LandSAR plea in wake of national park deaths

In the wake of the two recent fatalities in Mt Aspiring National Park, national volunteer search and rescue organisation LandSAR New Zealand is urging trampers, hunters and climbers going into the back country this summer to do all they can to help rescuers find them in an emergency.

LandSAR New Zealand released a statement yesterday reminding people how small things could make a huge difference to the ability of search teams to find a lost or injured person, after Alexandra hunter Matthew John Laing (23) fell to his death in the West Matukituki Valley at the weekend and Wellington tramper Michael Gillard Taylor (60) was found dead on January 1, after a fall on Mt Twilight.

LandSAR New Zealand chairman Phillip Melchior reminded those entering back country areas to follow the "basic, common-sense" guidelines of the Mountain Safety Council's outdoor safety code: plan your trip; tell someone your plans; watch the weather; know your limits; and take enough supplies.

"But beyond that, there are simple steps that people can take to make themselves easier to find."

Brightly coloured clothing and packs made a big difference.

"Many searches, at least in the first phase, will use helicopters. If you're injured but can get something bright where it can be seen from the air, that's a massive help."

Wanaka police SAR co-ordinator Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said Mr Laing had been dressed "head to toe" in camouflage gear, which had meant he "blended in to the environment really well", making it difficult for searchers to find him.

Searches by helicopter were increasingly being used and night-vision equipment could pick up a light source like a head torch or a camera flash from several kilometres away, even in bush country, Mr Melchior said.

"If you're lost, and you hear a helicopter going backwards and forwards, assume they're looking for you, and get some light going.

Even matches can help."

Sgt Nicholson agreed searching at night was "10 times more effective" than searching during the day, if the missing person had a light source, which could also include watches, cellphones, GPS screens and reflective clothing.

Mr Melchior said, because cellphones rarely got reception in South Island back country, satellite phones were an excellent backup. As an alternative, personal locator beacons (PLBs) were becoming increasingly affordable, could be easily hired for a weekend and saved lives by allowing injured climbers and trampers to be rescued much more quickly than previously possible.

Sgt Nicholson said a PLB would probably not have changed the outcome in Mr Laing's case, as police believed he died in a fall on Saturday morning and a search was not launched until he was reported overdue on Sunday evening.