last updated 15Apr26

Multi-day Trip Emergency Information and Communications

 (Garmin terminology used)

Thanks to Garry B, the Canberra Bushwalking Club’s Training and Safety Officer for this strategy.

1 Walk Members

List all party members – Name, Mobile number, Email, Emergency device carried, Emergency contact Name, Emergency contact Mobile number, Emergency contact Email.

Note: After the communication protocol has been defined, test it.

2 Emergency Devices Carried

List party members with Type of Emergency Device carried, Emergency contact.

3 Authorities/Land Managers

List Police numbers – emergency and non-emergency, hours of operation

List Land Managers – contact, hours of operation.

4 Normal Communications

  1. A daily inReach pre-set sms message will be sent by Walk leader to all walkers’ emergency contacts normally in the evening between 6-9pm.
  2. The pre-set messages or similar will be as follows and contain a location link. Clicking on the link will bring up a map in Garmin Explore showing location:
    1. We have started the walk, click on link for location.
    2. We have camped for the night, all fit and well. Click on link for location.
    3. We have finished the walk. Click on link for location.
  3. Walk leader’s Emergency contact to respond to received messages to confirm message received.
  4. Additional messages may be sent as necessary.
  5. All party members may also send private messages to their contacts.
  6. If a daily message is not received, wait a few hours or until the following day for a message. There may have been communications problems due to location (e.g. inReach device not connecting with a satellite), device problems (battery or device failure) or Walk leader has forgotten to send a message.

If after waiting a day or more and no message is received, proceed to Emergency Communications instructions para 5.

5 Emergency Communications

  1. In the unlikely event of an emergency, one of the inReach device’s SOS function will be activated. If a PLB is carried, it may also be activated which assures to the authorities that it is a real emergency (not an inadvertent activation).
    1. The inReach SOS function initially connects with the Garmin Response Centre in Texas USA. After confirming with the device activator that it is a real emergency via the messaging function, they will pass the emergency information to the authorities (e.g. AMSA in Australia). Garmin will call, message or email the device registered emergency contact that they have received an emergency notification.
    2. Activation of a PLB immediately notifies Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) via satellite of an emergency and the location. As the PLB is registered in Australia, AMSA will notify the overseas authority of the emergency. Note that no messaging function is provided with PLBs, so they have no information regarding the type of emergency.
    3. AMSA or the overseas authority may contact the emergency contacts, and will pass emergency information to overseas Police for local search and rescue operations. Overseas Police will most likely contact the emergency contacts for further walk information.
  2. If you are contacted by Garmin, AMSA or the overseas authorities, please contact the other partners to advise that an emergency notification has been received.
  3. The relevant authorities will most likely contact the emergency contact for further information regarding walk details and provide updates of any operations.
  4. In highly unlikely case where all inReach devices are not functioning or unavailable, then only the PLB will be activated.
  5. If the daily message has not been received and after waiting a day or more and no message from the Walk leader still has not been received:
    1. Contact the other inReach Emergency contacts to check whether or not a message has been received.
    2. If no message has been received, and if considered necessary, contact the appropriate authorities and follow their instructions. They will most likely require all of the walk details.

Note: This protocol has been successfully used on several CBC multi-day trips,

Example

Fred, Joe and Harriet are heading to New Zealand for some adventurous tramping.

Walk Members

Name

Mobile

(See Note)

Email

inReach or PLB

Emergency Contact

Mobile

Email

Fred Bloggs

+61123456789

fredbloggs@gmail.com

fredbloggs@inreach.garmin.com

Mary Bloggs (spouse)

+61987654321

maryb@outlook.com

Joe Smith

+61111222333

jsmith@yahoo.com

PLB registered with Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)

Helen Turner (partner)

+61333222111

handj@gmail.com

Harriet Jones

+61444555666

harrietj@bigpond.com

harrietj@inreach.garmin.com

Judy Small (aunty)

+61666555444

jsmall@gmail.com

Note: Mobile numbers – these may not work in NZ as depend upon international roaming setup for each number. Members will be mainly relying upon WiFi calling or via Messenger, WhatsApp for VoIP calling, when within public or accommodation WiFi access. Communication when on walks will be via inReach devices.

Emergency Devices Carried (3 in total)

Fred – inReach 67i emergency contact set to Mary Bloggs
Joe – Person Locator Beacon (PLB) emergency contact set to Helen Turner
Harriet – inReach Mini 2 emergency contact set to Judy Small.

NZ Authorities/Land Managers

NZ Policing

Calling from Australia – non-emergencies +64 49 105 105 (may incur international toll charges) or 105.police.govt.nz. For immediate emergencies, you must contact local Australian authorities (000) who can liaise with NZ police.
Calling from within NZ – non-urgent 105, emergencies 111.

Department of Conservation NZ – General enquiries: +64 800 275 362 or email at info@doc.govt.nz

Normal Communications

  1. A daily InReach pre-set sms message will be sent by Fred to Mary, Helen and Judy normally in the evening between 6-9pm.
  2. The pre-set messages or similar will be as follows and contain a location link. Clicking on the link will bring up a map in Garmin Explore showing location:
    1. We have started the walk, click on link for location.
    2. We have camped for the night, all fit and well. Click on link for location.
    3. We have finished the walk. Click on link for location.
  3. Mary to respond to received messages to confirm message received.
  4. Additional messages may be sent as necessary.
  5. Fred and Hariet may also send private messages to their partners.
  6. If a daily message is not received, wait a few hours or the following day for a message. There may have been communications problems due to location (e.g. inReach device not connecting with a satellite), device problems (battery or device failure) or Fred has forgotten to send a message.

If after waiting a day or more and no message is received, proceed to Emergency Communications instructions.

Emergency Communications

  1. In the unlikely event of an emergency, one of the inReach device’s SOS function will be activated. If a PLB is carried, it may also be activated which assures to the authorities that it is a real emergency (not an inadvertent activation).
    1. The inReach SOS function initially connects with the Garmin Response Centre in Texas USA. After confirming with the device activator that it is a real emergency via the messaging function, they will pass the emergency information to the authorities (e.g. AMSA in Australia). Garmin will call, message or email the device registered emergency contact that they have received an emergency notification.
    2. Activation of a PLB immediately notifies Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) via satellite of an emergency and the location. As the PLB is registered in Australia, AMSA will notify the overseas authority of the emergency. Note that no messaging function is provided with PLBs, so they have no information regarding the type of emergency.
    3. AMSA or the overseas authority may contact the emergency contacts, and will pass emergency information to overseas Police for local search and rescue operations. Overseas Police will most likely contact the emergency contacts for further walk information.
  2. If you are contacted by Garmin, AMSA or the overseas authorities, please contact the other partners to advise that an emergency notification has been received.
  3. The relevant authorities will most likely contact the emergency contact for further information regarding walk details and provide updates of any operations.
  4. In highly unlikely case where all inReach devices are not functioning or unavailable, then only the PLB will be activated.
  5. If the daily message has not been received and after waiting a day or more and no message from the Walk leader still has not been received:
    1. Contact the other inReach Emergency contacts to check whether or not a message has been received.
    2. If no message has been received, and if considered necessary, contact the appropriate authorities and follow their instructions. They will most likely require all of the walk details.