Tips For Driving Cross Country

"The unbelievable tips for driving cross country are such a great help for 'regular' folks like myself!"

The free useful tips for driving cross country provided here will hopefully make your journey safer and easier. The outback of Australia can be harsh and if you are driving in remote areas you should take a number of precautions.

Before leaving the beaten track, notify the local police or property owners of your journey and ask about conditions on your intended route. If you have a well prepared vehicle, a supply of tools and spare parts, some mechanical knowledge (or at least a workshop manual) and sufficient food and water for at least 14 days, there is only a slim chance of running into trouble.

Do not assume that a road indicates habitation. It could lead to an abandoned homestead or geological survey site.

Note these tips for driving cross country do not only apply to us in Australia, they are appropriate everywhere.

Tips for driving cross country if your car breaks down in a hot, dry region:

• Stay with the vehicle and do not panic. If you must leave the car, attach a note to the steering wheel stating your proposed route. Move at night when it is cool and mark your route clearly as you go so you can be followed or find your way back easily.
• Ration your food and water supplies. Keep them cool under the car, scraping a shallow hole to place them in.
• Cover as much of your body as possible with light clothing; this reduces perspiration.
• Rest to conserve energy. Do strenuous jobs only at night.
• Make a sunshade from a tarpaulin or blanket strung from the south side of the car. Stay in shade.
• Make a solar still if water supplies are low.
• Identify the closest high ground. Remove you car's rear-view mirror to use for signalling, and prepare appropriate air search signals.

These THREE USEFUL KNOTS are also good tips for driving cross country.

Hitching knot. Use to secure rope to a post, tree or ground anchor. Easy to undo.

Sheepshank. Use to temporarily shorten a length of rope without cutting it.

Bowline. A non-slip knot often used at sea. To make this type of knot, pass a portion of rope through the loop.

To find north, point the 12 symbol on your clock or watch face towards the sun. North lies mid-way between the hour hand and the 12

If you have a digital watch, make a sketch of an analogue watch face and draw the time on it, leaving off the minute hand. Use the sketch in the same manner as a conventional watch to locate north.

MAKING A SOLAR STILL

A solar still can produce up to 2 litres of water a day which is further tips for driving cross country in an emergency.

To make one you will need a mug or can and a sheet of plastic about 2m square. Dig a hole about 500mm deep and 1m across. Put the mug in the base of the hole and pack green leaves around it. Stretch the plastic over the hole, securing it by piling soil all around the edge. Place a stone on the plastic above the mug. Construct the still before sunrise and check it at midday. Make at least one still per person and repack each at least once daily. If you have purification tablets, dissolve them in the distilled water before drinking it.

OTHER SOURCES OF WATER

Water can also be found in apparently dry creek beds. Where plants are growing, there is sure to be water beneath the surface. Find the lowest part of the creek bed and dig a hole in the sand. The hold need be no larger than 100mm across. A can or mug is suitable for digging.

Do not forget the water in the radiator (provided it does not contain rust inhibitor) and in the windscreen washer reservoir (if it does not contain detergent). Also you can wipe the dew from rocks, leaves and your car before sunrise. Sipping a little water often is safer than taking large gulps at long intervals.

AIR SEARCH SIGNALS

Construct signals on high land using fabric, rocks or logs which contrast in colour with the ground Signals must be at least 3m in size. These are the recognised codes:

K - indicate the direction to proceed

| - serious injuries, send doctor

|| - send medical supplies

X - unable to proceed

F - need food and water

<-- - travelling in this direction

/ - should be safe to land here

L - need fuel

LL - all well

N - no

Y - yes ("A" can also be used - affirmitive)

JL - not understood

The pilot will rock the plane's wings from side to side or flash a green light if your message has been understood. If the pilot makes a right-hand circle or flashes a red light, this means the message is seen but not understood.

If you have any of your own tips for driving cross country please feel free to contact us and with your permission we will add them here.

Hopefully you will never need these tips for driving cross country and of course if all this camping sounds like to much hard work, you could always book with us and we will take this hassle away from you! Contact Us here RELATED INFORMATION :