Dangerous Australia
Australia is a tourist paradise boasting beautiful beaches, scenic natural wonders and a race of friendly, helpful people. However, this harsh and dangerous terrain can sometimes bite. Statistically, almost four hundred tourists die in Australia each year – this is only 0.01% of the 400 000 tourists who visit these shores each year, but with a bit of education, these deaths could be avoided.
A large portion of these deaths occur on the road, with tourists who find it difficult to drive on a different side of the road. Practice makes perfect, so before you tackle a big country drive, practice by driving around quiet suburban streets. You can also reminder leave notes for yourself on the driver’s side of the car.
Despite what you may have read in the papers, the chances of being abducted by a Wolf Creek-esque psychopath in the middle of the Outback are incredibly low. This doesn’t mean that the Outback can’t be a dangerous place. Large stretches of inner Australia are completely uninhabited, which means that if you break down, you’ve either got a very long walk or a very long wait.
An American comedian once joked that you should always carry a map with you in Australia because you can’t ask for directions if there’s no one around. All jokes aside, this is actually good advice.
When travelling through less populous areas of Australia, you should always carry the vitals – detailed maps (your GPS may not work in certain areas), a good supply of water and, if you can, a CB radio, as your mobile phone will not receive reception in more rural areas. You should always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be there – if you don’t know anyone, you can register your details with rural police stations along the way.
Make sure your car is in good condition before you drive through the Outback. If the unfortunate does happen and you break down, it’s best to wait in the car with the air conditioning on.
Heatstroke is a serious condition and the biggest killer of tourists over the age of fifty. During the hot summer months, temperatures in Australia can top 50 degree Celsius (or 122 degrees Fahrenheit) in some parts of the country. To keep cool and safe, drink plenty of water, wear loose fitting clothes in natural fibres and try to remain in the shade or in air conditioned buildings as much as possible. Signs of heat stroke include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and dizziness. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should get yourself to a hospital as soon as possible.
The effects of the sun are another danger. Australia has the highest rate of death caused by skin cancer in the world. Skin cancer is caused by ultra violet rays from the sun, which can still sting you on cloudy days. The famous Australian advertising jingle encourages patrons to slip, slop, slap – slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. If you are planning on spending a lot of time in the sun, such as a day at the beach, you should wear sunglasses that cover your entire eye (the wraparound style are good) and try to remain in the shade as much as possible.
If you are employed to work outdoors in Australia, your employer is lawfully required to provide you with adequate sun protection. You may also claim items such as sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat on tax.
Useful tips
- Never, ever dive into an unknown body of water. You could cause yourself serious harm if the water is too shallow or if there are rocks hidden beneath the water’s surface.
- Don’t camp out in dry creek beds. Believe it or not, flash flooding can happen in an instant in the Outback.
- When driving at night, look out for animals crossing the road. As well as the obvious conservation concerns, some of the sturdier animals, such as kangaroos and wombats, can cause serious damage to your car and can also cause car crashes.
- The long stretches of Australian highway can be murder on your eyes. Driver Reviver stalls are located all over Australia, and offer free tea and coffee. Take advantage of these when you are feeling tired.
