Missing prospector WA

Another missing prospector that has not been seen since Monday, in the Webb's Patch area out from Cue WA, I have not heard any more about it since the news last night.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/search-mounted-for-wa-prospector-missing-in-scorching-conditions-20180109-h0fvo9.html

au-fever

Not good news at all. Under the extremely harsh weather conditions this time of year, I can only hope they find the man soon.

Kon.

IMHO, people who get themselves lost out there who are not carrying a PLB ( EPIRB ) should foot the bill for their rescue.
My wife and I both carry a GME MT410G, they are only $300 delivered, and are GPS enabled, meaning authorities know within an hour exactly where you are, which will save enormous amounts of resources should you happen to get bushwacked. EPIRB's are mandatory to go to sea with, perhaps it's about time it was mandatory to carry one when you go bush !

However, you should also set up your smart phone with a simple program called HandyGPS ( available from the app store ). The free version lets you save 2 points, the $5 paid version gives you unlimited find / way points. Very simple to use.
With this, you SHOULD NOT get lost in the first place !

Rick

St It

adrian ss wrote:Ya gotta be alive  concious and with usable arms n legs to be able to use them.....Get trampled by a cranky camel or fall down a mine shaft and it's stiff chedder

That's stating the bleedin obvious !

However, I don't know of anyone ever getting trampled by a camel, let alone to the point that you couldn't set off an EPIRB. And you should not fall down a mineshaft unless you are standing on the edge peering in, which is your own bloody fault !

Rick

Well said !

ST It.

adrian ss wrote:Footing the rescue bill just because you didn't have a PLb or got lost  for whatever reason is a tad harsh is all I was  trying to say in a sarcastic manner.
A lot of good bushmen have got themselves lost over the years and there are a hell of a lot of reasons why and when a PLb etc could be as useless as tits on a bull.
As for the "You shouldn't get lost in the first place". Well maybe you think it can not happen to you because you are too clever and bush smart with tons of survival skills...........Good luck with those thoughts mates.

Adrian,

I think you might be missing the point here !
Also not quite sure how you came to the conclusion that " there are a hell of a lot of reasons why and when a PLb etc could be as useless as tits on a bull. " ?????????


People, ( including myself ), may get lost, ( or break down away from cell phone reception ), or have a heart attack etc, but having a PLB will alert the authorities straight away to exactly where you are. This saves massive amounts of resources having to be launched, which is a huge expense to the taxpayer.
If you have had a heart attack and you are dead, well it's all a moot point ! However if you have actually survived that heart attack but can't walk, set off the PLB and the authorities are going to find you very quickly, as opposed to not even knowing there is an emergency of some sort !

People are happy to spend tens of thousands on a 4WD, camping and detecting equipment, but seem to baulk at the thought of spending $300 on a PLB that is viable for 7 years ???!!! These PLB's are life savers, as well as resource savers. This is why they are now mandatory on sea going vessels.
Everyone that goes remote should have one !

Rick

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/regional/prospector-justin-davies-missing-near-cue-ng-b88710070z


They found him dead.

Although we know not the evidence that surrounds his death & most likely are not to know till the coroners findings are made official, it's a very sad case indeed. My condolences to his family & friends.

Kon

Yes Kon & members,
A very sad outcome and our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.

Maybe now it is time to stop and revise our goldfields travel plans?
As AraratGold has mentioned the cost of an EPIRB is minimal if faced with a disaster in our unforgiving land.
Have mentioned it in times gone by, if you own a boat it is mandatory to carry a EPIRB, few people realise that you can register ONE EPIRB in WA for both land & sea. (Don't let the sales outlets fool you into buying two.)
As AraratG has mentioned the batteries last 7 years however you have to renew registration every two years. (Online FREE)

Going detecting at night in summer in WA
Is very risky business and anything can go wrong especially in unfamiliar Territory, as detecting at night makes the surroundings look very different.
Snakes are active on a warm Sumner's night and so are a lot of other insects and animals.

A very sad out come indeed and we also send our sincere condolences to his family and Freinds.

Regards.

Mike.

Tragic to say the least regardless of his experience or lack thereof, which seems to vary with news reports as usual, I am tending to agree with the idea of compulsory PLB, yes it is another cost but what is one worth when you really need one, my condolences to his family and friends, stay safe out there diggers.

Wayne.

My condolences to Justin Davies family and friends, its a sad thing to have someone pass early in tragic circumstances, and there always remains the unanswered questions surrounding the tragedy, why when and how, answers will come in time but it will be a long road to recovery for his family.

Unfortunately its a timely reminder to us all and a time to think and evaluate what we do ourselves as many of us take chances and don't always do the right thing, sometimes its due to our familiarity with the bush and that we can get over comfortable and confident in our abilities, and as many of us are on the wrong side of 50 we could also have underlying health issues thrown into the equation as well that we should really be considering when we go bush, I know myself that I am a lot less tolerant to the heat and its effects than I was ten years ago even, so we have to learn to pace ourselves, and in reality we should not be venturing out at this time of year as its only takes a few days and your definitely not at your best with the heat and lack of proper sleep its very easy to become dehydrated and not recognise the symptoms until its too late.

Yes I definitely agree to carrying a PLB but even if you have one you need to activate it the moment you realise your in trouble as leaving it to the last minute may still be too late for you, another bit of advice I would give is to never go bush alone, and sit and discuss your activities with your fellow prospectors, formulate a plan of action, cover things like what time are you all going to be in camp, make sure you all carry hand held radios to keep in contact at all times, and a gps that you know how to use effectively, lastly carry water and never leave camp without it.

au-fever