Kylie+Johnston+Bushwalking

 **What is Bushwalking?** Bushwalking is an Australian activity. You may also know it by a different name such as hiking, tramping, hill walking, rambling or trekking. Bushwalking covers a wide spectrum of walking experiences in natural or green areas of the world. A bushwalk might be a walk along a trail through urban parks or forests near where you live.

 **Why Bushwalk in Australia?** Australia is fortunate to have many large national parks which preserve scenic and rugged areas in their natural states. Even the largest city, Sydney, is surrounded by huge areas of national park.

**What to take Bushwalking?** Since the weather can change rapidly, protection from rain and cold is essential, even though the walk may have started in glorious sun shine and a clear blue sky’s it could end in heavy rain and thunderstorms or vies versa.

= **Equipment for a day walk:** = Backpack: to carry your belongings Water: Avoid dehydration Food: high energy to keep you going Personal medication: (eg Ventolin) Personal first aid kit: If something unexpected happens Rain coat with hood: In case it rains and to keep yourself dry and prevent yourself getting sick. Warm jumper with hand warming pockets: Keeping warm is important, avoiding hyperthermia Gloves: To keep your hands warm Scarf: To keep your neck warm <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Hat: Protection from sun and rain <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Watch: (not your best could get scratched/ destroyed) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sunscreen: prevention of sun burn <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">﻿Insect repellent: Protects you from being bitten by bugs <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Medicare card: (in case of accident) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Maps and compass: so you know where you are going and don’t get lost <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Emergency contact numbers

<span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**If also staying for the night add this to the list:**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sleeping bag <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sleeping mat <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Torch and spare batteries <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Water proof matches <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Personal hygiene items (Eg. Toothbrush, mirror, comb, tissues, toilet paper)

<span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**Optional items:**

<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Communications (radio or mobile phone) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Camera <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Binoculars <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Swimming costume <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Small hand towel <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Closed cell foam mat to sit on <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sun glasses <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">lollies and snacks <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">High energy snack bars <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Plastic shopping bag to carry out any rubbish.

<span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> **Who can Bush walk?** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The good thing about Bushwalking is that everybody can do it. You can go with your family, with friends, as a couple or even by yourself but it could get a bit boring if you went alone. If you decide to Bush walk alone you should have a plan where you are going ahead of time, and let someome responsible that you can trust know the details. Children can also come along on this activity. Their are also many places that are suitable for the disabled.

<span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> **Good times of the year to go Bushwalking:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The best time of the year to go Bushwalking in Australia is spring when the weather is a bit unpredictable and the flowers are out and blossoming but if you are someone who doesn't really like spring and blossoming flowers another good time to go is autumn, autumn is in between summer and winter making the days just right but no flowers of course as it is autumn.

<span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**Why Bush walk?** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Bushwalking is a fun, low impact way to be active. The benefits for the mind & body are obvious, good exercise, good to get out of the house and the great thing is, bush walking is accessible for most people.

<span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**Good Australian Bushwalking locations:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**. ** Wilsons Promontory <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. Kakadu National Park <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. The Blue Mountains <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. Queensland Rain Forest <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. South West of Western Australia <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. Most of Tasmania

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">An early consideration in your trip plan is how much time you have to go walking. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Most trail times in Australia are based on steady walking of 2-3 km per hour and DO <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">NOT allow for breaks. Know the distance you are intending to walk before starting, remember to plan for breaks, view stops and lunch. Use trail notes as a guide only
 * <span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">How long are you going for? **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Occasionally, things do go wrong and people may get hurt. Making good decisions in <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> these situations will limit the severity of the situation. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1. Stop, and think <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2. Don't panic <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3. Appoint a person to administer first aid <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4. Appoint a person to take notes/reassure <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">5. Ensure first aid is administered calmly and in a reassuring manner <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">6. Establish if the injured member will need assistance or evacuation <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">7. Think about where you are and what you are to do before you call in the <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">emergency services <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">8. Call emergency services <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">9. If necessary, Send out 2 competent people, with details of incident, casualty & <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">location for help. Ensure they are carrying minimum safety gear themselves <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">10. Stay calm, look after yourself and fellow bushwalkers. Follow emergency services
 * <span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Injured? **

<span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**Lost?** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Okay, so you have gotten yourself lost…. Don't panic! There are things you can do. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 1. Stop, don't go getting more lost! (yes, it can be done) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 2. Don't panic <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 3. Begin working out where you are <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 4. Do not split up <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 5. Go to a high point with your map, compass and mobile phone (if service is available) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> and endeavor to recognize features <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 6. Can you retrace your steps? This could be a way to return to a recognizable place <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 7. Think about what you are going to do before you call in the emergency services <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 8. If still completely lost, your task changes to surviving until you are found. Help your <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> rescuers by staying together, building shelter and conserving energy <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 9. Create a signalling system with a torch, mirror or by maintaining a small fire <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> (NOT a bush fire !). But make sure its only after contacting emergency services <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 10. Use your whistle to signal for help…3 blasts for the victim, one for the rescue

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> All people enjoying wild places carry the responsibility of keeping these places as you find <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">them for the next person and for generations to come. With the ever growing number of <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">people visiting these areas, it is more important than ever to respect the bush and endeavor <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">to leave the place better than you found it.
 * <span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Environmental Considerations: **


 * <span style="background-color: #aaf5f9; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Bibliography: **

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Year 10 Outdoor Education
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