease in the bottom of your" box^ ■ ' ' ■",':., • . JN, EMERGENCY. '.'. . Do not get excited. Think-back.and go; back on your tracks', and see if you can'find'cmt'your-mistake. Your mind should contain a 'mental; map of the main . features,,: watersheds, and' -their -.divisions ■ and /subdivisions, and everything: will'fit in. : ■If darkness is-near ;go down to the bush on fee sheltered side of the ridge and camp. • • ■ .-.- '•■ ,-;'..- i ; Leave a note in- a .prominent position giving the: nanies .of yotir • party, the dateiand'time and,where you are going to when you leave tho ridge.' If in a rivsr, leave:,a-note at some, easily located pointsuch' as a stream junction. Blaze prominently -at this.' point. Leave a note at all your camp's on the same lines.1 •• .' •:■ ;:■■; •. -~-. • , ■ .Eation .your food- immediately and conserve the food'that'does not require^ cooking, as you may- be unable to light fires. If you are iii a bad position in bad weather stay in your tent and wait for an-improvement. ■ • If-you-cannot find your way along the ridge,-cut. but-, across -country on compass r bearings in preference to descending; a 'bad \ river. . At.-all times keep to ridges and spurs in preference to streams.- ' - ;- ■-- ' ;■ Keep-together; at all costs'. Do not expect your party: to be'always just behind you. See that they are. If ■•you require .urgent help, divide your, .-■• party- Two can , stay in' camp and . not move-their .position without leaving a clear note.* The other two can 'go for assistance. Keep a good fire ''■ goingi A 'blaze by' night and smoke .: by day;. , Stick to your gear. Look for searchers and food .dumps. •NO.FPQI.ISHNESS. : Do not try for records at.the expense of- equipment. • : ..-.-■ . ; ■ . >Do not risk: fancy rock-climbing beyond- the capacity of your party. /. Do-.not'risk.your.life.in flooded rivers. Always ford at the widest point. Cross as'one -party and not .singly. ■ Make a good camp on all occasions. Build a 'breakwind for your fire ■ and tent.- • '- ■ ••'.•'.-■ ; ■ , Keep your -circulation; going at.all costs. Pummel one another if necessary. . Beware of. frostbite. Do not take frostbite to a fire.- Hub with snow and a rough blanket. , ■ .Spirits are useless-in cases of exhaustion when- the. patient is exposed or wet. Only use in camp and never when unconscious. • Food in. small and repeated doses is the-best thiiig when exhaustion is coming on. .^Before you start a fire have an ample supply' of fuel handy. Build your fire in,pyramid form- and keep it off the cold ground and where a- draught can operate by building your fire on a small platform of heavy •sticks.' Shield your first blaze from the rain.