Communications Planning

Emergency Communication Plan (ECP)

In the 2026 travel landscape, relying solely on cellular roaming is a dangerous gamble. An ECP is a formal agreement between you and a "Home Base Contact" (HBC) that establishes how you will stay in touch and what happens if you don't.

1. The Technology Hierarchy

• Satellite Messenger (inReach / Zoleo): Essential for 2-way SMS via the Iridium network. Allows you to "ping" your location daily.
• PLB (Personal Locator Beacon): A dedicated 406MHz distress beacon with no subscription required. Use only in "life-or-limb" emergencies.
• Starlink Mini: Provides high-speed data for complex problem solving or medical tele-consults in remote areas.
• Local SIM Cards: Always the first line of defense for standard updates, but never to be relied upon for safety in the bush.
• Radio: VHF and UHF Radios are of limited range and are really only useful for local communications, CB radio is a little better but should not be relied upon for long range SHTF comms.

2. The Trip Intentions Protocol (The "Float Plan")

A search-and-rescue (SAR) operation is only as effective as the "search box" you provide. Before leaving cell range, send a formal **Trip Intentions** update to your HBC.

The "Five Pillars" of a Route Update

1. The Route Detail: Don't just list a destination. Detail the specific tracks.
   • Example: "Taking the Old Gascoyne Road via the Rabbit Proof Fence track, not the paved Murchison Hwy."
2. Vehicle Description: Make, model, color, and license plate. Mention distinctive features like a specific roof-top tent or bright recovery boards, as these are what pilots look for.
3. Passenger Manifesto: List everyone on board and any critical medical conditions (e.g., "Two adults, one is an asthmatic with a 2-week inhaler supply").
4. The "Overdue" Time: The exact time your contact should worry.
   • Example: "If you don't hear from me by 10 PM Tuesday, wait 12 hours. If still no word by 10 AM Wednesday, notify local police."
5. Communication Windows: Tell them when you plan to be active.
   • Example: "Will send a 'Checking In - OK' satellite message every evening between 6 PM and 8 PM."

3. If You Are Stranded: The Survival Rules

• STAY WITH THE VEHICLE: This is the #1 rule of desert survival. A vehicle is a massive target for air searches, provides shade, and holds your water. Never "walk for help" unless you can see it.
• The "Dead Man's Switch": If you miss your "Hard Deadline," your HBC must assume you are incapacitated. They should provide your Last Known Location (LKL) to the authorities immediately.
• Ground-to-Air Signals:
  • Use a signal mirror or a CD to flash at planes.
  • Use the "Three Signal" Rule: Three of anything (whistle blasts, fire smoke plumes, mirror flashes) is the international distress signal.

4. Trip Plan Template (Copy/Paste)

Give this to your contact before every leg:

VEHICLE:
  VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL:                                  [Make/Model]
  VEHICLE COLOUR                                       [Color]
  VEHICLE REG/PLATE                                    [Registration Plate]
  VEHICLE FEATURES:                                    [Distinguishing Features of the vehicle (to aid Identification]
  FUEL CONSUMPTION/TANK RANGE: ____MPG/_____MILES      [Use l/100km and km if applicable] 
 
TRAVELLERS: 
  DRIVER NAME:                                         [Names & Health Notes]
  PASSENGER1:                                          [Names & Health Notes]
  PASSENGER2:                                          [Names & Health Notes]
  PASSENGER3:                                          [Names & Health Notes]
  PASSENGER4:                                          [Names & Health Notes]

COMMS
  SAT-PHONE/MESSENGER ID:                              [Device ID]
  CELL NUMBER:                                         [Mobile Number]
  RADIO FREQUENCY:                                     [MHz AM/FM or Channel/Standard]

CHECK-IN CONTACT:
  CI NAME:                                             [Check-in Contact Person]
  CI TELEPHONE:                                        [Country Code + Full Telephone Number]
  CI EMERGENCY WORD:                                   [Pick a word to say if you are NOT OK]

EMERGENCY CONTACT:
  EC NAME:                                             [Emergency Contact Person]
  EC TELEPHONE:                                        [Country Code + Full Telephone Number]
  EC ALT TEL:                                          [Mobile]
  EC ADDRESS:                                          [Emergency Contact's Home Address]
  EC RELATIONSHIP:                                     [Who are they to you?]
  EC EMAIL:                                            [Emergency Contact eMail]

TRIP PLAN
STARTING LOCATION:                                   [Current Location]
  STARTING DATE   __/__/__ AM/PM                       [Day/Time to call for help]
  FUEL PLAN OUT: DISTANCE:____ML/KM  FUEL REQ_____G/L.  [Use km / l if applicable.]

WAYPOINT1:                       DATE:__/__/__ AM/PM [Waypoint / Expected Date & Time]
  CHECK-IN1 TIME: __:__                                [Arranged Check-in Time]
  FUEL PLAN1: DISTANCE:____ML/KM  FUEL REQ_____G/L.    [Use km / l if applicable.]

WAYPOINT2:                       DATE:__/__/__ AM/PM [Waypoint / Expected Date & Time]
  CHECK-IN1 TIME: __:__                                [Arranged Check-in Time]
  FUEL PLAN2: DISTANCE:____ML/KM  FUEL REQ_____G/L.    [Use km / l if applicable.]

WAYPOINT3:                       DATE:__/__/__ AM/PM [Waypoint / Expected Date & Time]
  CHECK-IN1 TIME: __:__                                [Arranged Check-in Time]
  FUEL PLAN3: DISTANCE:____ML/KM  FUEL REQ_____G/L.    [Use km / l if applicable.]

DESTINATION:                     DATE:__/__/__ AM/PM [Target Destination and date]
  CHECK-IN1 TIME: __:__                                [Arranged Check-in Time]

PREDICTED TRIP LENGTH:  _____DAYS                    [How long should the trip take in total?]

HARD DEADLINE:  __/__/__   __:__                     [When you must have checked-in by before alarm is raised]
  MISSED CHECK-IN ACTION:                              [e.g."If 24 hours pass without a check-in, contact local authorities."]

SUPPLIES:
  WATER: TRAVELLERS ____ x 1GALLON x (DAYS ____ + 2) = ______ Gal.
  FOOD: TRAVELLERS ____ x ______ DAYS OF RATIONS @2500kC/Day = _____RATION PACKS
  SUPPLEMENTS:TRAVELLERS ____ x ______ DAYS OF SUPPLEMENTS
  MEDS: EACH TRAVELLERS x ______ DAYS OF PERSONAL MEDICINES

EQUIPMENT:
  MEDICAL KIT
  RECOVERY KIT
  TOOLs
  SPARES KIT
 
Note: Fuel Required = 'Miles to waypoint' ÷ MPG

1. Enhanced Vehicle Details

Standard make and model are great, but in a search scenario (especially from the air), visual identifiers are everything.

Distinctive Features: Roof racks, awnings, recovery boards (color), or specific decals.

Tires: Brand and tread type (helps SAR identify your tracks if they find a "Y-split" in the road).

Recovery Gear: Do you have a winch, Maxtrax, or a hi-lift jack?

2. Survival & Equipment Checklist

If you go missing, rescuers need to know your "stay-put" capacity.

Water Supply: Total liters/gallons on board.

Food Supply: Days of rations.

Shelter: Are you sleeping in the vehicle, a rooftop tent, or a ground tent? (This tells rescuers what to look for if you’ve abandoned the vehicle).

Medical Kits: Level of medical training (e.g., Basic First Aid vs. EMT) and location of the kit in the vehicle.

3. Communication "Check-In" Protocol

Your plan currently has a "Hard Deadline," which is vital, but a Scheduled Comms Window can prevent an early panic.

Check-in Interval: "Will message via Sat-Phone every night by 8:00 PM."

Missed Check-in Action: "If 24 hours pass without a check-in, contact local authorities."