Our committee has been working hard to ensure the safety of our members and we would like to thank Colleen Barclay for organising the recent First Aid Course for our club.
The following is written by Peter Aubourg who has set out the following information about calling 000 if the leader thinks it is necessary.
Illawarra Ramblers
Notes for 000 Emergency
First Aid
A number of Ramblers have completed a first aid course. During an emergency, skills learned could keep someone alive until Paramedics / Ambulance arrives. However, the first aiders are amateurs, so the sooner we get professional help either on the phone or in person, the better it is for the patient.
Why Not Call 000 ?
As members of Illawarra Ramblers, you are affiliated with Bushwalking NSW. As such, you will have personal insurance if you are walking, canoeing or cycling. There is an exception for e-bikes riders who need to be members of Bicycle NSW to have personal insurance. Both insurances include ambulance cover. Leaders have a duty-of-care to all participants on their activity, and so they WILL call 000 when they think it necessary.
Calling 000 – Emergency Plus App
The most effective way to talk to emergency services AND give them your exact location, is to use the Emergency Plus App.
Downloading – – Emergency Plus App
This app has been developed by Australia’s Emergency Services, to make it easier to tell the 000 operator your exact location, even if you are not in a suburban area.
The app is free and available to download on iPhone and Android, with this icon.
Mobile Reception
Calls to 000 are automatically diverted to the Telstra mobile network, no matter what carrier you are using. If you are using another carrier and you do not have reception, the chances are, you will have reception with Telstra for 000. (For example, on the 2025 VIC High Country Tour, of the over 300km of rides, less than 2km do not have Telstra 4G reception)
Using the Emergency Plus App
Open the app immediately during an emergency.
Calling 000
Once the app is opened, Press the 000 button on the screen. You will be connected to the operator.
Tell the Operator your location –
(The operator cannot see your location, you must read it to them from your screen)
Street Address
If you are in a suburban area, read out the street address to the operator.
Latitude and Longitude
If you are away from a suburban area, you can read out the latitude and longitude to the operator.
What3Words Address
Alternatively, you can read out the “What3 Words” , shown above in this case as giggling.respectable.reunify What3Words is a system that divides the planet up into 3metre x 3 metre squares. Each square is named using a unique combination of 3 words. It is easy to communicate verbally. The three simple words can be spoken, with minimum chance of errors.
– July-2025 –