Table of Contents
The Sydney Bushwalker.
Established June 1931.
A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, Box 4476 G.P.O., Sydney, 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.45 pm at the Cahill Community Centre (Upper Hall), 34 Falcon Street, Crow's Nest.
Editor | Ainslie Morris, 45 Austin Street, Lane Cove, 2066. Telephone 428 3178. |
Business Manager | Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, 2118. Telephone 871 1207. |
Production Manager | Helen Gray. |
Typist | Kath Brown. |
Printers | Phil Butt, Barry Wallace, Morag Ryder, Fran Longfoot. |
February, 1986
In This Issue:
Page | ||
Page The Hon. Bob Carr Supports a State Wilderness Act | Alex Colley | 2 |
Jim Somerville, A.M. | Alex Colley | 3 |
Six Brothers - The Second Colo River Trip | Ainslie Morris | 4 |
New Members | 5 | |
Yerranderie 1898 to 1905 | Geoff Grace | 7 |
What Now? Series on First Aid | Ainslie Morris | 9 |
What's Biting You?!! - Leeches | Geoff McIntosh | 10 |
Report on the Committee Meeting of 5/2/86 | 13 | |
Public Meeting - Friday 7 March - “Forestry & Woodchipping” | The Hon. J. C. Kerin, Ministry for Primary Industry | 13 |
What Now? First Aid Answers | 15 | |
Coolana Re-Union & Swimming Carnival 15-16 March | 16 |
Advertisements:
Page | |
Belvedere Taxis, Blackheath | 5 |
Eastwood Camping Centre | 6 |
Canoe & Camping, Gladesville | 14 |
The Hon. Bob Carr Supports A State Wilderness Act.
by Alex Colley.
It was most appropriate that the Hon. Bob Carr M.P., Minister for Planning and Environment and a bushwalker, should have made his talk to the Sydney Bush Walkers on Wednesday 22nd January the occasion of the announcement of his support for a State Wilderness Act. The S.B.W., as Mr. Carr said in his opening remarks, were the first to adopt the wilderness conservation ideals inspired by Myles Dunphy and the Mountain Trails Club. (In those days wilderness was described as a “primitive area”. Myles worked for the preservation of major natural areas in a series of national parks which included most of our present national parks system. The Helman report in 1976 delineated 20 wilderness areas covering a little over 1% of the eastern portion of the State.) Mr. Carr's proposal would cover 29 wilderness remnants aggregating some 7% of the State. About half of this area is outside the national parks system. The Act would enable the protection of wilderness, whatever its current status.
The proposal for a State Wilderness Act was made to Mr. Carr at a meeting with the Colong Committee on March 8th last year. He then appointed a working committee of environmentalists and public servants to develop guidelines for wilderness legislation. The report is now near completion and will probably go to the Premier by the end of February.
At the S.B.W. meeting he defined wilderness as a large tract of country with its land, waters, native plants and animal communities not substantially modified by humans. The means of preserving wilderness are described in the Wilderness Management Policy of the National Parks & Wildlife Service (published in the September issue of the Sydney Bushwalker). This policy is substantially in accord with that of the bushwalking movement.
In support of his proposal Mr. Carr said - “I don't think it is unreasonable, as we approach the 200th year of European settlement, to seek to preserve a small part of the State essentially as it was when Europeans first stepped onto our shores. This is a responsibility that falls on this generation. In the next century the European forests will have been destroyed by acid rain; the rainforests of South-East Asia will have been logged and great areas of Africa turned into desert. Even Antarctica will be touched by pollution. Wilderness areas will be precious to a degree we cannot now conceive. Australia has a chance to conserve more than perhaps any other nation.”
The inclusion of wilderness areas in the national parks system is essential for their preservation. About half the areas are now within parks. The next step is to zone them as wilderness in park management plans. All park areas having wilderness management are now being reviewed, and the programme is to declare not less than three areas per year. Another means of protecting wilderness would be to add a provision to the State Constitution requiring a referendum before any wilderness zoning could be revoked. Probably the most practical means of preservation is a State Wilderness Act, because the annulment of such an act would provoke public outcry, but, as Mr. Carr made plain, the only real means of preserving wilderness is a majority of conservationists in the legislature. Mr. Carr did not extol the virtues of his Government in the conservation field. He simply read ten quotations of statements by National and Liberal leaders and parliamentarians declaring the intention of the Coalition to “review” the boundaries of national parks and permit logging within them. It was also the intention of the Opposition to transfer national parks from the Conservation portfolio to that of Resources. This would mean that they would be under the control of Mr. Matt Singleton M.P., an opponent of rainforest and other park system extensions.
Mr. Carr referred to the cancellation by President Reagan of the gains in wilderness conservation introduced by President Carter as an example of the results of the accession to power of anti-conservationist legislators.
Other subjects covered by Mr. Carr included the control of off-road vehicle use, regional environmental plans, the ski-tube, the control of pests, and national parks in the west.
The Off-Road Vehicles Act allows local government and land owners to declare land off bounds to off-road vehicles and the Government has power to control vehicles in national parks, but, as bushwalkers well know, excluding them from any area is not easy, particularly in view of the lack of resources available to the N.P.W.S. It is intended to make special areas available for ORV use (as recommended by the SPCC).
Regional environmental plans have been prepared for Kosciusko and north coastal areas, the aim being to preserve the natural features, not only of the parks, but of the countryside. Public support of the plans is sought. Mr. Carr supported the construction of the ski tube. It was the aim of the Government to preserve the snow country, so that it would be the same in a hundred years as now. The ski tube would enable the provision of overnight accommodation outside the park and thereby provide for the forecasted great increase in the use of the snowfields without creating further roading, car park extension and pollution problems.
The problem of control of feral animals and weeds in parks was difficult in view of the lack of resources. As an instance, it was estimated that there could be 100,000 pigs in Kosciusko Park.
Mr. Carr said that the western areas were under-represented in the parks system. An example of this was the Bulloo Wilderness of 881,000 ha east of Sturt, which he described as “a classic arid habitat of salt bush and flood plain”.
Nature conservationists in this state are fortunate in having dedicated conservationists such as Mr. Wran, the late Paul Landa, and now Bob Carr adopting their cause. As Mr. Carr pointed out, the area of national parks has been doubled since the present Government took office. One third of the coastline is now in national parks, and our system is rated by the I.U.C.N. as one of the five best in the world. However, development interests opposed to conservation are both wealthy and influential. Only determined action to win more supporters and parliamentarians to our side will secure these gains against those who hope to exploit our wilderness remnants.
Jim Somerville, A.M.
by Alex Colley.
Another bushwalker, Jim Somerville, an ex-member of the Coast & Mountain Walkers, has been honoured for “service to conservation”. He has been made a Member of the Order of Australia.
Jim was a member of the Colong Committee from its inception in 1968, and took a leading part in the Colong and Boyd campaigns, being Chairman of the Committee from 1972 to 1975. When Colong and the Boyd were saved, he threw himself into the rainforest campaign and his research on alternative timber supplies and his tenacity may well have been the deciding factor in saving the rainforests.
Soon after his retirement, after 30 years as accountant to Qantas, he was appointed, in 1977, as a Commissioner of the State Pollution Control Commission and continued in that office till last year. He has been treasurer of the Nature Conservation Council of N.S.W. since 1977, and is honorary auditor for the Total Environment Centre and other conservation organisations. For 38 years, until 1981, he was a member of the Heathcote National Park Advisory Committee.
Congratulations, Jim, on your thoroughly earned honour.
Six Brothers.
by Ainslie Morris.
The Second Colo River Trip led by Don Finch 15,16,17 November 1985.
The gathering in the pub at Windsor near the bridge over the Nepean consisted of a few innocents and several wise men and women. Or were we any the wiser after the first Colo River trip classified by Don as “medium”? I'd have called that 50 km upstream from Pass 6 to Glen Davis “hard”. This weekend going downstream was to show me why those bludgers coming down from Glen Davis called it only “medium”.
The bushwalker's maxim - down is easier than up - definitely applies to the Colo River, that is, once you actually get down into it. Having descended precipitately down Pass 5½, I was interested to see what Pass 6 really had to offer. But first we had to get to it.
Friday night saw our group of cars move on to the Six Brothers 1:25000 map and pull off the Putty Road to park at map reference 808191 in order the better to savour the comfort of warmth and dryness as the rain storm dropped the lot outside. As the torrential downpour eased a fraction, our leader had us out in order to demonstrate the ephemeral nature of dryness. While some took the vehicles round onto the Grassy Hill fire trail for our return to Sydney, Carol Bruce led us off along the Culoul Range fire trail. It was dark and wet, so we just shut our eyes and walked on, dreaming of the insides of cars.
Soon the leader and drivers caught us up, and a few kilometres were covered until we, and what was left of our leader, decided to camp. As tents and flies were put up the mossies took shelter from the rain, and we snatched a few hours sleep. Saturday morning dawned absolutely beautiful and the sun shone all day and on Sunday, only letting up on Saturday night, which was mossie-free on the Colo.
To get on to Pass 6, turn off to the left just before Hollow Rock where the firetrail takes a sharp dogleg turn at 724229. Push straight into dense scrub; do not be deterred at the lack of track. You will pick up a clear ridge to the southwest; follow this for 1 km. At the end is a low cliff-line and good view of the two valleys both left and right which lead to the Colo River at 708219. We took the right tributary after an easy scramble down and morning tea by a small pool. The last descent is steep, and can involve going left along the ledge above the river, back right and over a log, then a short chimney down. We then waterproofed our packs and took our first plunge in to cross a pool below an attractive cascade. We were down.
The river this year had plenty of water in it, so the cascades were roaring and tumbling and foamy white, and the pools were full and deep. Last year at the same time the river was low and we waded ankle deep, only to suddenly sink thigh deep in quicksand at the ends of firm sand spits. This year several of us soon found that the way to really see the Colo is to let the river carry you. Carol, Wendy Aliano and I were the stayers often joined by Rick King and Barrie Murdoch whose packs had no waist straps and so made it harder to rest back on them in the water.
So we drifted down, not at all cold, and keeping direction by using our legs like paddle wheels and hand-sculling steadily. At the cascades we checked the rocks and force of the water, and it was either a walkaround or a “Here she goes!” It was great. Then another long drift in a pool, either chatting or quietly contemplating the fantastic cliffs above. Sculpted into half-caves like seashells, overhangs twisted out in curlicues, the cliffs rose in apricot and peach creams and pinks and orange hues all the way up their two hundred metre heights. Oh, glorious wilderness!
Boorai Creek offered clean fresh water and a wide sandy beach opposite for a campsite. We swam, sunbathed, and dried off wet sleeping bags. Silly me did not tie up my canyon bag properly. A campfire and yarning under the stars, and a good rest for a fairly hard day on the morrow.
Again we cascaded down, while most of the party boulder-scrambled along the sides, some frequently recrossing the river to gain easier going. We did a total of 12 km of river from Pass 6, and took the Canoe Creek exit at 741138 on the Colo Heights 1:25000 map. I had spent seven hours in the water; and to think on Friday night I didn't like water! Horizontal water, however, has its charms, and the Colo is most spectacular in this section, rewarding the effort of getting in and out of it.
New Members.
Please add the following names to your List of Members:-
- Arnott, Wendy, 55 Braeside Street, Wahroonga, 2076. Phone 48 3146.
- Lovell, Narelle, 11/6 Kynaston Avenue, Randwick, 2031. Phone 398 7962.
- McIntosh, David, 40/2-6 Abbott Street, Coogee, 2034. Phone 665 0109.
- West, David, 4/20 Sheehy Street, Glebe, 2037. Phone 692 8603.
Belvedere Taxis Blackheath.
10 seater mini bus taxi. 041-87 8366.
Kanagra Boyd. Upper Blue Mountains. Six Foot Track.
Pick up anywhere for start or finish of your walk - by prior arrangement.
Share the fare - competitive rates.
Eastwood Camping Centre.
Bushwalkers.
Lightweight Tents - Sleeping Bags - Rucksacks - Climbing & Caving Gear - Maps - Clothing - Boots - Food.
Camping equipment.
Large Tents - Stoves - Lamps - Folding Furniture.
Distributors of:
Paddymade - Karrimor - Berghaus - Hallmark - Bergans - Caribee - Fairydown - Silva - Primus - Companion - and all leading brands.
Proprietors: Jack & Nancy Fox. Sales Manager: David Fox.
Eastwood Canvas Good & Camping Supplies.
3 Trelawney St., Eastwood, NSW, 2122. Phone 858 2775.
Yerranderie 1898 To 1905.
by Geoff Grace.
Following the November Sydney Bushwalker in which a walk incorporating Yerranderie was reported, it seems timely to offer the following information describing the early years of mining at Yerranderie Field. It comes from a very old journal about mining in NSW.
Yerranderie Field.
Known twenty years ago, it was not till the late nineties that the Yerranderie field was first practically exploited. The field is only 42 miles by rail and 41 miles by road from Sydney, but it is that 41 miles of road that has so long stood in the way of advancement. Waggon and railway freights in getting the ore to the smelters total some four pounds per ton of ore, and how great a handicap that has been need not be insisted upon. The country is one of small lodes, but if small, they are rich, and there is no reason to suppose that they are not permanent. The yield of the mines of the field for the past six years is as follows :-
Year | Ore raised and sold Tons | Gold Oz. | Silver Oz. | Lead Tons | Nett Value Received Pounds |
1900 | 616 | 101 | 58,527 | 118 | 9,125 |
1901 | 952 | 174 | 86,017 | 125 | 11,000 |
1902 | 1,553 | 306 | 146,018 | 229 | 18,373 |
1903 | 1,293 | 308 | 145,275 | 217 | 18,304 |
1904 | 3,733 | 550 | 263,621 | 448 | 32,068 |
1905 | 3,527 | 707 | 243,403 | 451 | 37,599 |
TOTAL | 11,674 | 2,146 | 942,861 | 1,588 | 126,469 |
Colon Peaks.
The first considerable mine on the field was Bartlett's, which is now the property of the Colon Peaks Silver Mining Co.N.L. The outcrop of a lode was found in a gully, and Mr. Bartlett (formerly a Government road superintendent) took up the land under an authority to enter in February, 1898. He retained all interests in the area, and the lode, although averaging less than two feet, and dwindling away in places to an inch, has proved payable throughout, while occasionally rich shoots of ore, yielding several hundred ounces of silver to the ton, have been encountered. The company that is now in possession of the property holds leases of 135 acres, giving a length of more than 70 chains along the line of lode. The bulk of the shares are held by Mr. Bartlett, and Mr. Bartlett jun. is the mine manager. The plant includes a powerful boiler and double winding engine, and an air compressor working two rock drills. A concentrating plant for the treatment of the second grade ore, of which there is a considerable quantity at grass, is in course of erection.
Yerranderie.
The Yerranderie is not only the principal mine on the field, but one of the most profitable little mining properties in the State. The story of the event that led up to its development is an extraordinary one, and is thus told:- Mr. T.J. Hilder was keeping an hotel in Picton in 1899, and hearing of Mr. Bartlett's luck, arranged with his brother-in-law, Mr. C.S. Dobson, a dairy farmer, to go to the field and prospect it. Mr. Hilder started off in a cart, and after an adventurous trip reached Yerranderie in three days. The community was then a small one. The new-comer - he has told the story often himself - approached one of the few, and told him he had taken up a piece of ground while in Picton, and wanted to know how to go about prospecting it. “You have to find an outcrop first,” the older hand replied. “Can you show me one?” said Mr.Hilder. “No, but theres Chiddy over there; if you give him ten bob I think he'll be able to do it.” A bargain was struck with Chiddy on those terms, and the green prospector was taken to a gully some distance North-East of Bartlett's shaft, and there shown a reef projecting just above the surface. From that load six hundred thousand pounds worth of ore has been taken in six years, and Mr. Hilder is the manager of the mine in which it occurs. In 1901 the Yerranderie Silver Mining No Liability was formed with a nominal capital of ten thousand pounds in one pound shares, five thousand of which were issued as paid up to the vendors. The remainder paid up to ten shillings were taken up principally by the vendors themselves and a call of two and sixpence was made on them. That six hundred and twenty five pounds was all the capital put into the company; and up to date 21 dividends for an aggregate sum of six thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds have been paid, additions to the plant to the extent of fully three thousand pounds have been made, and a reserve of two thousand pounds at fixed deposit has been accumulated.
All this has been done out of a lode not more than three feet through in its thickest part, and varying to a few inches. The average width may be about a foot. Today the shaft is down 630 feet, following the course of the underlay at an angle of about 29 degrees. From the 100 feet level to the bottom there are levels at every 50 feet, and the longest drive along the course of the lode is 1050 feet. Where there is a change in the ore at the extremeties of the shaft or the levels it is generally for the better. Last year the ore despatched to Cockle Creek for treatment - it was picked first grade stuff - yielded a nett return of ten pounds one shilling and six pence per ton, and the average metal contents for the mine have been 100 ozs silver, 17 % lead, and from 4 dwt to 5 dwt gold. In 1904 about 1700 tons of second grade ore from the mine were sent to Cockle Creek, and averaged 40 or 50 ounces of silver per ton, returning a profit of over one pound per ton. A new contract has been made with the Sulphide Corporation.
The company has an area of 80 acres, with 600 yards along the line of lode, which is parallel to Bartlett's, but about a quarter of a mile to the north. This lode has been traced for about two miles east, passing through the property of the Burragorang Silver Mining Co.N.L. on which little has yet been done.
Contributed by Geoff Grace.
What Now?
Series on First Aid.
by Ainslie Morris.
This article describes a situation which rarely occurs (and so far has never occurred on an S.B.W. walk - touch wood!). It is, however, a life-threatening situation and the most up-to-date treatment is directed by continuing research.
Situation 6:
A member of the party returns to the campfire and says something has bitten the calf area of the leg.
Place: On a creek bank 5 km from a firetrail, level but rough.
Symptoms: Nothing for an hour, then complained of headache and feeling “sick”. Pain develops in the chest, and diarrhoea.
Signs: Scratches on calf area with red swelling. Person looks sweaty and faint, and has difficulty breathing after one hour. Vomiting then starts.
Note: The danger is that he/she may have gone to bed soon after being bitten, and not get up to complain of sickness. It is best to treat seriously any complaint of being bitten. Symptoms may occur from about 15 minutes to 2 hours after being bitten. Don't wait for all the symptoms to appear - treat immediately.
What is your -
(1) Immediate action?
(2) Assessment of bite?
(3) Treatment of Bite? Treatment of casualty?
(4) Further action?
For answers turn to page 15.
Notice Of Annual First Aid Course.
Weekend: Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd March, l986.
Cost: $39 for St. John Ambulance Basic First Aid Certificate or upgrading.
Place: Police Rescue Headquarters, Marrickville.
Instructor: Grace Matts.
Bookings: Ainslie Morris - 428 3178.
Cheque payable to St. John Ambulance. Sent to: Ainslie Morris, 45 Austin Street, Lane Cove, 2066.
What's Biting You?!! - Leeches.
by Geoff McIntosh.
We all know how attractive we bushwalkers are to the Jawed Scrub Leech (Limnobdella australia) which frequents the Sydney area, however few of us know a great deal about it. Here is some more information based, by a layman, mainly on what appears to be the latest book on the subject - “Leeches (Hirudinea)” by K. H. Mann (1962).
The Jawed Scrub Leech ranges in colour from the most common general dark colour with pale yellow ochre longitudinal (G.T.) stripes to yellow ochre with dark stripes.
Leeches are invertebrates which are related to segmented worms. They like a damp environment, such as rainforest gullies, which enables their anterior and posterior suckers to operate effectively in feeding and locomotion.
The leech detects your presence:
1. By the use of its 5 pairs of eyes (which point in various directions and are thought to give a crude impression of form and movement). Refer to sketch 1.
2. By the use of its many segmental receptors (thought to be light sensitive and capable of detecting shadows). Refer to sketch 2.
3. By the use of fine sensory hairs distributed all over its body (which feel your presence by touch and by temperature sensing. Leeches will attach themselves to an object warmed to 33-35C).
4. By the use of chemoreceptors on its head (which smell and taste you).
The leeches on Jim Brown's walk of 10th November last used these sensors very efficiently before dropping on to stationary walkers apparently from stunted trees on the Cliff Track in Royal National Park.
Its habit of standing erect on its posterior sucker and swaying around helps it to locate you more efficiently. It is said to be an un-nerving sight to be in a hut where leeches are crowing the doorway and swaying around but unwilling to traverse the dry dusty floor to get your blood.
Once the leech attaches to you with both suckers, it pours saliva on to your skin through the anterior sucker. (This saliva contains a local anaesthetic and an anti-coagulin.) The leech then pushes its 3 jaws (see sketch 5) forward into the cavity of the anterior sucker and on to your skin. Each jaw is like half a circular saw with very fine teeth and is rocked back and forth. The 3 jaws make a Y-shaped incision (see sketch 6). The leech uses its pharynx to pump the blood into the crop and the expandable pouches where it is digested by resident bacteria. The anti-coagulin mixes with the blood and prevents the forming of clots in the gut which would immobilise the leech. The leech may have only one or two meals each year and can consume between 2 and 5 times its own weight of blood.
The Jawed Scrub Leech is an hermaphrodite having both a muscular eversible penis served by 10 pairs of testes (there may be one pair more or less - how virile can you get?), and a muscular vagina (refer sketches 2 and 4). It is possible for two leeches to fertilize each other during one head-to-tail copulation. Self fertilization is made impossible by the position of the sexual organs. Between one and 9 months after fertilization, the eggs are deposited in a cocoon which is formed on the clitellar region of the body of the leech as follows:-
1. Glands in the clitellar region secrete the cocoon wall material in the form of a tube (Refer sketch 7).
2. The leech rotates its body about its longitudinal axis to smooth the inner surface of the tube and to expand it into a lemon shape (Refer sketch 8).
3. Glands in the clitellar region pass an albuminous nutritive fluid into the cocoon and at the same time a number of fertilized eggs are passed from the vagina into the albuminous fluid.
4. The leech then slowly withdraws its head end from the cocoon (Refer to sketch 9), sealing off the ends of the cocoon as it does so, with plugs produced by glands in the anterior sucker.
5. At this stage, the cocoon is a soft, translucent and colourless bag which is abandoned by its “mother”(?). Refer to sketch 10.
6. In a few days, the cocoon becomes dark brown, hard and almost opaque. The young emerge as mini-clones of their parents.
Leech Repellants.
Some favourite repellants are:-
(1) Detergent (sox soaked in same).
(2) Aerosol sprays (but washed off by rain and creeks).
(3) “Rid” Repellant cream.
Leech Removers.
Salt or heat.
Leech Bite Treatment.
Apply an antiseptic.
Report On The Committee Meeting Of 5/2/86.
Bill Hall will be offered Honorary Active Membership, as he has been a member since 1936 and is still leading test walks and is on walks regularly.
The Committee is writing to the N.S.W. Premier in support of the Wilderness Legislation, conservation of wetlands, and regional environment conservation planning proposals. Members may also wish to write.
The Treasurer will need to consider means of payment of the Personal Accident Insurance.
Four new members were welcomed with tea/coffee and biscuits and met the Committee members as well as each other.
Many other matters were also discussed, and a further committee meeting is to be held on 10/2/86 to consider proposed alterations to the Constitution.
Public Meeting - Friday, 7 March '86 at 7.15 pm.
The Hon. J.C. Kerin, Minister for Primary Industry, discusses the issues “Forestry & Woodchipping; Soil & Water Conservation; etc”.
He will answer questions from -
Mr. Jeff Angel Assistant Director, Total Environment Centre
Dr. Dick Mason State President, National Parks Association
Dr. Fred Bell Senior Lecturer, Physical Geography, U.N.S.W. and from the audience.
Place: Merewether Building (Sydney University) Cnr. CityRoad & Butlin Ave.
Cost: Admission $3.00, concession $2.00.
Inquiries: Australian Conservation Foundation, Phone 665 2869 or 27 4285.
Canoe & Camping.
265 Victoria Road, Gladesville, 2111. Phone (02) 817 5590. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-6, Thurs. 9-8, Sat. 9-4. (Parking at rear off Pittwater Road).
A large range of lightweight, quality, bushwalking & camping gear:
- Lightweight food for backpackers and canoeists
- Cold weather protection clothing and raingear
- Maps, books and leaflets
- Information service for canoeists and walkers
- Knives
- Compasses
- Survival gear
We stock the largest range of canoeing gear in N.S.W.
Quality touring craft of all types. High quality, performance competition craft.
- A huge range of paddles for all types of canoeing
- Wetsuits
- Surf skis
- All types of spray covers
- Wide range of jackets & cags
- Face masks
- Footwear
- Many types of buoyancy & life vests
- Helmets
What Now? First Aid Answers.
by Ainslie Morris.
Situation 6.
(1) Immediate Action:
- Ask the casualty to lie down (on a foamy or thermorest) and keep as still as possible. Rest head on low pillow.
- Reassure the casualty - a strong emotional reaction is normal.
- Immediately apply a pressure immobilisation bandage over the bitten area and around limb.
See details below.
(2) Assessment:
Snake bite - more definitely if you can see 2 puncture marks about 1 cm apart. Possibly spider bite - funnel webs have given fatal bites in the bush outside the Sydney area; symptoms include intense pain at the site of the bite.
See St. John “Australian First Aid” p.302-4.
Also check for Shock and treat (St. John, chapter 6).
(3) Treatment:
DRABC
D - Danger to self and bystanders (beware of snakes!).
R - Response to voice and touch - conscious? No - then;-
A - Airway clear and open (tilt head back).
B - Breathing - look, listen, feel. Yes - place in coma position if unconscious. No - Start E A R - 5 quick breaths, then:
C - Circulation - check neck pulse - Yes- continue E A R. No - do C P R.
E A R? C P R? You don't know these life-saving techniques? Then you need to attend a First Aid Course to learn, practise, or revise the skills. Study the St. John book, pages 17-19, then Chapter 2, part 3.
Next, the pressure immodiblisation bandage.
You will need your elasticised roll-on bandage, plus those of other members of the party. So - always carry one. Ask someone to find a smooth stick for a splint.
As you apply the bandage, ask someone else to carefully watch the casualty's breathing and pulse. Also ask someone, preferably two people, to go for medical assistance by calling the Club's S. & R. or any other emergency help.
So - How many people should be in your party? At least…
Apply bandage firmly but do not restrict the flow of blood. (Do not “tourniquet”).
Bandage from the bite to the toes, then up to the groin.
Place a splint along the bandaged limb, then tie splint to limb, you can use tights or shirts. Leave bandage and splint in place.
Never wash the venom off - it will be used later to identify the snake. Do not try and kill the snake. Anti-venom is available for all Australian snakes.
Never cut the bite.
Never suck the bite.
Never use a constrictive bandage - it can cause death to the limb and unnecessary amputation.
Coolana Re-Union & Swimming Carnival.
15-16 March 1986.
Experience beautiful river scenery as you camp on the club's property 'Coolana' on the Kangaroo River.
Savour the delights of Spiro's world-famous culinary delights and Greek coffee!
Witness all manner of strange rituals as the new S.B.W. president is inaugurated!
Enjoy the rehearsed and impromptu campfire skits on Saturday night.
Compete in the hilarious damper-making contest (clean fingernails please!) or the swimming carnival races and fun events.
Meet scores of members, past members, prospectives, visitors, guests, and even a few people.
Come down any time during Saturday. Plan to stay in tents, although there's a hut if the weather gets really foul. It's five minutes walk down from the cars to the terraced campsites.
The Saturday night bonfire heralds eating, singing, drinking, skits, eating, initiation rites, drinking and fun.
The Sunday swimming carnival includes both novelty and serious events, and you get a chance to have your name engraved on the historic Mandelburg Cup, a silver billy covered with names from swimming carnivals since 1930!
If you need assistance with transport arrangements, ring George Gray on 86-6263.
How to get there: The quickest way is to drive through Mittagong to Kangaroo Valley. After crossing the Kangaroo River, turn right into Tallowa Dam Road. Coolana is down a signposted dirt track which leads off to the right from the Tallowa Dam Road, about 100 metres after the Mount Scanzi Road branches off to the left.
Social Notes.
With the Committee meeting on the Wednesday 5th and the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 12th there are only two evenings left in March for social activity.
On Wednesday 19th. March, Bill Pearson from The Nature Care School of Remedial Therapies will present an evening on “Remedial Massage”. Many of you will remember Bill's excellent presentation last year. This will follow-on from that evening. You are welcome to participate; bring along a towel and a foam or something soft to lie on. Otherwise, come along, listen to Bill and watch as we apply his techniques.
The following Wednesday, 26th March is just before Easter. Many of you will be finalising your Easter walks. So come along, and finalise, drink a cup of coffee and have a chat.
Programme:
- Mar 5 Committee Meeting
- Mar 12 Annual General Meeting
- Mar 19* Remedial Massage (Bill Pearson - Nature Care)
- Mar 26 Easter walks preparation
* Dinner before the meeting at “Curry Bazaar” 6-30pm. 334 Pacific Highway. Crows Nest.