Safety

Tasmania’s wilderness is a rough and wild place, even on short easy walks unprepared walkers can get themselves in all sorts of trouble. Plan thoroughly and walk safely.

Plan ahead

    • Research your walk:
      Choose a walk that is suitable for your experience and fitness level. Study route guides and maps carefully, pre-planning time allowances. We recommend looking beyond tastrails.com for additional information; Parks and Wildlife often have official documents for walks within National Parks.
    • Check the weather:
      Check the weather and plan accordingly. Always take suitable clothing and equipment.  For walks in high altitudes, always plan for extreme weather, even in summer months high winds and snow are possibilities.
    • Let someone else know:
      It is vital that someone else knows your walking plans. Leave details of what walk you are doing, when you are leaving and when you expect to return.  Make sure they know what to do if you fail to return. Be sure to let them know you have returned safely too!
    • Pack accordingly:
      Understand your walk and pack the right equipment. Packing correctly can be the difference between a great time and a terrible time. It is just as important not to over-pack, carrying too much unnecessary equipment will become a burden.

 

While walking

    • Use logbooks:
      Recording your walk intentions in the trail head or campsite log books can be a life safer if you end up lost or injured.
    •  Avoid walking alone:
      Whenever possible avoid walking alone, especially in remote wilderness areas. A personal locator beacon should be used when walking in remote areas.
    •  Personal Locator Beacons (EPIRBs) should be used when venturing on longer wilderness walks. These can be hired from Service Tasmania on a weekly basis at $40 per week.
    • Wear good walking boots with gaiters to avoid snake bites

 

 

Tasmanian Copperhead Snake
Tasmanian Copperhead Snake

Snake Bites

Tasmania is home to the Tiger Snake, Copperhead and White-lipped Whip Snake, all of which are venomous. Care must be taken to avoid interactions with these snakes.

Precautions:

    • When bushwalking wear good walking boots with gaiters
    • Avoid walking through reeds or long grass where possible
    • DO NOT try to handle or kill snakes

First Aid:

    • Stay calm and call 000. Fear can quickly lead to shock which makes the situation more dangerous.
    • Bandage the area of the bite immediately with a wide, firm bandage and cover as much of the surrounding area as possible. This should not be so tight that the blood supply is cut off. If the bandage hurts it is too tight.
    • Immobilise the bitten area, if the bite is on a limb use a splint to secure it.
    • Keep the injured person still. Do not let the person walk. Bring help to the person or carry the person to help.
    • Stay calm. The poison spreads faster if the heart beats faster.

What not to do:

    • Do not wait to see if the bite causes any problems, always treat it straight away.
    • Do not cut, wash or suck the bite.
    • Do not try to catch the snake. All snake bites in Tasmania are treated with the same antivenene.
    • Don’t let the bitten person walk.