by Overlandman » Sun 25 Oct, 2015 9:41 am
From ABC
Bushwalkers in Tasmania have been urged carry an emergency beacon with them when heading into the state's wilderness areas, after a man spent two nights lost in bushland before being rescued yesterday.
Xavier Lane-Mullins called police from his mobile phone on Thursday from the peak of Mount Anne near Maydena in southern Tasmania.
He told police he was lost and his mobile phone's battery was running out.
When he emerged from the bush, police were expecting someone rather dishevelled but he was actually in good health and good spirits.
Tasmania Police acting Inspector Andrew Bennett
The 37-year-old was picked up on Saturday by volunteers who were driving out to join the search effort.
He has been examined by paramedics and was in good health.
Tasmania Police acting Inspector Andrew Bennett said beacons such as the EPIRB give rescuers more specific information.
"A mobile phone you can only communicate with us, an EPIRB will tell us where you are," he said.
"If you are just taking a mobile phone, make sure you have it switched off and only use it when you need it.
"In this case the phone was obviously on and draining its battery and it didn't have much charge by the time he needed to contact us."
Acting Inspector Andrew Bennett said an over-reliance on mobile phones could cause problems
Police also urged hikers to tell friends and family where they were planning to walk, and to make sure they familiarised themselves with the area before setting off.
Acting Inspector Andrew Bennett said Mr Lane-Mullins was very lucky considering the cold and icy conditions he endured during the night.
"When he emerged from the bush, police were expecting someone rather dishevelled but he was actually in good health and good spirits and initially they thought he was just another volunteer," he said
Whatever, Wherever, Whenever