Another thing for a grab bag, a bic lighter. They almost never stop working and it is the simplest and probably most reliable way to start a fire besides a road flare.
The GO bag is a brilliant idea, mine has water, cook set, first aid, knife, fire lighting stuff for any conditions, small lightweight tent, blow up mattress and thermal sheeting and a heap of other stuff, i also have a man bag with less stuff for my home trips to the city for me is 300k one way, always be prepaid when ya live in Australia
When it comes to overlanding, I believe the grab bag is essential. Much can be learnt from Survival training and bushcraft videos here. An excellent resource is "Bush Lore Australia". (He is ex SAS with plenty of free knowledge). I would add the following items to any Grab Bag: 1) 1 x Sawyer Water Filter & 2 x Transpiration Bags, 2) 1 x Ferrocerium Rod, 3) Hoochie Tarp with some paracord, 4) 1 x 1L Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 5) 2 x Emergency Bivi Bags & Emergency Blankets, 6) 4 x Dry Food Meals, 7) A Signal Mirror and most importantly 7) A SPOT GPS Messenger and Sat Phone. In Outback Australia, YOU SHOULD NEVER LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE. Spotting a person from the air is often impossible. The SPOT device can send an emergency message with your location. On a sunny day, the signal mirror can be seen over many kilometres from the air, and help guide people to you. All the above can easily fit in a small bag. Safe travels - I hope this helps.
Not a Patreon subscriber (yet), so don't have a lot of room to complain, even though I'm a long time fan- still, I was disappointed these two videos had so much talking and so little detail. This is the same stuff in the books on the market and in your other videos... it's good, but doesn't cover the minutia of why you've made particular choices on things. AND... that's where you are brilliant and really set yourself apart, Andrew. First-aid, tire change particulars, tools for vehicle checks, spare liquids, in box/bag organization, dirty clothes, etc. We're interested in all that nitty gritty detail and it will really help spawn our own creativity and solutions. Hey, thanks for all the videos and what you've done for the overlanding community. A true champion!
Whilst on the subject of the dangers of camping in dry creek beds , there is another danger in Australia called the “widow maker “ which is when a big limb of a eucalyptus tree sometimes break off without warning ⚠️ especially after a big blow or storm and the change/ variation of temperatures in the early morning , especially inland can cause this . Iv had it happen to me and just mid me and veh as crossed a gate the limb fell and smashed the gate and would’ve knocked me as well only be 30secs.or so. ..not a breath of wind it was a very cool crisp morning frightening.. it seems nice to camp in the shade but be warned ... keep up the excellent videos.
Paul is absolutely correct about flash floods, I have personally witnessed a monster while camping in Australia. Big storm on the hills above us, then a roar that sounded like a jet engine. The noise was only five to ten seconds ahead of a wall of water 1.5 meters high. The water also contained a seemingly endless amount of rock’s that were larger than basket ball’s, everything in it’s path was demolished. The rocks continued for forty minutes before the water slowed enough to let them settle.
Putting the least necessities in a bag to grab and go, it could be life-saving in some occasions. This is very good advice. I am going to redesign for this bag stuffs
Overtime I also grew lazy with closing my Landcruiser doors while camping. It wasn't until one evening a mouse or "something" chewed foam out of one of the vents under the dash that I realised it's not a smart thing to do. My advice now is to keep them shut, be careful as any damaged wiring etc. would be hard to get to/fix. I have enjoyed your videos, keep up the good work.
We were touring a few years ago and there was a mouse plague at the time from Innaminka up north to Boulia. It was highly recommended was to raise the bonnet on arrival at camp to allow as much heat to escape as possible. The mice were drawn to the warmth and therefore wiring looms etc.
Great vid. Great tips. The bug out bag, fire extinguisher, lights, spare keys, etc., all great information. I am new to camping and Overlanding. Would definitely appreciate a chat about various bathroom choices other than digging a ditch behind a bush.
Some excellent suggestions. One quick note, 'grey water' in Oz generally refers to waste water such as that coming from showers and sinks rather than water sources. People in Australia might be inclined to disregard the comments about animal dangers as we don't have many large animals that appear to be a real threat like those in Africa and the USA. There are large animals here that can be quite a serious threat that many people don't often think about. When camping in station country there are wild cattle that often wander through campsites at night. Male kangaroos or females with joeys can be a serious threat if you surprise them in the dark, dingoes are rarely a threat but attacks have happened and children are most at risk. Many of us take the threat of snakes, spiders, scorpions and centipedes seriously but when out in the bush it is always wise to be alert to every possible danger. A well-lit campsite is generally a safer campsite.
Talking about Livesafer Jerrycans: I sold them as a dealer. They are wonderful! It was just the bad pricing politics they had that I had to drop that again (amazon sold them for under my aquaintance price...). You can get them in the UK, where they are manufactured. But one has to know that the filter has to be kept wet because else the capillar tubes will split and then not filter any longer - and you don't realize that! Second is that they will clog when you use them with very dirty water or just by quantity - so it's rcommendable to either carry a spare filter element or to prefilter very bad water. The quantity you get out of that can is not much (a cup in half a minute or so)- there is a shower kit, but you have to have a fresh filter or the bigger one of the two available (the fit on both their Jerrycans!) - but you will have to jump from drop to drop. But better than getting sick from showering or toothbrushing.
Great advice ,Make sure your grab bag has pack straps . if you have to walk any distance it makes carrying much easier . Have a leatherman tool and para cord in the pack , have a small 1st aid kit with blister (foot) and burn treatments , a few large heavy duty plastic garden rubbish bags can be used for all sorts of things , water proof paper and a sharpie felt tip pen for leaving messages , a small roll of duct tape , and apiece of fluro cloth for attracting rescuers .
Hygiene is hugely important when doing a trip like the Canning Stock Route. Make sure to use an anti-bacterial hand wash whenever you need to go and be extremely careful with food safety, etc. We had a guy in our party of 4 who came down with a bad case of gastroenteritis. When you are that isolated becoming violently ill can be a major issue. It got so bad for him we were extremely concerned for his wellbeing. It ended his trip and that of his mate he was travelling with. Luckily we were only a day away from one of the main aboriginal settlements where a nurse was present and we were able to get him on a drip.
Grab bags have been used for years in the marine environment and I have carried one for years in my vehicle, while they may carry different items in an expedition environment it is a good idea to carry one and for everyone to know where it is, and what kit is contained in it and how to use it.
Grab BAG: great idea! 👍 Being German, we always overthink stuff. I would immediately know WHAT to grab - but out wouldn't be all at the same place! My next trip will have a grab BAG: copies of docs, emergency shelter, lighter, cheap cell phone, Chlor to make drinking water. PS fire distinguisher, maybe a good idea to have 1 outside the car to grab, attached to frame (covered in plastic) ...
The "grab bag" - very good point of view. It's not only for emergency, it's also when you travel in habitated areas and you have to leave the car for...fuelling, shopping, looking around, check something, stretch you legs at a nearby beach beach etc.: there are countries where kids and teens do a sport out of ripping things out of your car - or at least you are fearing that because you can't always watch or lock all doors. A friends RV was opened while he was 20m away from it with his dog for a pee - but 3m below on a beach. These guys even closed the broken camping window firmly so he noticed the robbery only some hours later! He was very lucky he had hidden his valuables good enough. My "grab bag" is therefore a belly-bag (name?) which I can carry comfortly - it has a expandable part so I can turn it into a rucksack for a short siteviewing trip. A small head torch and a lighter is essential in my eyes, too.
Another great informative video. With modern motors the immobiliser systems are now built into the ecu. How would you go about removing it? Even if you buy the bottom of the range they still have alot of electronics to go wrong.
Seeing the “folder” at the start reminds me I have a question about shovels. I’m sure in one of your videos you talk about using a cut down shovel, and short shovels always seem to be the thing you see on 4x4s, but I have been told a long shovel is important as you need to be able to reach under the middle to the diff to dig out anything your bellied out on? Do you have a recommendation/preference either way or is it best to have both?
Please comment on the type and size of fire extinguisher you recommend. My dry chemical type failed in the one and only emergency situation where it was really needed - problem turned out to be that the powder settled and hardened (extended driving on corrugated roads?). It was an expensive unit and only about six months old.
Jimbob Jones if in doubt it should be part of vehicle preparation to shake powder fire extinguishers every so often and most people forget to do this. You need to do this at least once every week or so if you drive on such bad roadsregularly, also mounting the extinguisher horizontal helps combat the compacting effect if you don't have alternatives to standard extinguishers. Minimum 1kg is almost too small but a good start I would say.
Always mount a fire extinguisher side-ways so the movement of the vehicle or vessel does not allow the contents to settle in the bottom which is the pick up point inside the unit. And have them tested regularly. And if you can't test them then replace them. And another thing : One is not enough.
Dankie Louis, thanks Ade, that's valuable information! Of course mine was in vertically mounted and I never bothered to shake it up. Pity we don't get those (ozone destroying?) BCF types anymore - I'd prefer something "fit and forget".
I like the old chemicals....they worked....so many now gone.... Like ship hull paint, sheep dip, herbicides and pressure gases..... all changed and gone.... Safe Travels to you Sir. :-)
I carry 2 fire strykers. They are safe to use on any fire type & they don’t have any of the problems regular fire extinguishers have. www.progresspartners.com.au/products/145-fire-stryker-new-generation-flame-inhibitor
re: under vehicle fires. In addition to fire extinguishers, also carry a large hand trigger squirty bottle, approx 1 litre, set the nozzle to stream, not fine mist spray. Use this as one of the first attack under the vehicle if trapped grass or spinifex is starting to smoulder. I was informed this by someone who has conducted tag-along motorcycle tours on the Canning Stock Route. And never ignore the smell of smoke.
When I was quite young I camped on an open campsite with some friends in Serengeti. Two of us in a homemade roof tent the other two in a ground tent. Since two where guest from Sweden we, who at the time lived in Tanzania, wanted to make the night more interesting. So we decided (I know it is stupid) to put some of our leftover not barbecued meet around our camp. The meet where not grilled but marinated in local wine. That is the main reason why we did not eat it. During the night we did not heard any animal at all. When we ate breakfast we saw a baboon walking to one of the meat pieces ... he went close and smelled at it. His reaction was hilarious. He jumped a meter straight up and ran away like he was stung by a wasp. So, my conclusion is. If you do not want wildlife to disturb your night sleep put out some meat marinated in wine from Dodoma. Any animal will keep a safe distance.
Funny you should mention animals stealing things left outside. I live in the UK so everything is left outside when we camp. Until one morning I actually watched a fox running away with one of my wellington boots in its mouth. Cheers.
Most wet wipes, unless specifically mentioned don't brake down, they're made of polyester, plastic. Very useful information otherwise, got a spare key stacked somewhere as well, learned that the hard way 😂
All good information, especially the wildlife stealing your stuff. The last time I had that happen was in Florida, a raccoon stole my bait. Took everything but the squid.
Andrew, I remember seeing somewhere in one of your videos was the Fire Stick, seemed like the best thing yet! I’ve not found one for sale in Australia yet, I’ve found the US Extiguish Stick & Element Fire Stick but both don’t seem to ship to Australia, any ideas/advice? Thanks again as always. Enjoy all your work!
Sorry I can't agree on wet wipes...Not all wet wipes are bio-degradable like toilet paper (most aren't biodegradable, at least not quickly)... just see the gigantic plug of wipes and grease that they had in London last year as proof. At my fishing lakes in France, I've found these horrendous items, when not buried; years after use... Also they block the toilets, (yes we have proper toilets on site so no need to use the bushes) which cost nearly 400 € to pump out.... I've actually banned them in the rules 'No wet wipes' as they just cause too much costly and polluting damage.
and u cant burn wet wipes like u can burn toilet paper. in desert areas toilet paper blows around literally months after it was put there. the bleach in toilet paper ensures its survival. no to wet wipes unless u take them out with you but i suspect most will bury them where they are. rather use toilet paper and burn it.
Knowledge about our passion "Overlanding" needs to be shared in order to sustain the possibility to maintain our favorite activity as long as possible.Andrew and Paul do a great job in doing so.. with some small exceptions: In spite of the logistical advantage wet wipes are an environmental night mare. I would say even to a large extent bio-degradable ones. In a desert environment biodegradability is almost reduced to none. So the disgusting evidence of human presence by the kind of "number two's" is only to be avoided by burning the wipes and toilet paper. But as the name clearly says "wet" does not burn too well ! So the only way is to have them dry out and then burn them always taking good care not to set the scenery on fire.. But as Andrew and Paul often mention many choices of equipment or ways of doing things out in the sticks depend on overall conditions, geography and climate. Digging your paper and wipes under a couple of centimeters of soil or worse sand is usually uncovered after the first fierce wind and the stuff blows around and decorates the wilderness we all love and want to preserve. People often dig holes and throw bottles, cans and the like into them..animals can find them easily and dig them out only to be hurt in a near future by debris of glass and cutting edges of cans..that will stick around for years..I suggest that all we take into the wild that is not bio-degradable and/or burnable in the morning camp fire should be taken back to the nearest garbage disposal site..and in countries where they don't exist burning is in any case the best solution for plastic/wipes/wrappers/water bottles and all stuff burnable as in any case the highest level of rubbish disposal would be by burning it.The worst the slow decay in wild/savage rubbish disposal sites outside villages in the countryside..metal and glass garbage is often re-used by locals so best disposed of in towns..often petrol stations have rubbish collecting bins. I personally advice novices in the overloading field to take along a sturdy waterproof bag to store smelly, leaky or other garbage that needs taking along to be disposed of later. All the rest is burnt as the trip moves along. Happy discovery in a world whose boundaries are closing in all too rapidly so preservation, treading lightly and being an example to others is vital.
Great video as always. I'd like to see a video on the kit you carry. Like having everything laid out one the floor of your garage and going over them one by one.
not so warm like South Africa or Australia? Not clear what you are asking. These countries are hot. I've also overlanded in Europe, USA, Oman UAE and several African countries. You will find the videos on my channel.
my apologies for not being clearer, i have see some of your usa, uea. but i was thinking of northern Europe, Canada. the reason i ask is that there are different preparation one do fore those places, especially at winter time.
Hi have used these boots they are really good very comfy light hard wearing with good support but have in last few years changed to altberg desert boots I’d say are slightly better again military issue , British forces , not cheap but pair I have now are two year old and other than the sole wearing down they are in good nick and that’s with a lot of use
Toilet business... When dingos and wild dogs are around, they will dig up your business for food. To prevent bits of paper from turning up everywhere, burn it... add matches, etc, to your toilet kit. Also, Water business... You backup water MUST be in a separate storage container. Loss of your primary water storage (eg. a leak) must not affect your backup.
Howdy all, Andrew, apologies if you already know, Lifesaver water filtration products are available in Australia. Website here: www.lifesaversystems.com.au/#body No, I don't have a vested interest in the company. I just keep pausing your video and looking up all the products you both are talking about. Thanks for the great info. I'm planning a trip to Wilcannia and beyond shortly and making notes!
Not the ones I do as we are all friends from the same town I do carry a steel copy in my wallet and a third spare in the car, but 2nd spare to a friend in the group
I lost 17 rolls of undeveloped film after a 4 month solo trip around Southern Africa to a thief at Masvingo Municipal Campsite back in the 90's. The guy removed the windscreen of the car in order to get to my stuff. It took me a long while to get over this little episode. Most dangerous predators in Africa are the two legged kind IMO.
that's a discussion all its own. If I was seen setting fire to toilet paper in an Australian woodland, I could be thrown in jail for 20 years. Fires are banned for most of the year. So I don't think that burning paper should be encouraged in Australia.
Thankfully Andrew it is a method welcomed by National Parks as it leaves nothing for the roaming animals to dig up. You would never be thrown in jail for burning your loo paper in Australia, especially seeing as you burn it before filling in the hole : )
Couldnt be more wrong Glen Marshall , or at least some geographical caveats are needed for that advice.. Here in WA the penalties for lighting fires during fire bans are almost bordering on capital punishment. That is if you survive the flogging you will get from the local landholders. The last thing I would want to see in a remote location surrounded by dry bush is someone lighting a fire.
So when lighting a fire banned, setting fire to a bit of toilet paper is okay. Not possible, surely? I light the paper, the wind blows it away (accidentally), and the next thing a million hectars is destroyed. All for the sake of a small scap of paper?
Sorry guys, but maybe you both need to watch this video. If the hole is deep enough, smoldering toilet paper shouldn't blow away and you should also watch that the paper burns thoroughly and if some does blow out of the hole, the shovel is used to put it out. ruclips.net/video/G1uE6a_r7Q4/видео.html
I would think you would require multiple types of fire extinguishers 1 thing i do know whether it be Australia, USA or africa, a gun is essential no matter where you are for security and safety.. you will need to think what types or fire extinguishers you will need as well..
I LIVED THROUGH THAT MONSTER OF STUPIDITY and its fall out.. I hate to tell you this guns aren't generally used in national parks though common practice if you see animals laying half dead on the road it is an unwritten policy to dispatch its life also note: if you get bit by a snake it is common practice to kill it and take it with you to the nearest hospital so you get the right anti venom I can't see people trying to dispatch the snakes any other way.. I hate to tell keyboard warriors this there are ways abs means of getting gun l9icenses in Australia, they are a safety device..
lol have you ever faced a snake and tried to kill it with a shovel it isn't as easy as it sounds, snakes by popular myth aren't scared of human's as they are generalla top of the food chain where they live..
John Edmonds compare gun deaths in America and Australia. I know where is safer! If everyone carries a gun, then you need a bigger gun... where does it stop.
John Edmonds Correct. A fully automatic assault rifle is ESSENTIAL in Australia. A 50cal heavy machine gun can also easily be fitted to the roof to offer close ground support.
Great point. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. But get real training with family as well. not just range time. And get real medical training as well.
Another thing for a grab bag, a bic lighter. They almost never stop working and it is the simplest and probably most reliable way to start a fire besides a road flare.
The GO bag is a brilliant idea, mine has water, cook set, first aid, knife, fire lighting stuff for any conditions, small lightweight tent, blow up mattress and thermal sheeting and a heap of other stuff, i also have a man bag with less stuff for my home trips to the city for me is 300k one way, always be prepaid when ya live in Australia
When it comes to overlanding, I believe the grab bag is essential. Much can be learnt from Survival training and bushcraft videos here. An excellent resource is "Bush Lore Australia". (He is ex SAS with plenty of free knowledge).
I would add the following items to any Grab Bag:
1) 1 x Sawyer Water Filter & 2 x Transpiration Bags, 2) 1 x Ferrocerium Rod, 3) Hoochie Tarp with some paracord, 4) 1 x 1L Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 5) 2 x Emergency Bivi Bags & Emergency Blankets, 6) 4 x Dry Food Meals, 7) A Signal Mirror and most importantly 7) A SPOT GPS Messenger and Sat Phone.
In Outback Australia, YOU SHOULD NEVER LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE. Spotting a person from the air is often impossible. The SPOT device can send an emergency message with your location. On a sunny day, the signal mirror can be seen over many kilometres from the air, and help guide people to you.
All the above can easily fit in a small bag.
Safe travels - I hope this helps.
Not a Patreon subscriber (yet), so don't have a lot of room to complain, even though I'm a long time fan- still, I was disappointed these two videos had so much talking and so little detail. This is the same stuff in the books on the market and in your other videos... it's good, but doesn't cover the minutia of why you've made particular choices on things. AND... that's where you are brilliant and really set yourself apart, Andrew. First-aid, tire change particulars, tools for vehicle checks, spare liquids, in box/bag organization, dirty clothes, etc. We're interested in all that nitty gritty detail and it will really help spawn our own creativity and solutions.
Hey, thanks for all the videos and what you've done for the overlanding community. A true champion!
Whilst on the subject of the dangers of camping in dry creek beds , there is another danger in Australia called the “widow maker “ which is when a big limb of a eucalyptus tree sometimes break off without warning ⚠️ especially after a big blow or storm and the change/ variation of temperatures in the early morning , especially inland can cause this . Iv had it happen to me and just mid me and veh as crossed a gate the limb fell and smashed the gate and would’ve knocked me as well only be 30secs.or so. ..not a breath of wind it was a very cool crisp morning frightening.. it seems nice to camp in the shade but be warned ... keep up the excellent videos.
Excellent comment/s.
Paul is absolutely correct about flash floods, I have personally witnessed a monster while camping in Australia. Big storm on the hills above us, then a roar that sounded like a jet engine. The noise was only five to ten seconds ahead of a wall of water 1.5 meters high. The water also contained a seemingly endless amount of rock’s that were larger than basket ball’s, everything in it’s path was demolished. The rocks continued for forty minutes before the water slowed enough to let them settle.
The wipes don't breakdown, I work at a treatment plant and see truckloads of wipes screened and removed everyday from waste water inlets.
Yep Paul great point keep the windscreen spotless also Andrew the wet wipes are the best you will never go back once your used wet wipes. Love it 😊
Putting the least necessities in a bag to grab and go, it could be life-saving in some occasions. This is very good advice. I am going to redesign for this bag stuffs
I must say that I do enjoy the chats you and Paul have -keep them coming :)
I’m planning around the word overland with lc hj62 I’m learning a lot from this two guys thanks a lot
Overtime I also grew lazy with closing my Landcruiser doors while camping. It wasn't until one evening a mouse or "something" chewed foam out of one of the vents under the dash that I realised it's not a smart thing to do. My advice now is to keep them shut, be careful as any damaged wiring etc. would be hard to get to/fix. I have enjoyed your videos, keep up the good work.
We were touring a few years ago and there was a mouse plague at the time from Innaminka up north to Boulia. It was highly recommended was to raise the bonnet on arrival at camp to allow as much heat to escape as possible. The mice were drawn to the warmth and therefore wiring looms etc.
I guess you’ll be relocating your spare key?
I'm a fan of Sawyer water bottles and the Sawyer Squeeze filter for small bags. As always, brilliant instruction. Many thanks!
Great vid. Great tips. The bug out bag, fire extinguisher, lights, spare keys, etc., all great information. I am new to camping and Overlanding. Would definitely appreciate a chat about various bathroom choices other than digging a ditch behind a bush.
Some excellent suggestions. One quick note, 'grey water' in Oz generally refers to waste water such as that coming from showers and sinks rather than water sources. People in Australia might be inclined to disregard the comments about animal dangers as we don't have many large animals that appear to be a real threat like those in Africa and the USA. There are large animals here that can be quite a serious threat that many people don't often think about. When camping in station country there are wild cattle that often wander through campsites at night. Male kangaroos or females with joeys can be a serious threat if you surprise them in the dark, dingoes are rarely a threat but attacks have happened and children are most at risk. Many of us take the threat of snakes, spiders, scorpions and centipedes seriously but when out in the bush it is always wise to be alert to every possible danger. A well-lit campsite is generally a safer campsite.
I love listening to the both of you & all your knowledge 🤩
Talking about Livesafer Jerrycans: I sold them as a dealer. They are wonderful! It was just the bad pricing politics they had that I had to drop that again (amazon sold them for under my aquaintance price...). You can get them in the UK, where they are manufactured. But one has to know that the filter has to be kept wet because else the capillar tubes will split and then not filter any longer - and you don't realize that! Second is that they will clog when you use them with very dirty water or just by quantity - so it's rcommendable to either carry a spare filter element or to prefilter very bad water.
The quantity you get out of that can is not much (a cup in half a minute or so)- there is a shower kit, but you have to have a fresh filter or the bigger one of the two available (the fit on both their Jerrycans!) - but you will have to jump from drop to drop. But better than getting sick from showering or toothbrushing.
Great advice ,Make sure your grab bag has pack straps . if you have to walk any distance it makes carrying much easier . Have a leatherman tool and para cord in the pack , have a small 1st aid kit with blister (foot) and burn treatments , a few large heavy duty plastic garden rubbish bags can be used for all sorts of things , water proof paper and a sharpie felt tip pen for leaving messages , a small roll of duct tape , and apiece of fluro cloth for attracting rescuers .
great advice. Thanks.
Hygiene is hugely important when doing a trip like the Canning Stock Route. Make sure to use an anti-bacterial hand wash whenever you need to go and be extremely careful with food safety, etc. We had a guy in our party of 4 who came down with a bad case of gastroenteritis. When you are that isolated becoming violently ill can be a major issue. It got so bad for him we were extremely concerned for his wellbeing. It ended his trip and that of his mate he was travelling with. Luckily we were only a day away from one of the main aboriginal settlements where a nurse was present and we were able to get him on a drip.
HaHa Paul's restraint about ridiculing Andre about the thought of using wet-wipes instead of toilet paper is admirable.
Grab bags have been used for years in the marine environment and I have carried one for years in my vehicle, while they may carry different items in an expedition environment it is a good idea to carry one and for everyone to know where it is, and what kit is contained in it and how to use it.
Another great video ,I like plastic storage boxes which can drain fuel or water int if you have a holed tank .
Valuable information! Thank you so much, gentlemen 👍🏻
Grab BAG: great idea! 👍
Being German, we always overthink stuff. I would immediately know WHAT to grab - but out wouldn't be all at the same place!
My next trip will have a grab BAG: copies of docs, emergency shelter, lighter, cheap cell phone, Chlor to make drinking water.
PS fire distinguisher, maybe a good idea to have 1 outside the car to grab, attached to frame (covered in plastic) ...
very clever tips. love the level of thought that's gone into this.
2 wise gentlemen sharing valuable information. Love it
The "grab bag" - very good point of view. It's not only for emergency, it's also when you travel in habitated areas and you have to leave the car for...fuelling, shopping, looking around, check something, stretch you legs at a nearby beach beach etc.: there are countries where kids and teens do a sport out of ripping things out of your car - or at least you are fearing that because you can't always watch or lock all doors.
A friends RV was opened while he was 20m away from it with his dog for a pee - but 3m below on a beach. These guys even closed the broken camping window firmly so he noticed the robbery only some hours later! He was very lucky he had hidden his valuables good enough.
My "grab bag" is therefore a belly-bag (name?) which I can carry comfortly - it has a expandable part so I can turn it into a rucksack for a short siteviewing trip.
A small head torch and a lighter is essential in my eyes, too.
thanks. I am busy with a 'grab-bad video now.
Another great informative video. With modern motors the immobiliser systems are now built into the ecu. How would you go about removing it? Even if you buy the bottom of the range they still have alot of electronics to go wrong.
Seeing the “folder” at the start reminds me I have a question about shovels. I’m sure in one of your videos you talk about using a cut down shovel, and short shovels always seem to be the thing you see on 4x4s, but I have been told a long shovel is important as you need to be able to reach under the middle to the diff to dig out anything your bellied out on? Do you have a recommendation/preference either way or is it best to have both?
why have i just learned about this channel? great advice and a lot of things i can relate to, keep up the good job, greatings from italy :-)
Put a Lifestraw or other filtering device in your grab bag. Katadyn Hiker Pro is my choice as long as I have a container to put it in
This is very informative. Thank you so much
Hi Andrew thanks for your great reviews whatr is the name of those super chairs your sitting on ? thanks
Please comment on the type and size of fire extinguisher you recommend. My dry chemical type failed in the one and only emergency situation where it was really needed - problem turned out to be that the powder settled and hardened (extended driving on corrugated roads?). It was an expensive unit and only about six months old.
Jimbob Jones if in doubt it should be part of vehicle preparation to shake powder fire extinguishers every so often and most people forget to do this. You need to do this at least once every week or so if you drive on such bad roadsregularly, also mounting the extinguisher horizontal helps combat the compacting effect if you don't have alternatives to standard extinguishers. Minimum 1kg is almost too small but a good start I would say.
Always mount a fire extinguisher side-ways so the movement of the vehicle or vessel does not allow the contents to settle in the bottom which is the pick up point inside the unit. And have them tested regularly. And if you can't test them then replace them. And another thing : One is not enough.
Dankie Louis, thanks Ade, that's valuable information! Of course mine was in vertically mounted and I never bothered to shake it up. Pity we don't get those (ozone destroying?) BCF types anymore - I'd prefer something "fit and forget".
I like the old chemicals....they worked....so many now gone....
Like ship hull paint, sheep dip, herbicides and pressure gases.....
all changed and gone....
Safe Travels to you Sir. :-)
I carry 2 fire strykers. They are safe to use on any fire type & they don’t have any of the problems regular fire extinguishers have. www.progresspartners.com.au/products/145-fire-stryker-new-generation-flame-inhibitor
Andrew,
What are the chairs you gentleman are sitting on?
re: under vehicle fires. In addition to fire extinguishers, also carry a large hand trigger squirty bottle, approx 1 litre, set the nozzle to stream, not fine mist spray. Use this as one of the first attack under the vehicle if trapped grass or spinifex is starting to smoulder. I was informed this by someone who has conducted tag-along motorcycle tours on the Canning Stock Route. And never ignore the smell of smoke.
Noel Whittle a
100% agree on grab bag
Great vid, should get some led spot lights for your vehicle for the dirt tracks just in case of a medical emergency.
When I was quite young I camped on an open campsite with some friends in Serengeti. Two of us in a homemade roof tent the other two in a ground tent. Since two where guest from Sweden we, who at the time lived in Tanzania, wanted to make the night more interesting. So we decided (I know it is stupid) to put some of our leftover not barbecued meet around our camp. The meet where not grilled but marinated in local wine. That is the main reason why we did not eat it.
During the night we did not heard any animal at all. When we ate breakfast we saw a baboon walking to one of the meat pieces ... he went close and smelled at it. His reaction was hilarious. He jumped a meter straight up and ran away like he was stung by a wasp.
So, my conclusion is. If you do not want wildlife to disturb your night sleep put out some meat marinated in wine from Dodoma. Any animal will keep a safe distance.
Funny you should mention animals stealing things left outside.
I live in the UK so everything is left outside when we camp. Until one morning I actually watched a fox running away with one of my wellington boots in its mouth.
Cheers.
Most wet wipes, unless specifically mentioned don't brake down, they're made of polyester, plastic. Very useful information otherwise, got a spare key stacked somewhere as well, learned that the hard way 😂
All good information, especially the wildlife stealing your stuff. The last time I had that happen was in Florida, a raccoon stole my bait. Took everything but the squid.
it's Paul again!
you make a great duet, perhaps you could do this thing together..the 4xoverland channel, everybody here loves Paul.
Andrew, I remember seeing somewhere in one of your videos was the Fire Stick, seemed like the best thing yet! I’ve not found one for sale in Australia yet, I’ve found the US Extiguish Stick & Element Fire Stick but both don’t seem to ship to Australia, any ideas/advice? Thanks again as always. Enjoy all your work!
Guy Harding I’m in Sydney & bought 2 firestrykers before Christmas. www.progresspartners.com.au/buy-online/fire-stryker/fire-stryker-13b-detail
How do you get on for Insurance on the vehicle when it is modified and off road ?
I had to shop around
Sorry I can't agree on wet wipes...Not all wet wipes are bio-degradable like toilet paper (most aren't biodegradable, at least not quickly)... just see the gigantic plug of wipes and grease that they had in London last year as proof.
At my fishing lakes in France, I've found these horrendous items, when not buried; years after use... Also they block the toilets, (yes we have proper toilets on site so no need to use the bushes) which cost nearly 400 € to pump out....
I've actually banned them in the rules 'No wet wipes' as they just cause too much costly and polluting damage.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/500ml-Portable-Bidet-Sprayer-Personal-Cleaner-Hygiene-Bottle-Spray-Washlet-/192143862714
and u cant burn wet wipes like u can burn toilet paper. in desert areas toilet paper blows around literally months after it was put there. the bleach in toilet paper ensures its survival. no to wet wipes unless u take them out with you but i suspect most will bury them where they are. rather use toilet paper and burn it.
Agreed. However, with a little shopping/searching you can bring something like these along: amzn.to/2ETPJyZ
Also with wet wipes, you're probably better off doing that cleanup before bed.
(Takes care of 'leakages'.)
Knowledge about our passion "Overlanding" needs to be shared in order to sustain the possibility to maintain our favorite activity as long as possible.Andrew and Paul do a great job in doing so..
with some small exceptions:
In spite of the logistical advantage wet wipes are an environmental night mare.
I would say even to a large extent bio-degradable ones. In a desert environment biodegradability is almost reduced to none. So the disgusting evidence of human presence by the kind of "number two's" is only to be avoided by burning the wipes and toilet paper. But as the name clearly says "wet" does not burn too well ! So the only way is to have them dry out and then burn them always taking good care not to set the scenery on fire.. But as Andrew and Paul often mention many choices of equipment or ways of doing things out in the sticks depend on overall conditions, geography and climate. Digging your paper and wipes under a couple of centimeters of soil or worse sand is usually uncovered after the first fierce wind and the stuff blows around and decorates the wilderness we all love and want to preserve. People often dig holes and throw bottles, cans and the like into them..animals can find them easily and dig them out only to be hurt in a near future by debris of glass and cutting edges of cans..that will stick around for years..I suggest that all we take into the wild that is not bio-degradable and/or burnable in the morning camp fire should be taken back to the nearest garbage disposal site..and in countries where they don't exist burning is in any case the best solution for plastic/wipes/wrappers/water bottles and all stuff burnable as in any case the highest level of rubbish disposal would be by burning it.The worst
the slow decay in wild/savage rubbish disposal sites outside villages in the countryside..metal and glass garbage is often re-used by locals so best disposed of in towns..often petrol stations have rubbish collecting bins. I personally advice novices in the overloading field to take along a sturdy waterproof bag to store smelly, leaky or other garbage that needs taking along to be disposed of later.
All the rest is burnt as the trip moves along. Happy discovery in a world whose boundaries are closing in all too rapidly so preservation, treading lightly and being an example to others is vital.
Great video as always. I'd like to see a video on the kit you carry. Like having everything laid out one the floor of your garage and going over them one by one.
I'll do a video on one of my trips.
I agree. This would be a very, very helpful video.
I've liked and am commenting to earn you a couple more cents 😉
Interesting couple of vids, a couple of things I didn't think about.
Thank you.
Perth.
Greaaaatt video! Thank you!
Love it😊
Oh! I thought you were going to pull out a .44 magnum revolver.
have you ever overlanding in a not so varm climate like south africa or Australia.
not so warm like South Africa or Australia? Not clear what you are asking. These countries are hot. I've also overlanded in Europe, USA, Oman UAE and several African countries. You will find the videos on my channel.
my apologies for not being clearer, i have see some of your usa, uea. but i was thinking of northern Europe, Canada. the reason i ask is that there are different preparation one do fore those places, especially at winter time.
What boots does the guy wearing pants have on? Looks like Danners but I'm probably wrong.
Meindl Desert Fox boots .a very good pair of boots , used by some military outfits
Flintlock Thanks for the help
Hi have used these boots they are really good very comfy light hard wearing with good support but have in last few years changed to altberg desert boots I’d say are slightly better again military issue , British forces , not cheap but pair I have now are two year old and other than the sole wearing down they are in good nick and that’s with a lot of use
Toilet business...
When dingos and wild dogs are around, they will dig up your business for food.
To prevent bits of paper from turning up everywhere, burn it... add matches, etc, to your toilet kit.
Also, Water business...
You backup water MUST be in a separate storage container. Loss of your primary water storage (eg. a leak) must not affect your backup.
Howdy all, Andrew, apologies if you already know, Lifesaver water filtration products are available in Australia. Website here: www.lifesaversystems.com.au/#body No, I don't have a vested interest in the company. I just keep pausing your video and looking up all the products you both are talking about. Thanks for the great info. I'm planning a trip to Wilcannia and beyond shortly and making notes!
20 lt of water? I allow 8 liters per person per day minimum
nice !
If you can, swap a spare key with another car in the convoy if available
I do not agree with that. Convoys can split, one forgets, the other driver loses it, etc. Better to be self reliant.
Not the ones I do as we are all friends from the same town
I do carry a steel copy in my wallet and a third spare in the car, but 2nd spare to a friend in the group
I lost 17 rolls of undeveloped film after a 4 month solo trip around Southern Africa to a thief at Masvingo Municipal Campsite back in the 90's. The guy removed the windscreen of the car in order to get to my stuff. It took me a long while to get over this little episode. Most dangerous predators in Africa are the two legged kind IMO.
We call the wet wipes re refreshing wipes
It sounds a lot like bug-out, but bugging out of vehicle - not home.
A lighter or matches are needed too to burn the toilet paper : )
that's a discussion all its own. If I was seen setting fire to toilet paper in an Australian woodland, I could be thrown in jail for 20 years. Fires are banned for most of the year. So I don't think that burning paper should be encouraged in Australia.
Thankfully Andrew it is a method welcomed by National Parks as it leaves nothing for the roaming animals to dig up. You would never be thrown in jail for burning your loo paper in Australia, especially seeing as you burn it before filling in the hole : )
Couldnt be more wrong Glen Marshall , or at least some geographical caveats are needed for that advice.. Here in WA the penalties for lighting fires during fire bans are almost bordering on capital punishment. That is if you survive the flogging you will get from the local landholders. The last thing I would want to see in a remote location surrounded by dry bush is someone lighting a fire.
So when lighting a fire banned, setting fire to a bit of toilet paper is okay. Not possible, surely? I light the paper, the wind blows it away (accidentally), and the next thing a million hectars is destroyed. All for the sake of a small scap of paper?
Sorry guys, but maybe you both need to watch this video. If the hole is deep enough, smoldering toilet paper shouldn't blow away and you should also watch that the paper burns thoroughly and if some does blow out of the hole, the shovel is used to put it out. ruclips.net/video/G1uE6a_r7Q4/видео.html
Thermacell Portable
Paul needs a louder microphone :-)
You should probably add a lighter to your toilet kit as all toilet paper should be burnt, weather and fire bans permitting...
Don't agree about wet wipes. I find sandpaper is actually the best means of cleaning ones rear.
The Saint Rabbits work well too ;)
The truth is fellas, nothing beats using a dead badger.
I would think you would require multiple types of fire extinguishers
1 thing i do know whether it be Australia, USA or africa, a gun is essential no matter where you are for security and safety..
you will need to think what types or fire extinguishers you will need as well..
Guns are banned in just about all national park in Australia
Jason howe read up on the port Arthur massacre mate. The reason we don't carry guns in Australia. Worked out bloody good here, how about the US? Lol
I LIVED THROUGH THAT MONSTER OF STUPIDITY and its fall out..
I hate to tell you this guns aren't generally used in national parks though common practice if you see animals laying half dead on the road it is an unwritten policy to dispatch its life also note: if you get bit by a snake it is common practice to kill it and take it with you to the nearest hospital so you get the right anti venom I can't see people trying to dispatch the snakes any other way..
I hate to tell keyboard warriors this there are ways abs means of getting gun l9icenses in Australia, they are a safety device..
Jason howe if you must kill it, then you would normally use a shovel to kill a snake. Much easier than trying to shoot it with a gun.
lol have you ever faced a snake and tried to kill it with a shovel it isn't as easy as it sounds, snakes by popular myth aren't scared of human's as they are generalla top of the food chain where they live..
Well since you guys live in communist Australia you can’t but, the must have item is a firearm.
John Edmonds compare gun deaths in America and Australia. I know where is safer! If everyone carries a gun, then you need a bigger gun... where does it stop.
John Edmonds Correct. A fully automatic assault rifle is ESSENTIAL in Australia. A 50cal heavy machine gun can also easily be fitted to the roof to offer close ground support.
Give me a Minigun in 7,62.
They're electrically driven, so you're gonna need more solar panels!
Great point. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. But get real training with family as well. not just range time. And get real medical training as well.