Journey Management

1
03/96

Committed to
Safety
Journey Management Background A recent fatal
incident shows that Journey Management is not
used by everyone. In the incident, a driver on a
private journey became lost during a sandstorm
and his vehicle broke down. He had not filed a
journey management plan. He tried to attract
attention by burning two car seats and writing
HELP! in large letters on the ground. He stayed
with the vehicle for more than 24 hours. He left
the vehicle and tragically his body was later
found in the sand after extensive air and land
searches. Recommendations to prevent
recurrence Journey Management Plans must be used
by PDO, contractors and sub-contractors for
travelling in the interior. Use the new PDO
System. It lays out plans for travel, rest
breaks and sets in place a method for initiating
searches. The system also requires that adequate
supplies and emergency equipment are on board
before the journey begins. Should you not arrive
at your destination, search and rescue teams will
be alerted early if a Journey Management Plan is
filed. Learning Points The desert is dangerous.
The sun is intense, there is no water, and often
there is no one to help should you need it. It
is easy to get lost in a sandstorm. They happen
often. Be prepared. Use PDO's Journey
Management System, even for private journeys.
Check the vehicle and bring at least 10 litres of
water for each person travelling. If you become
lost, stay with your vehicle. The vehicle
provides shelter and is more easily spotted by
search and rescue teams.