EPIRB ACTIVATION Simpson Desert - What Really Happened

In this video I look at what really happens when you activate an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon) or PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) in a remote part of Australia.
I interview Ori Zavros who with his wife Lindsay and two young children became bogged after heavy rain in the Simpson Desert. Ori catalogued his ordeal with gopro’s, drones and mobile phones and has kindly given me access to this amazing footage. It shows the search aircraft parachuting rescue stores, the families attempts to free their homebuilt truck from the bog and their eventual rescue by helicopter.
UPDATE: The truck has just been recovered;
www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-2...
Chapters
0:00 Start
0:56 Interview with Ori Zavros starts
4:00 Truck gets bogged
6:16 EPIRB/PLB gets activated
7:05 First rescue aeroplane (Bombardier Challenger 604) flies over
16:00 Food drop by aeroplane
17:50 Rescue chopper arrives (Bell 412)
19:27 Media storm
21:30 Lessons learned
22:30 Weather forecast
22:48 Preparation, food, water
24:50 Post interview debrief
25:00 Difference between EPIRB and PLB
25:40 Satellite trackers, Zoleo, Spot tracker, Garmin Inreach
27:40 Satellite tracker limitations
28:30 What I take on major expeditions
29:08 My PFD with PLB attached
30:19 Conclusion
I verified Ori’s factual account with the AMSA RCC (Australian Maritime Safety Authority Rescue Co-ordination Centre) in Canberra. They kindly provided the parachute drop footage. ASMA RCC co-ordinate all major rescues within Australia. For a more in-depth look at how the RCC works I’d recommend this podcast by the Rotary Wing Show. Both the host and RCC Supervisor he interviews are Ex Army Aviation pilot’s and colleagues of mine.
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
Or visit the AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) website for the latest news and info on beacons;
beacons.amsa.gov.au
Ori has a KZbin channel that shows more about his truck and how he build it;
/ ozavros
And his TruckingOz Instagram page
/ trucking.oz
News stories referenced during the interview;
ABC News
• Zavros family grateful...
7 News
7news.com.au/news/sa/developm...
CNN
www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-1...
Gear/beacons
The PLB that Ori activated is an ACR ResQLink;
www.acrartex.com/products/res...
My Rescue Me EPIRB (floating/marine certified);
oceansignal.com/products/epirb1/
My Rescue Me PLB (the tiny one);
oceansignal.com/products/plb1/
My Zoleo Satellite Tracker;
www.zoleo.com
My Spot tracker (newer versions are available than the one I showed);
www.findmespot.com/en-us/
Garmin Inreach Mini:
www.garmin.com/en-AU/p/592606
Please feel free to check out my other youtube videos, particularly my Surviving the Great Barrier Reef series. This was the dugout canoe expedition mentioned in this video. The canoe build and pre-departure video’s are already up and I’m about to start editing the actual expedition footage. It was epic and the hardest expedition I've done.
• Surviving the Great Ba...
Here’s my website and socials;
outbackmike.com.au (here you can also view my previous feature film “Surviving the Outback)
/ outbackmike
outback_mik...
Thanks for watching!!!

[@MadRS]

I don't see how people can criticise this situation. Remote touring with a family is some of the best life experiences that young kids can have. They were well prepared, they knew what they were doing and they did everything they could to get themselves out of the situation. I say well done and I hope they aren't put off from future adventures.

[@cascadianrangers728]

This is exactly why you shouldn't do that sort of thing with your family. He did everything right, and still could have been responsible for his entire family's death. If you want to risk your own life, have fun. But its not acceptable to endanger your family and its especially not ok to endanger the life of the search and rescue personal who will be coming to save your ass

[@user-yq6ov6ow7l]

My kids complain after 20 minutes of offroading

[@copternutFPV]

So Ori had a purpose built vehicle, all the right recovery gear, a beacon, food etc and was really unlucky with unexpected storms. Sounds like he did everything right but was just hit by some unfortunate circumstances. Great video!

[@Lytoan8x]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ-YgGN-qcSpgs0

[@cascadianrangers728]

Doesnt matter if a vehicle is purpose built if its built for something else by someone dumb

[@Adrian-pi4zu]

This is why we have emergency services, the family did pretty much everything they could to get out themselves. Having an epirb is a literal life saver. These things happen. Big ups to the emergency services as they always do an incredible job. No shame getting caught in that situation, just unfortunate.

[@jimlofts5433]

the family did pretty much everything they could to get into trouble

[@lutomson3496]

Gonna say the same let's get stuck where we shouldn't be as we know taxpayers will bail us out

[@jimlofts5433]

@@lutomson3496 yes but the epirby thingy was good - and who cares if it was early - they were safe and easily found

[@lambbosbread123]

@@lutomson3496 yes that is why we all pay tax, so we all have these kinds of things if things go wrong, u have the same rights, so pipe down .

[@shadylane7988]

I ride a dual sport motorcycle sometimes probably where I shouldn't be on better judgment. I carry a PLB cuz I don't always have cell phone service. I do think that there should be some burden on the "adventurer" to pay for the services they recieved. Otherwise, this just encourages behavior from people who CAN afford this type of adventuring as a safety net at taxpayers expense?

[@berryreading4809]

I understand criticism of people that get themselves into similar situations, but only the people that go in un experienced, under equipped, without preparations then make a rescue call without attempting all safe self recovery options first... This family was obviously not an example of that! They deserve no hate, and should respected for showing how important personal locator/rescue beacons can be for even the most prepared... Especially in the event of an unexpected/emergency medical condition! Thanks for sharing your experiences 🙏👍

[@mayhem661616]

I’m a SAR operator in the NT. Epirb’s and soot tracker 100% save lives. I have been involved with a lot of protracted searches that could have ended in hours not days with an epirb

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

I saw a news broadcast on this. Here in the USA. They made it look like they didn't know what they were doing. After seeing this you could see they use basic Expedition travel knowledge of moving to higher ground and advanced recovery techniques like burying a tire. The point that showed he is truly a skilled Explorer was that they had extra water and provisions on board but knew to set off the beacon before those ran out. Glad to see they are ok and I'm sure will enjoy overlanding again soon.

[@ubertalldude]

I live in the US. Our news sucks and is sensationalist garbage

[@DuzBee]

They didn’t know what they were doing. Graham Scott, the owner of Mt Dare, went out and self recovered it just a few days after the family were rescued. Ori the Farther admitted that the mud was too sloppy for maxtraxs, which admits he lacks knowledge base. Maxtraxs were made for sand/mud and work very well in these conditions. He had a rear winch and max tracks but couldn’t get out? Very telling details considering Graham Scott drove the bogged vehicle out while under acceleration, which pull and maxtrax use. Knowledge is power

[@Alpha-mo1kg]

@@DuzBee Source: Just trust me bro. All sources are disagreeing with about everything you have said. The vehicle was recovered 1 month later due to inaccessible terrain( not a few days later) and they had to dig the dry sand out for a whole day before snatching it out with a unimog, there clearly was no winch rope, maxtrax in the recovery photos. Ori have clearly said that the maxtrax and winches didn't help when he tried to self recover before he activated the PLB and seeing as he travelled around the country I'm willing to bet that he knows how to use recovery equipment. Remember that it's a 5 ton Canter truck that he's trying to recover, not a 2.5 ton Discovery. Perhaps you should get off your high horse and stop fabricating lies about this guy which did everything right and learn from him to always carry a PLB when remote travelling. www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-21/sa-campervan-to-be-returned-to-wa-family/100715708 www.autoevolution.com/news/family-van-stuck-in-the-desert-recovered-one-month-later-with-help-from-a-unimog-177169.html

[@allandriver2066]

@@DuzBee have you been out there?.......keyboard warrior?

[@BdoubleBrad]

@@DuzBeeGraham Scott did some digging and then used a UNI-MOG to pull it out. Quote.. "It was fairly well embedded in We spent about, let's say an hour and a half to two hours, digging it out, then pulled it out with our big recovery truck, with a bit of digging and a bit of help from our Unimog, it popped out,"

[@AnarchyEnsues]

Honestly I love that this family is exploring Australia, and It's not ideal that they needed to be rescued, however they are living the Australian dream, and I'm for these rescue services. Just like people that go deep sea fishing, bad things sometimes happen.

[@einfelder8262]

Nothing bad happened here, just saying :) I have driven through the Simpson several times, and thankfully it didn't rain ....

[@35manning]

@@einfelder8262 if they needed rescuing, things went bad. The degree of HOW bad was limited by good planning and a decision to activate a distress call early as soon as they realised they weren't able to self recover. The "event" technically isn't over, not until the vehicle is either fully abondoned or recovered. Just that the lives are now safe, the police and RCC are no longer involved and the next stage may involve insurance and tow companies, or friends and family, plus the proper application of time until the next dry season, in order to complete.

[@einfelder8262]

@@35manning WTF - no need to write a novel. Nothing bad happened. The vehicle was at Mt Dare a while ago and is now probably back in Perth. No-one was injured or in ANY danger. Emergency services exist and cost money - a rescue is just another day of training.

[@35manning]

@@einfelder8262 as a former emergency services worker (fire) and having working in aviation including supporting the training of SAR aircraft and the operations of emergency aircraft, including medic, law enforcement and fire, there is a BIG difference between operations and training. And even the simplest of calls where nobody was hurt or in any danger were given the fullest respect of what COULD have been or COULD turn into. A simple small rubbish bin fire still got lights and sirens because we didn't know WHERE the bin was in relation to structures. When you are awarded a National Emergency Medal for your services, then maybe you'll understand where I'm coming from. As for nobody "being in danger", a helicopter would not have been sent out if the professionals did not deem there to be a present danger. Danger need not be a raging fire or an in-progress medical emergency, the predicted hot weather and the risk of it turning into a medical emergency is still a "danger" that must be accounted for. As for writing a "novel", do you think I should. Would you buy a copy? I currently have more then enough spare time on my hands and would rather over explain something then need to reply with a further explanation or worse, have somebody in need of further explanation but lacking the confidence to ask in case a person like you tried to bite their head off. So, from a emergency services professional who's placed their life in harms way to help others and dealt with the trauma of those situations where my help just wasn't enough, there was danger. A bad thing did happen. Both the survivors and rescuers did all of the right things, resulting in a successful outcome. This was NOT a training exercise in ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM.

[@masoncramp9876]

@@35manning Chill out mate

[@dominichyde788]

While not an issue in this case, one thing I discovered during a PLB extraction, hiking in the Kimberley, was just how hard it is for SAR air assets (e.g. choppers) to actually *see* you on the ground. A bright tarp or similar helps them locate you from the air (whereas locating just a person from the air is near impossible).

[@OutbackMike]

chopper pilot in the Army I spent a lot of time searching for people on the ground. It’s very difficult, even if they’re where flouro. A bright tarp, signal mirror anything large that contrasts from the surrounding terrain helps greatly for aerial searches.

[@hikerinaustralia]

A mylar thermal emergency blanket would be good to lay out (most first aid kits would have one)

[@roryguinness1402]

The best option for choppers is a torch with strobe function.

[@geoffgeoff143]

I carry a marine V sheet in my pack. Torch and mirror.

[@35manning]

@@roryguinness1402a torch or strobe is really only good for night time. A rescue mirror, if used correctly, does an OK job of the day time as it harnesses the much stronger light intensity of the sun. Overall, the keyword here is contrast. In the snow a black tarp may actually be the most suitable, as it not only contrasts well against white snow BUT also soaks up the heat of the sun giving a clear thermal contrast. A smokey fire or flare are also helpful because of the intense heat (dedicated search aircraft normally have thermal imaging) and long visual trail rising up above the surrounding land. And of course, even if it's burned out and "completely useless", a vehicle is always easier to spot then a person. Hence the recommendation to stay with your vehicle, unless life threatening conditions require otherwise. And then leave clues, such as logs in the shape of an arrow, leading to where you went.

[@ironside210]

I have no criticism of this traveler. He did everything reasonable to prepare for what was obviously a challenging trip. Once the situation went belly up, he made extensive efforts to fix the issue himself. This is what our Emergency Services are for, and it all worked. Thank you EPIRB. Thank you Emergency Services. The cost to find/rescue someone with an EPIRB is miniscule compared to the cost of a wide airsearch and rescue. One light aircraft to find and drop comms and water, one chopper to pick up.

[@lutomson3496]

Should have never been there in the first place and taxpayers picking up the tab happens all the time they all should be sent a bill for their stupidity

[@CrusaderSports250]

@@lutomson3496 aside from sitting in you chair with a keyboard what have you done with your life?.

[@allandriver2066]

@@lutomson3496 say you sitting on your couch.

[@muzzaball]

Hundreds of people do these crossings every year, and generally things go ok. It is when the elements conspire that you end up in this situation. Even if they had been with another vehicle or two, they probably still would have ended up the same, due to the local storm. Money is not an issue when lives are saved - just ask any of the Emergency Services staff and volunteers. I am happy that my taxes are used for this purpose. Shit can hit the fan in all walks of life, from the city to the bush, and it is great that folks like RFDS are there to help. Cheers.

[@oldbloke100]

Exactly, you can't help the weather, and it's good that our taxes are used for good in this case, glad they are safe and well.

[@andrefischer5025]

I love the Simpson, have done any available tracks there and learned a lot doing so! My first crossing was 2010, one of the wettest years they had and I was allowed to head out 2 days before official opening. Getting prepared for a 90% crossing and potentially having to turn around due to conditions opens your eyes, Mother Nature is in charge and you have to adopt. One year I got stuck in clay pan for 2 days before the only and last vehicle for the year came by to drag me out (that was on a permit only track) If I see any rain in the desert, I find dry high ground immediately and park up until I can assess the situation. This approach has saved me more than once. When I did the Hay River track and had planned to go back via QAA & French line to Mt Dare, it started raining. Parked up early enough and watching the weather gave me two options. Either go back to Birdsville or had down to Mungerannie. If I would have pushed on, I would have been stuck like many others in the same mud flats out of Dalhousie.

[@freedomchaser151]

Agree 💯

[@stevesmith236]

It's great knowing when your in the crap there is someone ready to do what it takes to help you. The guy did what needed to be done to save his family.

[@justdoesntaddup8620]

Yep , more than happy for them to go where they like and do as they please, and insure themselves adequately against risk. I don’t expect other taxpayers to insure my expensive taste in exotic cars or to insure my overindulgence in high risk investments, when those things are stolen or the market collapsed then it’s on me to be covered for the cost and loss, not some poor kid on 60k paying tax.

[@drewsemple3555]

Well done Mike on the video. The questions were well-considered and non-sensationalist. I admire Ori and his family for what they have done. Their children will grow up as mature, well-rounded individuals. If I get into trouble next time that I am in the Simpson Desert, I hope I am able to stay as calm as them.

[@greghammond7956]

Excellent video Mike! Shows you how big our country is when you realise that the chopper needed fuel drops set up to reach them. The family did well, cool heads in a crisis.

[@DCA001TUBE]

Great Video, Thankyou. What people have to realise, in Australia we All pay taxes for a reason. If you are disabled we have the NDIS to help you, if you are unempolyed we have Centerlink to help you. If you get lost or stuck in the Outback we have Rescue Services that will help you, to them it is just a training exercise, they will do their best to help you. This guy did everything possible to protect himself and his family but unfortunately it "Hit The Fan", through no fault of his own, and he had to call for help. That's why we pay taxes!. Good thing it happened in the Lucky Country. Good on you for getting out there and giving it a go. I've been out there, It's Bloody Hard Work, but it is an Amazing Place to see. Great info in this video, I hope it gives some travellers the insite into what you need out there, because trust me, it's a big "Fan" when it hit's you.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks. Yep, you pretty much summed it up.

[@35manning]

I would correct you on one thing. It is NOT "just a training exercise" to them. It is world war three starting with nuclear bombs falling all around them. It is as real as it gets and whilst individuals may breath a sign of relief the first time survivors as spotted standing / walking, again when first voice contact is made, when food drops are successfully, when rescue teams first arrive on the ground etc, the organisation doesn't declare victory until every last survivor AND rescuer is safely on the ground at a secure location. Things could ALWAYS go from great to deadly. They do do training, when there are no active jobs and they are free to focus only on that training.

[@TradieTrev]

This makes me respect our fellow radio hams, they taught me with the right radio gear I could talk to anyone in the world if I ever stuck in the middle of nowhere.

[@spartannomad3036]

My wife and I did the Simpson Desert crossing in our Amarok last year and we hired a sat phone in Birdsville and dropped it off at Mt. Dare on the otherside. First night camp was about 5km west of Poepel Cnr and it bucketed down for a about 12hrs. The track was soaked and my concern was crossing the numerous salt pans west of our position and the salt pan east back to Birdsville. Anyway long story short, we got through with no dramas, but i came close to using the sat phone and paying for a very expensive recovery. Good prep is a must, we had enough food and water for about 10 days. Looking forward to doing the trip again , as they say adventure before dementia.

[@timdudeney5072]

If you don't mind, how much was the sat phone hire?

[@mavrick5006]

Thanks for having the guts to talk about it mate ..technology at its best saving lives awesome results .. rescue teams are appreciated too cheers

[@OutbackMike]

Agreed.

[@johnsavage1109]

In my opinion ....... This family did everything right. Ori is very hands on and had everything needed for this trip. They had a very capable truck with ample food and water. sometimes "Shit" happens. The PLB you held up does have an Ariel but does not float. I have it mounted on the shoulder of my PFD.

[@drgloverable]

I'm glad to hear this story.... Very educational. I always take a PLB and sat phone on remote trips. Having crossed the Simpson in flood, it seemed counter intuitive to stick to the flooded track, and not try the higher ground. Higher ground = soft and got bogged. Track = water over bonnet but firm base.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Chris. I think Ori experimented with both.

[@35manning]

I've had the pleasure of being 50m away from the drops of these SAR planes. Fortunately, I was a airport maintenance / works officer and they were only training drops. They could have made the drops closer (I've seen them hit with 20m of a target), but other then in training, they deliberately aim to drop in a nearby safe location such as dry land, a clearing in the bush or up wind on the water. I wasn't aware of the siren beacon, but all the drops I've seen made used 2lt milk containers full of water as disposable ballast incase, as has happened, they were called away for real jobs. In which case, I collected and stored the spare containers for future collection and they still had the real rescue equipment and drop containers / parachutes. Hope I never need their help, but I am thankful I got to play even the smallest part in their ongoing training as I learnt a lot from it.

[@LapsofMaps]

Being a full-time traveller, we can't stress enough about satellite phones for remote travel! It's good to see the truck recovered by the Mount Dare Hotel too. 👍

[@stevenhart9004]

Really great to hear a real life experience where a PLB has alerted authorities. I liked the practical way rescue handled the supplies & rescue. I have one for a jetski & boat, but i must remember to carry it in remote places. I'd never have driven in that mud in that vehicle though. I've had to camp out because of that slippery red silt in central Australia after an unexpected storm. But i was able to hold out a couple of weeks until the surface dried out.

[@markr8019]

Great interview, social media and the arm chair experts are toxic. He was prepared for the worst while carrying the EPIRB. We can all learn off eachother. The guy that never makes a mistake has never done anything.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks. Yes. I find that people with a great deal of adventure experience are less likely to criticise others. They know there’s usually more to the story and they can empathise.

[@petermiddo]

I've got a large amount of adventure travel experience, but I am critical of this guy. He was warned not to travel into the desert by the people at Mt Dare Homestead and, I believe, the Birdsville Police Officer, because the storm was predicted and expected. He went anyway. Yes, he had an EPIRB, BUT HE SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT BIRDSVILLE WHEN HE DID! Always, always, always, listen to advice from local, reliable sources and you won't need to activate your epirb.

[@vincentdunne7197]

If you have never been bogged before you have never seen Australia I reckon. I agree totally

[@mountainconstructions]

@@petermiddo Well if that was the case, I think he forgot to mention it in his interview??? Or did I miss it? It certainly shines a different light on the situation. Have crossed the Simmo plenty to get to Finke and those mud flats scare the crap out of me every time.... And I've always had the benefit of watching other cross them before me. And we're just in 3.2tonne Landcruiser's... See enough trucks at work bogged the axles just going slightly off the marked road or trying to turn around.

[@petermiddo]

@@mountainconstructions Ori did clear this up in my main comment. We suspect it may have been others who contacted Mt Dare and elected not to travel. I agree that he should have contacted someone to find out prior to departure. We've allowed a day in Birdsville in our itinerary to allow us to check our vehicles & make any repairs needed, along with a rest day. I will be checking in with Steve, the Birdsville copper, and ringing Mt Dare prior to leaving Birdsville when I go across in July. I'll also make sure to ring Birdsville Police Station once I arrive at Mt Dare to check out of the desert. As is standard practice.

[@Dia1Up]

Well, they used the beacon exactly for what it is intended for after exhausting all other options. Very good thing they had it

[@MikeBrown-qt7en]

Great video on a very important subject. Thanks Ori for agreeing to share your experience. I think you did a wonderful job. Shame media didn’t report it more positively. Our travels in recent years have taken us around the Diamantina region, the Cape, Arnhem Land and the Kimberly area. We travel with a Garmin Inreach Mini and use it to let people know where we are. I’ll often use it to get a spot forecast and this helps decision making about where and when we’ll head in the short term. Great feature! I also use it on remote mountain bike rides here in Tas. I also have an Epirb in the boat. Mike’s explanation around epirb v plb/tracker made a lot of sense. Thanks!

[@chrispy104k]

This is a great interview. As others have said I do not understand how anyone can be critical of the decisions that Ori and his family made. They were well prepared with a really good vehicle for the trip and had sufficient food and water for an unforeseen event beyond a 4 day trip. They could not have predicted just how much rain would have fallen in what it ostensibly a desert. I've been across that track from Mt Dare to Birdsville and it is an amazing landscape. Good on them for living their lives and having a crack. I say to them, if you get the chance, go back and give it another shot Ori. Make sure that you spend a couple of days at Dalhousie Springs and soak up the ambience. Happy New Year.

[@craigporter5543]

It's the number one rule when driving in muddy conditions like that, don't go off the track. If you lack the experience don't try and go out of season.

[@GraemeGosse]

The "experts" who criticised these people are armchair "experts" who have never done anything interesting.in their lives

[@jerrymyahzcat]

I had heard that they entered the desert after being told by Birdsville police, not to. I don’t know if this is correct. This is the Only criticism I would have if they ignored such an instruction. Otherwise they were very well prepared.

[@MrGreenfisha]

@@jerrymyahzcat No that was made up by the armchair experts who know everything and have never made a mistake in their life . They were NOT told by Birdsville police not to go and they were also NOT told by the people at Mount Dare not to go as the arm chair experts also said happened ! The first time Ori spoke to Mount Dare was when he was arranging the recovery of their truck ! The negative responses by so many arm chair experts was amazing as they also didn't deal in the truth of the situation but rather make things up to make it all the more worse ! Good on Ori for taking his family adventuring . I love paying taxes that help our emergency services !

[@adamstanley5784]

Ori, I tried to imagine how hard it was to make the life saving call for you. I am very aware of how hard it was for you to risk putting your personal story up online. Yeah, the weather. I was talking to a mate, and describing how well prepared your rig was. You were well prepared to handle normal breakdown or bogging. Looking at your preparation, I imagine you had ample food and water and you are HERE so you DID! Good on you. I've learned a lot from what you shared. Talking to my local HAM radio mates, can't imagine you could have prepared better. Even the limited trip or two I Did on cape york. one of the biggest things we always prepare for (even for the house) is bug out from cyclones. Flash flooding... communications equipment. Glad you are all well. Kind reg Adam

[@Togoodforthebush]

Clear and concise info on the differences between an EBIRP, PLB and Satellite Tracker. Appreciate your work👍

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks 🙏

[@andydelarue9344]

Excellent, thanks to both of you for doing this and isn’t great that this stuff is out there and fully supported by great services.

[@OutbackMike]

Yes. We’re lucky to live in a country like Oz.

[@greatsouthernoverland]

Brilliant interview Mike and thank you for sharing your experience Ori. I hope your truck comes back and you can continue the dreaam:D

[@garywinrow7113]

Very informative. I work in the desert very close to where he got bogged and unless you have been out here when it rains you would have no idea. It looks like he did a great job under the circumstances

[@michaelhermans4753]

What amount of rain would make it a risky crossing?

[@overlandphotography]

Thanks for the interview. The family should be very proud of their efforts to firstly go on an adventure to start with knowing that there could be issues that may arise and then working methodically to get themselves out. I'm currently travelling around Australis as well and I'm not sure how I would perform in a similar situation. Well done to the family and well done to the authorities.

[@travelling_two]

Great interview - thank you for giving Ori a voice and providing your own great insight and advice. Ori you're a champion for taking your family on these adventures. Don't let the trolls get you down, most wouldn't have a clue how that country turns once wet, especially the fact that the roads are often a metre below surface level after years of grading, turning them into canals and forcing you up onto the adjacent flat.

[@ozavros]

Thanks mate. Really appreciate it 😀

[@OutbackMike]

For sure. I just got back from a 5 day remote hike with my kids. I feel sorry for the kids that miss out.

[@MrGreenfisha]

Absolutely Ori is a champion for taking the time to take his family off to see Australia , the trolls and negative responses from so many arm chair experts is incredible .

[@ricbarker4829]

I think this family did everything right. Had enough food/water and as a safety net they had the EPIRB. There will be a lot of armchair experts who themselves could have been in the same position save for a little bit more rain, and would they have been as prepared as this family?

[@vincentdunne7197]

I agree 100 %

[@freedomchaser151]

Agree 100% I’d imagine many people perish because they are too afraid to set off the beacon

[@vincentdunne7197]

I can remember back in the 1980s some people perished in western Australia in a landcruiser troopy. They were from overseas and of limited knowledge of what they were trying to achieve. They got bogged and started to walk, they were found dead 13 km from the vehicle. The people who found them locked the hubs in and drove the vehicle out of the bog. Things have changed a lot since then. I learnt a lot working and living in isolated places that I always pull when I see a vehicle stopped for some reason.

[@TehBIGrat]

Thanks for sharing the story. That EPIRB and the team behind it really saved you. You had all the right gear and adequate experience. You just got unlucky with the storm causing the wet ground. No one should be hating on you for getting help from the emergency services. That's what they are there for.

[@richardclarke7949]

Great video! As someone who is a bit of an adventurer and remotish area nurse, I found it very informal. I just came down through Mt Dare and Dalhousie Springs late December, but never venture out of mobile phone range without a PLB and 5W UHF hand-held. This is why.

[@julianlee1476]

A great interview and an amazing story. I hope Ori and his family get their truck back and will pick up where they left off. And I learnt something on personal/emergency beacons!

[@johngreydanus2033]

I was hoping to hear about his recovery plan near the end of the interview...

[@j.b.struckinadventures4993]

A great interview Mike. It’s always good to hear how things happened before you pass judgement. And I remember at the time when that weather came through that there was a lot more rain than expected. In my work we’ve put trips off up bush due to bad weather coming and got nothing more than a dark cloud pass overhead. At least they had a emergency beacon of some kind which is more than some people take with them. However if I was doing a 12 month trip with my family around Australia I would have bought a sat phone as well, especially if you’re going remote. If you don’t use it then all well and good. You’d have no trouble selling it on when you got home. But that’s just me and I’m normally over cautious

[@golfhacker9051]

Unbelievably awesome. Very well put together. 11/10

[@thisneurodiverselife]

Thank you for making this video. This was big news, so its great to hear what happened and how prepared they were. Great info about the different types of comms. One Life, One Search, Shane

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Shane.

[@GraemeGosse]

I've crossed the Simpson twice. I know where he got stuck. Like him, I have UHF radio in the car and carry a personal locator beacon This family did everything right...good for them

[@bravoaussie]

Thank you for sharing this experience and details. Hope you (family) get out touring again soon.

[@billcollis431]

gose to show how important being prepared really is, those tourer trucks have everything you could think of and the weather turns and creates a gigantic mud pit that swallows the truck in one of the most remote areas of Australia and a small $500 EPIRB saved the day, i think ill get one for when i do my trip later this year, im sorry all this happend to you but thank you for the insight of what actually happens when you push the EPIRB button just now knowing its a potential 14days or more to get rescued is good knowledge to have

[@jameshcox]

This was really interesting, thanks for sharing, and brave of the family to share it. Glad it worked out.

[@mountainconstructions]

Full Credit for making this video. Have seen 150kg Adventure Bikes stuck solid in these conditions... Let alone a 6 tonne truck. Great to see such brilliant support for those in need and so remote.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Wind Tech.

[@HardPackedADV]

Excellent, interview. Ori, thanks for sharing your experience. keep on keeping on. Love the truck, the set up etc. Cheers.

[@jshepard152]

This is a great rebuttal to people who say your rescuers will show up within 30 minutes after PLB activation. Times will vary but 2-4 hours is probably a much more realistic estimate.

[@iguanagoat799]

There are other key differences between an EPIRB/PLB and a Sat Tracker. These include PLBs tend to have more powerful transmitters, they have a direct link to the Cospas-Sarsat sat network that covers the entire world instead of privately-run sat networks like GEOS and Iridium which don't work in some locations. EPIRBS/PLBs also have much longer storage battery lives, and are cheaper.

[@beserkerknight6384]

my epirb has a 10 year battery

[@gamebrigada2]

Iridium has 100% global coverage FYI.

[@Offroad_Airscapes]

Thanks for taking the time to share this story and information, many can learn from this.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Adam.

[@brianhutchins3933]

Thank you for this video and interview. Most helpful and usefull information and nice to hear their experience first hand, not a media interpretation or beat up. Look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Brian.

[@kevinbourke2736]

Great story which will be told around camp fires and at BBQs for years to come. I'm glad that the story had such a terrific outcome. Stories like this aren't created in the lounge room at home. Desert storm are simply AMAZING! Have fun out there!

[@MightyOverlander]

Great interview. As a military guy myself prepping for these kind of situations is paramount. There isn’t great deal you could have done differently given the series of events that transpired. Even for the short solo trips that I do I always make sure that I have an emergency plan, the biggest one being making sure a few people know where I am going and when to expect me back.

[@NasTimeAdventures]

An experience everyone can learn from. A big thanks for sharing.

[@JWA15]

Thoroughly enjoyed the story. Thankyou

[@lagiszavros7730]

A great interview and depiction of this story. Many thanks for sharing.

[@OutbackMike]

You’re welcome Bugzy and thanks for the feedback!

[@roweysvn]

This was a really insightful video, thanks very much

[@suelin7973]

Great video, and lots of really interesting info that I didn’t know. Thanks both of you for sharing

[@brianmcmahon8403]

Thank you Mike. Great interview and insights.

[@speedgull2612]

Thanks for posting, very useful. cleared up a number of doubtful points on comparison of devices.

[@turbo_jimmy4065]

Great video mate just one thing, as someone who used to crew the AMSA jet. A satellite tracker is never a replacement for an EPIRB/PLB. They are a great additional layer of safety but even over land a PLB or EPIRB hands down is the better option in an emergency. Happy to discuss further and thanks again for this video.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Turbo.

[@sw6188]

Excellent video Mike. I really appreciated the tech-talk at the end about the PLB, EPIRB etc. As an electronics and radio engineer I know about this stuff, but there are always new technologies coming onto the market such as the sat and spot trackers and sometimes I don't always catch up with the new gear or what it does. I would highly recommend to everyone to invest in an EPIRB, regardless of whether you're on land or on the water. It pretty much guarantees you'll be found if things go pear shaped.

[@rhys5567]

Thank you for your service.

[@robpriest9031]

Great Yarn......Thank You. Proud of our Emergency Services and how the whole mission was carried out. All the best to the family and proud to be Australian.

[@RPOLIVNICK]

Good questions and educational interview. Important lessons learned for others.

[@QuixEnd]

Reminds me of the feeling in the army when you're totally f*ked and you hear air support coming by. It's no longer just you, it's your entire damn country behind you. Idk it's an amazing feeling to know you got an entire squad of elite pros looking out for you

[@benlux2625]

Great interview. I just love this country that no matter what situation you’re in that they go to any length to make sure you’re ok and get you out 🇦🇺

[@campally]

Unless you are overseas and want to come home during Covid times 😅

[@fishbyfootstevendangaard2220]

Great interview Mike. I run the Cairns Hiking FB page and we did a lot of collaboration work with a PHD JCU researcher on this very topic and also with QLD Police local search and rescue around safety when hiking, as there had been a spike in hikers getting into serious trouble. You pretty much nailed it with the summary at the end, and the limitations part. From the research we always recommend as a preference at least two forms of emergency communication being EPIRB and Sat Phone. We found with inreach and other tracking devices there were serious limitations, such as getting a reliable signal out in thick vegetation, battery issues if connected to GPS device like Montana 750 being used for navigation all day, lack of high intensity strobe lighting for visual extraction assistance, no homing frequency (as you mentioned) and they are not AMSA registered for a quicker local response time. Love the channel, especially the stuff you did in the Kimberly, I hiked the Drysdale River (120km - 10 days) about 5 years ago and loved it 👍 Keep up the great work 🤘

[@OutbackMike]

Awesome thanks for the info Steven. Yeah the Zoleo has worked well in light vegetation but I haven’t tried it in jungle yet.

[@hthring]

i think that may something in your video tha was a little grey, you seem to imply the sos button acts the same as a plb, so im not sure is it identical in function as plb or does it use private sat sms system im guessing... ? excellent video though

[@Wayne.Groomes.Fishing]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@milesabove5259]

This is such a great real life use of a PLB. People need to know what time to activate a beacon whilst maximising their survival which chan change so quickly. It’s good to see the process in his situation.

[@boba4083]

Great to hear the true story. Alot of the critics have probably not left their loungeroom. There are some others who know everything????? Costly experience but no-one was hurt and really good to know how things work when shxx happens. Thanks Mike and Ori.

[@JAFHRH3GR]

Mike, Thanks for the informative and entertaining video report. I'm so sorry about the attitude of some of the posters here. By your commentary and as described in the interview there are all sorts of unwelcome (IMO) comments in social media land and of course that's in evidence in this thread. FWIW, great job by the rescue professionals (happy for my taxes to be deployed here). Well done Ori and family - being responsible enough to have the locator, and using it when necessary after sufficient self-recovery attempts were made. Congratulations on the successful eventuality Ori. Keep adventuring!

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Bill🙂

[@swh5113]

Thanks for sharing really useful information and thank you to the family for sharing

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Steve.

[@hamishrobson4385]

This is a prime example as to you must take an EPIRB and sat phone for traveling in very remote areas. Great video!!

[@tasquizztaylor1698]

This is an awesome video. Thanks Mike

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks mate.

[@chrisferguson2804]

Great interview and overview of Ori's adventure. I did the Simpson Desert Trek in 1998 when I was 46yrs old and fortunately we had two vehicles and on one occasion one of the vehicles did get bogged and we were able to snatch strap our way out. I'm now 70yrs old and I do a lot of 4WDriving and solo camping and the first thing I did was purchase a RescueMe PLB and also an Immarsat satphone. Thankfully, I haven't had to use either, but it is a great comfort to know that if things do go pear shaped, that I at least have some backup and can get help if needed, especially in a medical emergency situation. Apart from the lack of a SatPhone, I reckon the family did everything I would do. No criticism at all from me and great that they got back safe and sound and with a great story to tell down the track with a few beers around the camp fire. Once again a great interview.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Chris!

[@cherylmckay9347]

I was a member of a group that got flooded in at Dalhousie Springs on the edge of the Simpson Desert many years ago and we ended up being stranded for 8 days. We were very experienced four wheel drivers but were hit by unexpected bad weather. We were fortunate enough to have the Ranges Station at Dalhousie so we could communicate with the outside world etc.... What people have to understand is that the weather can be very unpredictable and dump a lot more rain than expected. The salt pans out there have trapped many a traveler and are avoided if at all possible, if they even look the slightest bit boggy. The terrain can be very deceptive, the surface looks quite firm and yet as soon as that crust is broken it is like glue underneath. People who have never traveled the Simpson Desert are usually the first to point the finger and have no idea what the circumstances are like. If nothing else this situation will have taught both the family involved and others (hopefully) a few of the things that need to be taken into consideration. Thanks Mike for this great video

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Cheryl!

[@JacquiGrieve]

Thank you for the clarification on the PLB's etc. I now understand - yay! Also to Ori and family. Unless you are there at the time - I think it is very difficult. Well done on pressing the button and looking after you and your family.

[@rickjpetersen5921]

Great interview Mike, in the hands of Mother Nature, great to see all his prep work, pretty hard to fault his actions, Great knowledge share on your emergency beacons 🤙🏽

[@go_on_life]

Absolutely fantastic episode, very helpful information. Thanks all

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks!

[@davelees8022]

Hi, Thanks for posting the info, very interesting.

[@travellersnestoverland]

As experienced overlanders it was just being in wrong place at the wrong time. The family did everything right. Well done, guys. Very good video. Really enjoyed it. We did Australia in 22 months. We had our only flat tyre on the Birdsville road in a sandstorm. I used to go to the cops before leaving the town, so they knew we were out there. So happy this beautiful family got out alive.

[@craigtomkinson2837]

Unreel interview . thank you for sharing there story and incite into the devises available ,

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Craig.

[@whiteunicornDR659]

Great vid! Like others, when I saw this on the news I made my judgements but this vid has changed my mind.

[@mickwhitehouse7537]

Thanks Mike for that awesome stuff

[@werdnarellom1529]

What a fantastic video thankyou

[@mickwebs]

Great interview and well done Ori

[@paulgeorge7158]

Wow what an informative clip , thanks guys and so glad it was a good outcome 👍👌

[@kayboku7281]

thanks for the video, very informative!

[@obiebrown]

Great video and info :) thanks.

[@Bugoutvehiclesuk]

Thanks for posting this.

[@OutbackMike]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@Ren-io4mw]

A very informative video, thankyou. I carry a plb everytime I leave home, I register my journey with AMSA before I go. Thankfully I've never needed to use the device, but seeing this helps me to feel even more prepared should things go south.

[@deancampbell9784]

As the previous comment a great video and I was sceptical about how the family got stuck when they first hit the news, but after your interview I believe they did the correct thing. Well done

[@bin_chicken80]

Good explanation and interview. Thanks.

[@jamesrae8898]

Thanks so much for this 👍👍👍

[@nerdymoto4353]

Great interview. I carry an inreach mini, but have never had to use it - fingers crossed. Sounds like Ori kept a cool head and played the smart game which is 90% of the battle - well done.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks. I’ve never called for help on a satellite tracker yet either. I really like how I can regularly give an ‘OK’ message too so if I do get chomped by a croc before I can activate it my family will know where and when I last hit ‘OK’ and that now something is wrong. This is a big advantage over an EPIRB/PLB.

[@desgamble7643]

Honestly mate. This is the best video i have seen on youtube in all of 2021. Now 2022. If you are on land travelling or on the water you need an epirb. No if's or but's. I own a little runabout for fishing and do not venture far from home. An epirb is not required by law in QLD, for me to have onboard, but i have one. Peace of mind will save your life or the life of someone else. Just buy one. Stay safe everyone.

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Des. Much appreciated!

[@silknfeathers]

Great session, thanks for that. It makes a difference to reading the armchair experts on the net. One more point on the messengers, compared to the PLB's is they have to be recharged regularly. Many may find this no problem but it does make them a deal less foolproof. Excellent to see/hear Ori's perspective. Well done all.

[@OutbackMike]

Thank you. Yes. A tracker can go flat. My Zoleo has a very good battery life though. I can send a couple of ‘OK’ messages a day for many weeks without a recharge but it is something to consider.

[@fixitdude74]

Can’t stress how important it is to check weather well ahead of travelling up this end of SA, we had barely 30mm of rain at marla, places further around and down the Oodnadatta track had well above 50mm, just to put it into perspective it only takes 10mm to turn firm ground to bog.

[@nordic5490]

Not to mention they were not even driving on the track - they were driving parallel to, and approx 20m from the track. In my job as surveyor all over Northern SA and all the NT, we did approx 90k kms pa, and often on tracks under water. Every one out bush should know that the track, no matter how muddy it looks, is the hardest ground.

[@davidmonsigneur7384]

Thank you so much very informative and great to know

[@kerrycameron6187]

Great to hear the story straight from Ori with all the extra footage and pics. Sounds like they were well prepared and knew what they were doing, just bad luck with the weather. Really interesting!

[@OutbackMike]

Thanks Kerry😎

[@nordic5490]

I was a surveyor all over Northern SA and most of the NT, for several years. Yes, we did get stuck many times, and also had to use the winch about once a month, but, it was just us - one vehicle (either GU Patrol or 80 series). We has to get our selves out, and do our own repairs. We drove about 90k kms a year, in all weather. Yes, plenty of times the track was completely underwater. Blacksoil plains in the NT was the biggest risk. We have work collegues who left trucks and cars out on black spoil plains for an entire wet season - the wet came early, and once those blacksoil wheel ruts are full of water, you are not going anywhere until the dry. Was stuck on a salt pan - many hours of road building to get our selves out. Anyhows, when it comes to driving in remote areas and being bogged, getting our selves out without help, been there, done that. 2 questions abput this event: 1 - Why weren't they on the road ? Several camera angles shows their truck was driven 20ms off and parallel to the road. Any bushie will tell you that even the muddiest, water logged track, is still vastly harder and better to drive on than the boggy ground next to the track. On the track, under the surface mud is a harder base. Of the track, as they were, there is no base. 2 - why were they rescued ? They weren't in imminent danger, and had supllies. A couple of more weeks there would have served as a good lesson to others, and would not have hurt them. In my mind, by rescuing them, the wrong message was sent. The bush should be respected - people are getting soft imo. Sure, we had a HF radio to call the RFDS is we needed to, but never used it for breakdowns or when getting bogged. And everyone on the HF could listen in !! So we rarely used it. If you drive in remote areas, the expectation used to be, that you were self sufficient. One day a bolt fell put of our steering.... cruising 50kmh on a sandy track with suddently no steering (due to incorrect dealer repairs). After a couple of hours we found the bolt on the track, but not the nut. So... we wired it all up the best we could (fencing wire) and drove back to Alice. And plenty more. Even if we had an epirb, we wouldn't have used it - unless, eg, we rolled the car, and one of us was injured. Im sure all the other bushies are scratching their heads about this episode. Btw, great weather prediciton resources are available online now, and a cursory check would have given the heads up on weather. We had to carefull watch the weather, and regularly ring the highways dept, to make sure we werent going to chew up 'closed' roads - a massive fine if we did. Those 'road closed' signs dont mean anyting. We always called ahead. - why were they driving of the track ? - why were they rescued ? - why weren't they keeping across the weather ? (Btw, this is not so important - wet weather and boggy roads rarely lasts more than 1-2weeks in outback SA)

[@diceblue6817]

Very cool! thanks!!!! Imagine, 5 days... damn. thankful they are all ok