Volunteer ambulance officer urges hikers to be prepared and know their limits after seven-hour Denmark rescue

A volunteer ambulance officer has warned hikers to prepare properly and know their limits after a series of hiking incidents across the south coast. On January 19, when temperatures soared into the high-30s on one of the hottest days in months, volunteer emergency responders were involved in a seven-hour rescue in Parryville. Emergency services were called out to an incident on the Bibbulmun Track between Parry’s Camp and Boat Harbour, after a group of holidaymakers from Perth ran out of water and became disoriented. The group included a 75-year-old woman and an eight-year-old boy. The State Emergency Service and St John Ambulance volunteers co-ordinated the search. Denmark volunteer ambulance officer Tony Chounding said it was a challenging rescue in the heat. “The rescue mission lasted over seven hours in oppressive heat and humidity,” he said. “The group, a family from Perth, set off under-prepared with little water — overestimated their ability and underestimated the harsh summertime conditions the track can deliver unwary hikers. “Due to the rugged terrain, the all-terrain vehicle wasn’t able to reach the group of hikers. “It was left to St John and SES personnel to walk the group to safety.” The 75-year-old woman was taken to Denmark Health Campus suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion. The Parryville rescue came after several other incidents in the region, including in Porongurup National Park, where hikers have needed help from emergency service volunteers. “This incident serves as a timely reminder to take proper precautions if you intend on exploring the bush,” Mr Chounding said. “Plan the trip and avoid hiking in temperatures above 30C. “Research the walk — especially the terrain — take plenty of water, and ideally take a little more than you think you’ll need. “Take sun protection and consider an EPIRB for areas of patchy communications. “And also, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.”