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
- 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."
- 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.
- 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").
- 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."
- 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."