The Larapinta Trail is a wilderness experience, defined by remoteness, mountain ranges and extreme temperatures. If you are injured, get sick or some how get knocked out from a fall, your speedy recovery or rescue will entirely depend on what preliminary emergency planning measures you took before starting the walk. Failing to do so could mean waiting for many hours, possibly even a couple of days, before rescue arrives if you sustain an injury. (See news links below)
Point Research and develop your emergency plan
Point Make sure you have the right equipment to initiate rescue or help
Point Make sure you know how to use the equipment
Point Let people know of your walk. Fill out log books.
Point Dialling 000 will help, but make sure you have direct call numbers as well
Point Always carry a PLB ( Personal Locator Beacon)
Point Always carry a First Aid Kit and know basic first aid
Point Watch out for old injuries ( i.e. weak ankles) and prepare beforehand
Point If you are unsure, always seek professional guidance and help
Developing and Submitting a Walkers Plan
Developing a plan and submitting this plan to the Parks Office or to friends in town is highly advisable. The plan will provide all the key information rescue agencies/elements will need to jump start their rescue efforts. Below is a list of what should be included in such plans:
Point Itinerary of the Walk (Dates, Timings and Locations of your Walk)
Point Equipment list of each walker
Point Emergency communication devices carried
Point First aid training and experience levels of walker
Point Prior medical conditions which rescuers should be aware of
At each trailhead, Section Log Books have been provided by NT Parks and Wildlife Rangers. By accurately entering your details and the date and time of your arrival or departure at that trailhead, authorities will be able to conduct any search and rescue if required, with greater efficiency and effectiveness, as the log books provide authorities with a start or finish point. Use them - they can save your life.
This video shows Westpac Rescue helicopter conducting a rescue of an injured bushwalker in the Barrington Tops NP area.Take note of the various considerations and constraints the pilot and crew are making about the where they could land, where the injured bushwalker may be and how to access rough terrain..
 
 Some Emergency Scenarios examples on the Larapinta Trail
Some common injuries and scenarios which could occur on the Larapinta Trail (and in some cases have occurred). They include:
Point Broken or sprained ankle in a narrow gorge or steep side of a valley
Point Severe gastro resulting in severe dehydration
Point Insect bite and subsequent allergic reaction
Point Slip on loose rock resulting blunt trauma to the head with concussion
Point Heat exhaustion and dehydration caused by heat and sun exposure
 Getting Help for Serious Medical Emergencies
After carrying out initial first aid and stabilising the casualty (or your self) as best as you can, you will need to initiate contact with the local authorities to effect an emergency evacuation. To do this you will need a satellite phone or PLB to effect an immediate response. Remember, plan carefully which emergency communication devices you will carry on your walk, as they will mean the difference between waiting for a few hours to a few days.
Point Know how to use your emergency communication devices
Point If you have a PIN on your satphone, make sure others can find it
Point Carry all the necessary emergency phone numbers near your phone
Point Be prepared to provide the exact coordinates of your location
Key Emergency Numbers
Point National Emergency Number (Free Call) - Dial 000
Point NT Police - 131 444
Point NT Emergency Service- (08) 8952 3841
Ranger Station Contacting Park Rangers in an Emergency
For emergencies only, walkers can contact Park Rangers at Ormiston Gorge and Simpson's Gap. The Park Rangers live in these locations and are private residencies. Note that due to the nature of their work and size of the park, Park Rangers are not always easily accessible.
 Medical Evacuation
Help may arrive in different forms and ways, depending where you are and what level the emergency is. Common injuries on trails are sprains, bone fractures or breaks, concussion and/or various forms of heat and cold related illnesses. Each injury and the respective emergency response are based on its life threatening condition and pain tolerance levels. In most serious cases, casualties are evacuated by helicopter
Keep in mind that the terrain and remoteness of the trail will constrain, limit and restrict evacuation methods and attempts. High ground with limited obstructions ( i.e. trees, rocky outcrops) may allow aeromedical evacuation, while narrow gorges or rough terrain may require a physical extraction ( i.e. stretcher)
People have been evacuated off the Larapinta Trail due to injury - it does happen. Like any field or outdoor work/activity, there is an element of risk associated with it. Therefore it is wise to plan for such an event, so that, when something does happen, your response ( or the rescuers) will be swift and planned.
Medical Facilities in Alice Springs
Medical facilities in Alice Springs are very good. These facilities not only service the Alice Springs population of more than 20,000 people but all of the surrounding Aboriginal communities, pastoral stations, roadhouses and smaller townships. The main facility is the Alice Springs Hospital but there are also a range of GP clinics and other medical facilities such as dentists, physios etc..

Alice Springs Hospital
Street Address: Gap Road

Office Phone: (08) 8951 7777 Fax: (08) 8951 7988
External News Links to Larapinta Trail Rescues and Tragedies
external_link Mystery surrounds NT trek death - Channel 9 - 24 Sep 2009
external_link Gastro infection sparks outback rescue - ABC - 22 Sep 2009
external_link 'Beautiful view' calms outback stroke victim - ABC - Jul 2009
external_link Second tourist dies on NT trail - ABC- Oct 2004
external_link Missing walkers found after night spent camping - Sep 2004
external_link Qld girl rescued from Larapinta Trail
 
 
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