Dumb Ways to Die While Bushwalking

[whynotwalk]

I was quite taken by the animation "Dumb Ways to Die" (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJNR2EpS0jw). I got to thinking there are some pretty dumb ways for bushwalkers to die too. Not being much of an animator - and being a little short of time - I've just come up with a quick list of "11 Dumb Ways to Die While Bushwalking."

Here's a link to the full version. http://www.naturescribe.com/2014/08/11-dumb-ways-to-die-while-bushwalking.html but the short version is:

1. Don’t take a map

2. Don’t carry a tent

3. Ignore weather warnings

4. Wear denim or cotton clothes

5. Start late in the day

6. Don’t take a PLB

7. Split up from your group

8. When you’re lost, just keep walking

9. Don’t leave your trip plans with anyone

10. Cross that flooded creek no matter what!

11. Never underestimate your abilities

I know there are more. What would you add to the list?

cheers

Peter

[walkerchris77]

Ha. Funny stuff.

Pitching your tent (the one you sleep in not the other) on a bullants nest would be slow and painfull.

[GPPJ]

"While we're here.. lets explore this cave/mine/crevice/SMA installation...etc."

[perfectlydark]

Nice
I guess things like chasing snakes as they run away, cross flooded streams with no plan or support, go abseiling with paracord etc might fit the bill

[GPSGuided]

Wearing thongs on mountain walks

[jjoz58]

It's only a grass snake!

[jjoz58]

Camping in a creek bed.

[jjoz58]

Taking your wife camping!

[walkerchris77]

Wearing thongs on mountain walks

Were you thinking if this intelligent life form

Attachments

[wayno]

in NZ the local press have lauded a young man for completing a solo walk around the coast of NZ
video footage of his walk shows him taking some pretty reckless risks. the press havent applied any informed analysis of what he has done apart from saying he nearly died on a couple of occasions... he needed rescuing as well. I'm amazed he completed the trip unscathed the way he was going about it. and now he wants to start his own survival TV show...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/artic ... d=11313692

[Lindsay]

I'm probably being pedantic here, and can see what the OP is getting at, however I think that starting late in the day is not necessarily a problem. Occasionally I have started walking after work, and have set my first night goal accordingly.

[GBW]

Food poisoning or drinking untreated water.

[icefest]

Not checking for food allergies with co-walkers; or not mentioning any of yours.

I also like to know if any people I walk with have have potentially deadly medical condition and what their treatment is (and where they put the medicine, so I can give it to them if they are otherwise occupied).

Taking your wife camping!

Really dude?

Even if this is a tongue in cheek joke, it's hardly appropriate.

[GPSGuided]

Were you thinking if this intelligent life form

Yes, one that we have discussed here previously.

[Chris-a]

Carrying insufficient or no drinking water.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[GPSGuided]

Now, are there non-stupid modes of death associated with bushwalking?

[Strider]

Now, are there non-stupid modes of death associated with bushwalking?

Heart attack

[GPSGuided]

Heart attack

Shouldn't have gone for that final push to the summit without that bottle of Anginine tablets! :O

[Nuts]

Taking your wife camping!

What.. like, at the same time as your girlfriend haha.

I don't think there are smart ways to die while bushwalking?

Some years ago I read a SAS/SBS survival guide, not sure if it was an official version or not but had a quirky chapter about living a long life, the basic premis is in not taking unnecessary risk.
Simple things like walking wide around a city corner, choosing the (slightly) safer seating on a plane. Travel is very risky, unfamiliar situations and surroundings introduce risk.

Bushwalking as a hobby (I do know people who bushwalk to or as a part of work and never otherwise bother) is risk filled. Subtle risks but death as an outcome doesn't get much worse
For most, being a hobby, in this context maybe 'unnecessary' = 'dumb'?

[Avid Hiker38]

Taking a Selfie next to a cliff

[Dolerite Walker]

Poor preparation...

[Gadgetgeek]

Nuts, that sounds very much like the mindset of Jon "lofty" Wiseman. He seems to be a "been there done that" kind of guy, but he could not be more opposite than Bear. he is all about caution, planning, and making the smartest decisions you can. Life has risk, you are right, but even in the bush we can control and plan for very many of them. I would say probably even more than in an urban area.

[bailz66]

I won't need a waterproof jacket this trip
Thermals? I don't want to carry those it adds weight to my pack
I wont worry about water on this side trip I will get some on the way back
I can make that jump
Its just a blister, she'll be right

[GPSGuided]

* Forgetting to take a step back, a deep breath and think for a minute.

[Hallu]

Hehe, but if you think about it, John Muir would scale mountains with no proper gear and crackers in his pockets, and hammered nailed in his wooden soles for walking on snow. Granted, in the 19th century he could drink the water of any stream with no problem. What I mean is, most of these aren't necessary on day walks. Maybe a couple of % of bushwalkers carry a PLB ? Also, there's nothing wrong with a cotton T-shirt... In wet weather, merino starts chafing, while cotton doesn't, and is warmer than synthetic. The essentials are map, food & water, rain gear, and a first aid kit. Also, Australia is lucky to have properly built and maintained walking tracks. Even in mountainous Tasmania, it's pretty rare to have a narrow track where one wrong step = death, or you have ladders/ropes/chains. In the French Alps, it can be absolutely crazy (like this : http://www.tetras.org/Chartreuse/06_11_ ... e_Est.html or this : http://www.tetras.org/Chartreuse/07_07_Sangle_V.html ), and I think on 2/3 of the walks I do there is a short moment like that. And you won't find a single warning sign.

[perfectlydark]

not being narky, but most of these would at best make an uncomfortable trip, not necessarily fatal.

[Nuts]

Nuts, that sounds very much like the mindset of Jon "lofty" Wiseman. He seems to be a "been there done that" kind of guy, but he could not be more opposite than Bear. he is all about caution, planning, and making the smartest decisions you can. Life has risk, you are right, but even in the bush we can control and plan for very many of them. I would say probably even more than in an urban area.

I think I prefer Lofty, might find the book again, been reminded of some of the thoughts now and then.
Very rare that the environment is a killer in the city but life has risk, yes, and i'd agree a different set of risk but perhaps equal or more common in the city.
A common-sense thing yes, the same people vulnerable at home are more vulnerable anywhere? Iv'e never really related to the escapist/outdoor.. /'need' thing but i'm thinking there are all sorts of levels of what is a risk, individually. Obviously all sorts of levels of the risks people think acceptable for (what they see as) an interesting.. even if not lengthy.. life

Perhaps dumb doesn't = unnecessary risk... 'necessary' being this undefinable, fluid thing.. but what then does it mean in this situation. Just related to WNW's set of values maybe?
(the decision to go bushwalking having already been made)

[Moondog55]

Any way of dieing except from old age and in bed is dumb, but not enjoying the time we have is dumber. Candidates for the Darwin Awards notwithstanding the bush isn't that dangerous outside of snow or desert if you are reasonably careful.

[Allchin09]

Also, Australia is lucky to have properly built and maintained walking tracks. Even in mountainous Tasmania, it's pretty rare to have a narrow track where one wrong step = death, or you have ladders/ropes/chains. In the French Alps, it can be absolutely crazy (like this : http://www.tetras.org/Chartreuse/06_11_ ... e_Est.html or this : http://www.tetras.org/Chartreuse/07_07_Sangle_V.html ), and I think on 2/3 of the walks I do there is a short moment like that. And you won't find a single warning sign.

Plenty of spots like that over hear - you have to go find them though! http://fatcanyoners.org/2013/05/04/ledging-mt-banks/

[icefest]

Also, Australia is lucky to have properly built and maintained walking tracks. Even in mountainous Tasmania, it's pretty rare to have a narrow track where one wrong step = death, or you have ladders/ropes/chains. In the French Alps, it can be absolutely crazy (like this : http://www.tetras.org/Chartreuse/06_11_ ... e_Est.html or this : http://www.tetras.org/Chartreuse/07_07_Sangle_V.html ), and I think on 2/3 of the walks I do there is a short moment like that. And you won't find a single warning sign.

Plenty of spots like that over hear - you have to go find them though! http://fatcanyoners.org/2013/05/04/ledging-mt-banks/

Franklands, mt anne, the WA's have places like this, but they are few and far between.