Landroving 122

Some of the dunes with their sharp Bohlen(1909).
crests, curving in waves, and with Ships were used to transport
deep shadow on one side, are just
transfixing. You feel you want to stop
and look at them for hours.

During any stops made, as for lunch, The wreck of the Eduard Bohlen
the Ostrich Wing awning once again diamonds from Sandwich harbour,
proved its worth. Conception, and Meob bays to
Day 4. We had views of the ocean as Swakopmund. We had lunch at
we drove along the top of the dunes, Holtz Haus, an old mining town,
before descending to sea level. with many derelict buildings and
old diamond sorting equipment. All
Reaching the Coast towns were evacuated in 1914, when
We headed for Conception Bay the Allied Invasion was expected.
(“Santa Maria da Coceicao”), an We camped near Conception Bay
Inland bay so named because in the dunes at a permanent camp
Bartholomew Diaz landed on with shower and toilet facilities, and
8 December 1487, the day of the a kitchen and dining area. Steak for
Feast of the Immaculate Conception. dinner was a nice treat.
Vast flocks of Birds and Cape Fur Camping in the dunes is a magical
Seals could be seen along the coast, experience, and climbing to the top,
as we drove on from Conception although extremely demanding, is
Bay, seeing the wreck of the Eduard so worthwhile. The views and the
silence, under a setting sun, are just
unforgettable. Only two of us did
it. When coming down the dune on
your bum, an amazing, loud hum/
rumbling noise, is created, which was
a really novel experience. Everyone
in the camp below could hear this
weird noise.

51

Day 5. We had a thrilling drive on restricted time. From there we
the beach, northwards towards circumnavigated the salt pan
Sandwich Bay, with the fine semi- extensions of Sandwich Harbour.
precious garnets covering the sand, The dunes are huge and challeng-
giving it a red colour for long ing. Then into the “Roller Coaster”, a
stretches. We were taken to a special series of massive “roaring” slipfaces,
spot in the dunes which Uri offering wonderful views of the har-
Adventures use if they have time. bour, and sandscapes all the way to
Here we spent some time ”playing”: Walvis Bay.
One at a time, each vehicle drives
at full speed down a slope, and Sand waterfalls, where the steep Dunes
maintaining that speed through the are eaten away by waves
valley, takes on a really steep climb
up a really high dune. The sand is We were accommodated by Uri
fairly firm, except closer to the top, Adventures at Lagoon Chalets, and
where you don’t want to get stuck. enjoyed dinner at the Yacht Club,
Some did and had to reverse down where we said our goodbyes.
and up a bit on the slope we
descended, and charge again to make
it to the top of the dune. Not all

Having descended this dune, we head to We were certainly a very happy
Lange-wand beach crowd, and everyone got on very
well.
vehicles took on the challenge.
We continued along the coast and
past the Shawnee ship wreck and
then negotiated the Lange-wand,
where massive dunes come straight
down into the sea. This has to be
52 negotiated at low tide - a pretty short

2016 - MEMORIES

53

Christmas Weekend - Rust de Winter
By Jacques Beard

“At Christmas time, children play an Our recent weekend away was all
essential part in our celebrations.  So about the children and what a week-
much of what we do is intended to end it was. It was held at Rust de
please them--and all the while our Winter, home of the 4x4 ATV club,
hearts keep hearkening back to the and was well attended. Mommies,
Christmas memories of our own child- Daddies, Grandmas and Grandpas
hoods.  On Christmas Eve, sometimes all came together for the sake of
we can’t help but envy our children the the children. Many members set up
stars in their eyes, especially when our camp on Friday night at the start of
own eyes are dull with exhaustion.    a well-organised weekend (thanks,
Christmas is so much simpler for a Lizette). We were awoken on
child.  Can we open our tired, adult Saturday morning to the sound of
eyes to that same simplicity?” children playing outside, all waiting
in anticipation for Father Christmas
- Ellen Sanna to arrive.

54 Later in the
afternoon, the
children (and adults)
boarded the Landy
train for a trip
around the camp
site, which for those

who have not been on a Christmas With the fires lit and the children
weekend with the club, consists of 4 happily playing, the adults got
open passenger cars pulled by together to socialise, one topic of
a Landy. This being one of the discussion being the Kiddies Trial
highlights of the day. Once the which was happening the next
children were back from the trip, the morning.
train left and returned a while later The annual Kiddies Trail is split
with none other than Father into two divisions: “drive on daddy’s
Christmas! There were broad smiles lap” for the young ones and the
and much excitement when he “self-drive” for the older children. A
arrived in style to hand out presents technical but safe course was laid out
to the children eagerly waiting. by Leon and his team and included
some interesting obstacles…playing
in the mud is always great fun.
Janko, our youngest “lap driver” was
only 3yrs old and our oldest self-
driver, Michael, was 12. After the
driver briefing, all vehicles were
scrutineered by the Clerk of events
in the presence of the drivers…
The children’s answers relating to
the questions on tyre pressure, the
whereabouts of recovery points and
fire extinguishers, were priceless!
Then into the mud it was and what

55

that it was more challenging than the
organisers may have thought.
a great job all the drivers did, with
Ewan Cotton eventually taking 1st
place in the “lap-drive”

Thanks to all the members who
joined us for this memorable
weekend. See you all again next year.

and Michael Beard taking 1st place “Whatever else be lost among the
in the “self-drive”. From the smiles, years, let us keep Christmas still
it appeared that the children enjoyed a shining thing: Whatever doubts
driving daddy’s (or mommy’s) Landy assail us, or what fears, let us hold
and the occasional yawn indicated close one day, remembering Its
poignant meaning for the hearts of
56 men. Let us get back our childlike
faith again.” -- Grace Noll Crowell

Wishing you all a merry Christmas
Jacques Beard (PRO)

57

Medics for the Bush
By Doc Rory Dower (Eden Chapter)

What you need in your First Aid • Medications:
Personal daily /monthly
Box Paracetamol or brufen
If possible a supply of strong
• Activated Charcoal pain tablets such as Oxynorm
• Adhesive tape – recommend 10mg caps or Temgesic
sublingual tabs for severely
micro pore to avoid allergic injured patients.
reactions to plaster adhesives. Antihistamine (Zyzal or
• Antibiotic ointment – Bactroban Telfast)
or Silbecor Epipen for serious allergic
• Alcohol swabs or Hibitane reactions like bee stings
solution for cleaning wounds Anti-nausea meds, such as;
• Band aids (assorted sizes) for Zofran or Motilium, effective
small wounds sublingually
• Thermal blanket • Blits stick for treating lacerations
• Cold pack • Face protector for mouth to
• Gloves
• Gauze pads and gauze bandage mouth respiration
• Hand cleaner / steriliser General help in certain situations
• Plastic bags to dispose of waste and/or emergencies
• Scissors and tweezers
• Flashlight or small headlamp Breathing Problems
• Triangular bandage or sling The biggest breathing problem is not
• Burn Aid Gel breathing. Blue lips usually mean
poor breathing. This patient will die
58 if you don’t fix the problem.
For a physically blocked airway

(choking), try to remove it with the
Heimlich Manoeuvre.

If the patient is already on the Another breathing problem is
ground, with abdominal thrusts or difficulty breathing, or breathing too
chest compressions, do mouth-to- fast or too slowly.
mouth ventilations and check to Check whether the patient has some
see if the patient’s chest rises. If the sort of medication, like an asthma
patient loses his pulse, start chest pump/inhaler. Get it for them. Calm
compressions immediately. Call for and reassure the patient, the more
medical help. stressed he/she is, the faster he/she
will deteriorate
Hyperventilation
is often caused by
stress or fear or
shock. Give the
patient a paper bag
to breath into until
breathing is normal
again.
A Black Mamba bite will paralyse
and stop breathing ability. This is
what kills a victim 99% of the time.
Use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation-
and you will almost certainly save his
life.

59

Bleeding you can see Bleeding you can’t see
Severe bleeding can be immediately (Internal bleeding.) This includes
life threatening. This bleeding needs bruising too. Most internal bleeding
to be stopped ASAP. Apply a pad is relatively minor, but following a
directly to the serious trauma like a car crash can
wound and result in fatal internal bleeding. There
apply very is nothing that most people can do
firm pressure. for this, besides getting the patient to
Keep pressure a hospital with an operating theatre.
until bleeding Immobilise the patient and treat for
stops. If blood shock. Calling for evacuation is what
seeps around can save a life here. Rather err on the
the pad, add side of caution.
another pad (don’t remove the first Shock
one) and continue to apply pressure. Shock can be caused by many things:
Only use a tourniquet if nothing else injury, illness, or emotional trauma.
is working. Release the tourniquet Signs of shock include an increased
slowly every few hours. heart rate, fast breathing, pale and
Moderate bleeding can also be life clammy skin, nausea, vomiting,
threatening. The same principle dilated pupils and even headache.
applies, use a pad directly on the Calm the patient down, keep him/
wound and apply pressure. If blood her rested, cool, or warm if it’s cold,
seeps around or through the pad, add sit or lie them down.
another pad, and maintain the
pressure. Use anything as a pad, such Administer sugar water only if the
as a shirt, a sock, a hat. Use injury is not very severe, and never
pressure points, (if you know them). give alcohol. Call for medical
Use elevation and immobilisation of assistance if signs of shock are noted
the affected limb. following
a medical
emergency.

60

Fractures and Dislocations Check splints regularly, swelling can
Some fractures are quite easy to cause them to cut off blood flow.
diagnose. If a limb is bent in a place, Check for a pulse or capillary refill in
or a direction that it shouldn’t the injured limb beyond the fracture
normally bend, then it’s probably or dislocation. Squeeze the tip and
broken. count how many seconds it takes for
If a joint is swollen and very painful, the “pink” to return. More than 3 or
then it’s possibly dislocated. 4 seconds is a bit slow and could be a
Never try and reduce (medical term problem.
for putting it back) a dislocation Injuries to the Eye
or straighten a fracture if you don’t Never remove anything that is stuck
have medical training in this. You into the eye-ball. Close the injured
can cause even worse damage and eye and place a dressing over it.
pain. Immobilise the dislocation or
fracture (put a splint on it and get the It’s also a good idea to close the
patient medical assistance). uninjured eye as well. Eyes move
together, and if one eye is open, they
[Bandages, will both move as the uninjured eye
clothing torn into looks around, worsening the pain.
strips, even ropes Get medical assistance.
can be used to Dust, pollens, chemicals or other
fasten splints] foreign bodies must be flushed with
clean water. Always flush away from
A few examples of items that can the good eye, or it may end up in
serve as a splint include: a stick, a sun both eyes. Rinse for as long as
visor, a rolled up blanket, tent pole. necessary. Never use anything to try
You can even tie the broken leg to and scratch something out of an eye.
the uninjured leg, and lie the If you have to try and remove an
patient down. embedded piece of dust or similar,
Broken fingers fold a piece of normal paper, and use
are immobilised
well when tied 61
together.

the edge, it will soften slightly as it disease free. Wash hands frequently.
touches the wet eye and not harm the Let diarrhoea (a runny tummy) run
eye further. for at least 24 hours before
Arc-eyes are very painful, but can be medicating. Get the bad stuff out!
relieved by placing soaked tea-bags Only then use Imodium. Stay
on the eyes and keeping them there properly hydrated. Take lots of fluids,
for a few hours. Rooibos tea works not just water, but drinks like
the best. Rehidrat sachets.
Bugs in Ears
Try shining a torch into the ear; it Nausea and Vomiting
may entice the bug to come out. Tummy problems can also cause
nausea and vomiting. Let it get out,
Put a few drops of cold cooking oil for at least 12 hours, then try
into the ear. This suffocates the bug medicating to stop the vomiting.
and will stop it from scratching the Sip very small amounts of water or
ear drum. Never try and dig it out Rehidrat. Eat plain and bland foods,
with a toothpick or rather than rich or fatty foods. If
something similar, the vomiting persists and the
as you will end up patient shows signs of dehydration,
deaf and in a lot get medical assistance.
more pain. Get
professional medical help. Dehydration
Illnesses: Dehydration is usually caused by
Stomach problems vomiting or diarrhoea, or by failing
Tummy problems are normally the to take in enough fluids. Signs and
most common illnesses in the bush. symptoms include headache,
Make sure drinking water is clean, dizziness, paleness, not urinating,
and that food is washed, fresh and urine that is dark or deep yellow, a
rapid heart-rate, fast breathing,
62 feeling hot, and also confusion or
mood changes. Cool these patients
down, give them fluids to drink, keep
them in the shade. Rehidrat sachets
work well. No alcohol, tea or coffee,
as these are
diuretics.

63

Allergies Pain and Fever
Take anti-histamine (for pollens, Panado & Brufen work for common
dust, bees or insect bites.) If you are pains and fevers, headaches,
allergic to bee-stings, make sure you arthritis, gout, muscle strains and
have your epi-pen with you at all sprains, stiff backs, toothache. Take
times, and make sure that the others ibuprofen with food, or it will mess
in your vehicle know EXACTLY how up your tummy badly.
to use it. Take general anti-histamine
pills along for those unknown itches Common Sense in the Bush
and rashes.

Malaria Don’t play with snakes & creepy
Prevention is better than cure. If crawlies when you are in the remote
caught early malaria bushveld. Don’t eat any strange
is easily treated and berries or food found in the bush.
cured within 24
hours. If left late, it
can be fatal. Malaria
kills.

IF YOU GET THE CHANCE, DO A FIRST AID COURSE -
IT MAY PROVE INVALUABLE IN THE BUSH!

64 2016/08/30 2:00 PM

Moores Auto Sales Ad_horizontal_2016\p.indd 1

Convoys , Queues and Conflict
By Neale Penman

vehicles is immune from it.

As much as we all love the feel and The principles are quite
freedom of the open road, the simple. As soon as the
reality is that travelling with friends convoy leader pulls off,
in a group has some significant he automatically creates
advantages. But travelling together a queue behind him. The
in a convoy can quickly lead to second vehicle can only
frustration. leave once the first vehicle
has moved a short distance
Classic comments go like this: away. The third guy is
The Leader: “Why can’t these guys partially asleep (no names
keep up with me?” mentioned) and only notices that
the convoy is moving a few seconds
Tail end Charlie: “Why are these guys later. So he does what all naughty
driving so fast?” people do and tries to cover for his
mistake. We’ve all done this - put foot
The people in the middle: “I need to slightly to catch the vehicle in front.
pee” and variations of the above… But there are consequences for this
action - there is now an even
Despite what you may think, no-one bigger gap behind him and the fourth
in the convoy is actually trying to person suddenly feels that the convoy
be the bad guy. The key is is moving at 140 km/h. In reality the
understanding that whenever leader is still happily tootling along
vehicles travel together they become at 100 km/h and starting to send
bound by the rules of a cute radio messages like “where are you
mathematical concept called guys?” Meanwhile our long suffering
Queuing theory. Now queuing theory Tail End Charlie hasn’t even left the
is just like gravity – no group of starting point yet and the convoy is
already in disarray.

The queue creates a wave-like 65
motion. Every action of each
individual vehicle is transmitted up
and down the convoy. I could bore
you with the equations but it’s far

more important to grasp one concept The leader can remedy this by
and one concept only - as a convoy initially driving at a slower speed to
member every action you take affects enable the queue to form nicely. This
the entire convoy. That’s it. also helps the person who may have
If you are in the middle of the been a few seconds late to start. Once
convoy and you accelerate for just a everyone has made this conscious
few seconds, you are creating a effort to leave as soon as there is a
massive problem - every vehicle safe gap between them and the
behind you must travel faster than vehicle in front of them, the queue
you to close the gap you have created. forms and then the entire convoy can
It gets worse - not only do people build momentum. A radio message
have to travel faster than you, they to this effect is helpful as convoy
also have to travel faster than the members can anticipate this instead
person in front of them. By the of waiting for the cue from the
time the Tail end Charlie is affected vehicle in front of them.
by the wave, he has to travel at Realistically, the longer the convoy
breakneck speed to close the gap. the slower the leader has to drive. So
Beyond a certain point it becomes limits on group sizes for long trips
physically impossible for the rear of really do improve everybody’s
the convoy to catch up. experience. We also need to question
So how do you improve the the need to drive “in convoy” all the
situation? time. Personally, I feel that some days
There are some basic remedies. We can be “convoy free”. This only works
all know the slowest vehicles should if everyone has a radio and a GPS
be in front, but there are other things point to get to. They can then break
to do too. Weakest bladders/most the wave and travel as individuals or
active photographers/most avid small sub groups. Of course this does
shoppers should start in front and mean you lose the relative safety and
work their way down the convoy. camaraderie of the larger group.
Once you’ve exhausted your It’s not too difficult to make a
positions then you need to “knyp”/ convoy work for everyone but
put camera away/curtail shopping. spending close on a month in Angola
Or stop the entire convoy. as a group taught us that convoys
Convoys are also more likely to break really need teamwork, respect and
right at the start. Either because the thoughtfulness. Knowing a little
leader sets off too quickly or because about queuing theory is also pretty
66 someone is not yet ready to leave. helpful.

67

68