The Wanneroo/Joondalup SES have been running survival courses for a few years now and we learn a few lessons on each one.  The main lesson from last year was not to return to Grey as it had little food and no water.  The lesson this year was to know where the local Regional Hospital is located but more of that later. 

The format is usually three Wednesday nights training followed by a weekend away putting the knowledge into use.  This year was no different and the practical venue was located at Lucky Bay between Geraldton and Kalbarri.  Training manuals were provided on CD with the PowerPoint presentation for training being included.  Eventually a total of nine people attended the three-day practical component comprising of two instructors and seven students.  In the past we have been generous with the amount of equipment allowed but not so this year.  On the first night we stipulated only a small Tobacco tin would be allowed however you can fill it with anything you like.

An advance party of two left Perth on Friday to look at a few different sites on the way to Lucky Bay in case these were closer and of equal value, however they all were unsuitable.  The main party was to leave at 0400 hrs on 23/09/2005 however only five had arrived by the appointed time.  The first mistake of the day for the students was made before leaving the unit.  Two ducks flew into the yard and our not yet hungry students fed them bread instead of looking at them as food.  We left the unit at 0407 hrs still minus two people but with a warm fuzzy feeling knowing the ducks were well fed.  We received a frantic call at 0437 hrs from the two missing people saying all the alarm clocks had failed but they will drive up and meet us at site.

The drive up was rather uneventful with just a short stop for fuel at the 440 Roadhouse just north of Geraldton.  We carried out some GPS training on the way into the campsite, which showed the pitfall of only having a grid reference with no map.  Following the course indicated we ended up one sand dune east so had to backtrack to find the correct spot.  After finally arriving everyone quickly learnt the importance of always carrying their Survival Kit as a few were locked into the vehicle thus rendering them unusable. 

The first task was to set water catchment bags on trees then start building shelter for the night.  Those who attended last year remembered how cold it was and ensured no gaps were left for the wind to enter.  It was decided to make one large humpy and use the collective body heat to keep it warm.  This was a good idea as the students were informed only three blankets were available to share that night, as the sleeping bags had been lost.  The final creation was very well built complete with a sliding front door made with some tin scavenged from the surrounding bush.
 

The wind was putting on a mighty show so there was absolutely no chance of catching any fish so other food sources were investigated.  Some berries were found close to camp so some volunteers were sought to test them for eating.  It appeared that the new members were very good at being volunteered, as they were easily replaceable should something go wrong.  We also provided some rabbit traps in case they could find a suitable place to be set.  We were able to find out around mid afternoon the fate of our two missing people, apparently they were surviving quite well with the credit card in Kalbarri while watching the AFL Grand final.  As it was getting late they would try and find us tomorrow.

As night came and the temperature started to drop the fire was started and dinner that for most consisted of a stock cube and water heated over the fire followed by a cup of tea or coffee.  It would appear that the jokes hadn’t improved much from the last time we were away.  Scott kept us entertained playing a game that had us travelling around the universe going to parties.  The parties started off pretty tame, as we weren’t originally allowed to bring girls or drinks however this changed once we worked out the elusive rule.  As we sat around the fire the temperature continued to drop so we relented and handed out the sleeping bags, it was very cosy with everyone in the humpy.

The next morning found the wind almost totally gone and the rabbit trap empty so it was down to the reef for a bit of fishing.  Remembering that personal hygiene is always important I had a wash with plenty of my water before we left.  This had the desired effect as everyone else was out of water.  We told them about the well later in the day which didn’t impress them.  This is a great area for fishing as a rock ledge goes from the shore out to sea so it has all sorts of edible food on it.  Fresh oysters for breakfast is always a nice way to start the day.  After raiding my Tobacco tin and setting up a fishing line I started to fish one of the many deep holes and surprisingly had success on my second cast.  I landed a nice looking Cod of some sort so started showing one of the other guys (a newbie) close to me in the hope that he would start fishing as well.  While I was waving the fish in the air he started waving to me with his very bloody hand.  I wandered over only to discover his hand had slipped down his knife while trying to prise and Oyster open.  After consulting with our resident first aid expert it was decided stitches were the way to go.  We went to Geraldton Regional Hospital and after waiting six hours and being seen by the triage nurse the doctor decided we only needed a couple of band-aides and a dressing.  The poor victim was dubbed “Jed” from the Beverley Hillbillies and taken back to camp.  While at the hospital we managed to give directions to the missing people and they went back to camp.

By the time we got back to camp my fish had been eaten but they did leave a few rock crabs and “Boobies” for us to eat.  We don’t know what the real name for “boobies” is but they are a small conical shell creature, which taste very nice and make great bait.  Since no other food had been found the dinner was once again stock cube and a cuppa.  By now the tea bags were becoming very second hand as they were being reused several times.  The temperature was starting to drop so we retired around the fire for more entertainment courtesy of Scott.

Monday morning and another beautiful start to the day.  Checked the rabbit trap again but still empty so retrieved it and returned to camp.  We made two dampers for breakfast this year as the first was offered up to the gods a sacrificial burnt offering.  We were quickly packed up and on the road home, as it is a long drive back especially on a long weekend.  Our first real food in three days was purchased at the 440 Roadhouse then back to the unit to clean the vehicles.

 I think a good time was had by all and as usual Dave Brennen has already started thinking of ways to make next years more challenging.