LOST? BROKEN DOWN? Tips You Need To Know!

When you’re in your vehicle, feeling like you’re getting lost, for a short period is no drama. Usually, you know where you are in a general sense and can find your way back to the road you’re seeking. If you are off main roads, you are likely to have a map and can usually retrace your route to get going in the correct direction again. But if you are seriously lost and don’t have a map, or think you’ve driven off the map section you have, then you need to try and re-orientate yourself. Turning around and heading back the way you came from is often a good idea, however, landmarks often look totally different when coming from the opposite direction and can create more confusion.

If your vehicle breaks down in a populated area, then simply use your mobile phone to call for assistance, either from your motoring organisation or a nearby garage. (There are many different options for roadside assistance; if you have a new vehicle, you may be covered by your manufacturer’s roadside assistance, or if your vehicle is outside of this term you will need to join another program i.e., RACV, NRMA, Marshall Batteries/ or even your motor vehicle insurer may have this as an additional option.)

If the problem is as simple as a puncture, follow the guidelines for changing a wheel in the vehicle manual, (it pays to familiarise yourself with this procedure and where the necessary tools are before you need them) or you contact your motoring organisation for help in this instance if needed.

If you ‘re in a remote area and it’s a significant breakdown, things become more difficult. The first rule is to always stay with your vehicle. A vehicle can always be more easily located than a person on foot. Use your mobile phone, UHF radio; HF radio or satellite phone to call for assistance. You will need to be able to provide full details of where you are and what the problem is. Then it will be just a matter of waiting for help to arrive.

Australia’s primary emergency call service number is 000, even if calling from a mobile phone. There are also two secondary numbers – 112 and 106. 112 is available to call from mobile phones (if calling from a landline this number will not be re-routed to any emergency service) and 106 connects to the text-based relay service for anyone with a hearing or speech impairment. 112 is also an international standard emergency number, however, it can only be called from a digital mobile phone (whilst overseas). It does not require a sim card or pin number to make a call, but phone coverage must be available.

• While you may not have full mobile coverage, emergency services may still be able to be called; your phone will display SOS only, if available. When you can’t make a call at all, you may still be able to send a text, as this requires much less signal strength than a phone call.

• If you have called emergency services, don’t turn off your phone. A lot of people would turn their phone off after calling to preserve battery life; however, you should keep it turned on in case they need to call you back.

• Check your phone's user manual or alternatively online for tips on how to save battery life, before you leave, not when you’re already in trouble i.e., turning down the brightness of the display, turning off vibrate etc. You may even want to carry a spare battery, just remember to charge it too before you leave.

• There are apps for smartphones i.e., “find my phone” or “find my friends”. Register your phone and set the GPS to stay ON.

• If you can’t call for assistance and don’t have an emergency position indicator radio beacon (EPIRB), then you will need to wait for another vehicle to come by and assist you.

• Use your vehicle, and awning to provide shade.

• Drink water sparingly (some food, including canned food, will also contain water).

• In the cooler part of the day, collect brushwood so that you can start a fire to attract attention if you see or hear a plane.

• Put something bright and preferably reflective, on the roof of your vehicle so that it can easily be seen from a distance.

• If you decide you must leave your vehicle, leave a note giving the time and date of your departure and the direction you intend to travel in. Take your map, GPS, and all your water. Keep your body as well covered as possible and rest frequently, travel in the cooler parts of the day.

• Consider carrying Emergency items such as an Outdoor Rescue Thermal Blanket an Outdoor First Aid Kit and an Outdoor water filter system.