Nobody wants to think about emergencies on a family holiday, but RV travel – particularly in regional and remote Australia – can place you a long way from medical help or reliable phone reception. The families who handle unexpected situations best aren’t the lucky ones; they’re the ones who prepared before they left.
Build a family first aid kit
A standard first aid kit is a great starting point, but families travelling with children should include a few extra essentials:
- Children’s paracetamol and ibuprofen in age-appropriate doses
- Children’s antihistamine for bites, stings and mild allergic reactions
- An EpiPen (or two) if required, with every adult knowing how to use it
- Tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers
- Thermometer
- Wound closure strips and antiseptic cream
- Blister treatment
- Regular prescription medications, plus a few extra days’ supply
- Emergency contacts written on paper and stored inside the kit
Check your kit before every trip, replacing expired medications and updating children’s doses as they grow.
KNOW WHERE YOU ARE
When travelling remotely, being able to tell emergency services exactly where you are can save valuable time.
When you arrive at a campsite, note the property’s name, nearest town and your GPS coordinates.
It’s also worth having more than one way to communicate in an emergency:
Emergency+ app – This free app displays your GPS coordinates, making it easier to relay your location to a Triple Zero operator. It still requires mobile reception to place a call but is invaluable when you have signal.
UHF CB radio – A practical addition for regional travel. Channel 40 is monitored by truck drivers and many travellers, allowing you to call for assistance or receive road condition updates without mobile coverage.
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – A PLB requires no phone signal or subscription. When activated, it sends a distress signal via satellite to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), who coordinate rescue efforts. It’s one of the best safety investments for remote travel.
Satellite phone or communicator – Devices such as the Garmin inReach allow two-way communication almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky, enabling you to contact emergency services or family when mobile coverage isn’t available.
Think of it as layers: Emergency+ when you have reception, UHF while travelling, and a PLB or satellite communicator when you’re truly off the grid.
TEACH CHILDREN WHAT TO DO
Even young children can learn basic emergency information.
Every child should know:
- Their full name
- Their parents’ or carers’ names
- Australia’s emergency number: 000
- How to describe where they are
- To stay where they are if lost and seek help from a safe adult, such as park staff or another family
Practise these skills regularly and make it fun rather than frightening.
HAVE A ‘IF WE GET SEPARATED’ PLAN
Busy caravan parks, beaches and tourist attractions can quickly become confusing.
At every new destination, choose a simple meeting point, such as reception, your RV or another obvious landmark.
For younger children, consider a wristband with your mobile number written on it. For older children, discuss where to go and who to approach if they can’t find you.
KNOW WHEN TO CALL 000
In a life-threatening emergency, call 000 immediately. Emergency services are experienced at coordinating responses in remote areas and can often get help to you faster than attempting to drive yourself.
Call 000 for:
- Snake or funnel-web spider bites
- Signs of anaphylaxis
- Heat stroke
- Serious head injuries or loss of consciousness
- Severe bleeding that won’t stop
For less serious issues, provide first aid, use a telehealth service if available, and travel to the nearest medical centre when it’s safe to do so.
FAMILY EMERGENCY CHECKLIST
Before you leave, make sure you have:
□ A stocked and up to date first aid kit
□ Children’s medications and an EpiPen if required
□ Emergency contacts stored inside your first aid kit
□ A registered PLB or satellite communicator for remote travel
□ Campsite details and route information downloaded
□ GPS coordinates recorded at each campsite
□ Children who know their name, 000 and the family meeting point
□ A ‘we get separated’ plan discussed at every stop
□ Contact wristbands for younger children
Emergencies are uncommon, but preparing for them is one of the best ways to protect your family. A little planning before you hit the road means that if the unexpected happens, everyone knows what to do – and you can get back to enjoying your adventure with greater peace of mind.
