A top bush survival expert has revealed the extraordinary survival instincts that likely saved a missing German backpacker who was miraculously found alive after 12 days lost in the unforgiving Western Australian outback.
Carolina Wilga, 26, vanished last month when her van became bogged in remote bushland, 35km from the nearest track, sparking a massive land and air search.
Now tracker Jake Cassar says her survival beat the incredible odds stacked against anyone lost in the outback, where mosquitoes are more dangerous than dingoes – and even crying can kill you.
But a spare tyre could mean the difference between life and death, he said.
‘The biggest threat for Carolina would have been hypothermia,’ Mr Cassar told Daily Mail Australia.
‘If she had been caught in a shower and got wet, she may not have survived the night.
‘Next is dehydration. Don’t worry about food, you can go a month without food, but water is essential.
‘You should be able to survive three days without it, but if it’s hot you won’t, and if it’s cold you won’t and even if you cry too much, your tears will dehydrate you faster.’
Carolina Wilga broke her silence on her amazing survival from her hospital bed on Monday
Survivalist Jake Cassar says Ms Wilga’s remarkable survival beat the incredible odds stacked against anyone lost in the unforgiving outback
A member of the public found Wilga limping along a bush track near where her van was found
After a week-long air and land search, WA Police discovered Ms Wilga’s Mitsubishi Delica van abandoned in the Karroun Hill nature reserve at 1.10pm on Thursday, about 100km north of where she was last seen.
Despite growing fears for her safety, just one day later, a member of the public found her limping along a bush track close to her van and raised the alarm.
Ms Wilga suffered minor injuries and had been ‘ravaged by mosquitoes’ but was in surprisingly good shape when found despite being barefoot in the rugged bush.
She was caught on camera with a scarf wrapped around one injured foot and the other still bare as she got into a plane that airlifted her to Royal Perth Hospital.
According to Mr Cassar, common misconceptions about the dangers of the Australian bush often lead people astray.
While most fear notorious Australian wildlife like snakes and dingoes, he says mosquitoes and sandflies can pose a far greater threat.
‘Unless you are injured or trapped under your car or something like that, a dingo isn’t going to be too much of an issue,’ he said.
‘You should stomp as you walk to alert snakes, but being bitten by mosquitoes or sandflies is more problematic.
According to Mr Cassar, common misconceptions about the dangers of the Australian bush often lead people astray (Ms Wilga’s bogged van is pictured)
Jake Cassar (pictured) says maintaining mental clarity and morale is just as important as shelter and water
Carolina Wilga suffered minor injuries and was ‘ravaged by mosquitoes’
‘If you get bitten badly, it stresses you out — and stress leads to dehydration and drags your morale down.’
Mr Cassar says maintaining mental clarity and morale is just as important as shelter and water.
‘It’s well documented that if your stress levels are going through the roof, if you’re playing out the worst-case scenario and wondering if you’re going to be found, it only gets worse physically,’ Mr Cassar said.
‘You need to stay even. Celebrate your wins. If you find water, that’s a win, let that feel good. Keep positive.
‘But at the same time don’t pretend it’s not happening, just don’t allow it to break you mentally.’
Even after her rescue though, Ms Wilga’s ordeal isn’t over.
On Monday, Ms Wilga broke her silence from her hospital bed as she recovered from her ordeal to thank everyone in involved in her incredible rescue and survival.
But the aspiring yoga instructor has now become the target of cruel online trolls, with critics questioning the story of her survival and why she left her vehicle.
Ms Wilga was last seen on CCTV footage at a service station and a general store, about 100km from where the van was later found
She had filled up with fuel at Toodyay in the WA Wheatbelt region the day before she was last seen 35km away at Beacon before vanishing
The van was found bogged in mud at Karroun Hill Nature Reserve on Thursday
‘I can smell a Netflix deal, everyone knows you stay with your car,’ said one. ‘I bet there is a book and TV show announcement soon,’ added another.
But despite the backlash, Mr Cassar says her experience highlights the very real dangers of Australia’s outback and how defying the rules saved her.
‘She went to get water and managed to find a puddle, which probably kept her alive so it was the right thing to do, but it looks like she got lost or disorientated after,’ he said.
‘She should have left markers, like sticks or rocks to find her way back to the vehicle.
‘Staying with the car means you are easier to find and you can help the search party too.
‘Starting a fire nearby will help you keep warm and make you more visible for people to spot you from the air.’
And when all else fails, he says one simple but powerful tool could save your life.
‘If you’re in a desperate situation, set fire to the spare tyre,’ he said. ‘It’s rubber, it’s flammable, and the thick black smoke can be seen from kilometres away.’
Carolina Wilga, 26, vanished after her van became bogged in remote bushland sparking a massive land and air search
Mr Cassar teaches his Bushcraft survival course on the NSW Central Coast and said it is essential for anyone planning on travelling in remote areas to learn the basics of bush food and safety.
‘People should do a basic survival course before they go on these trips and it should be mandatory in all schools,’ he warns.
‘The amount of times I get called out to help with searches and it’s too late.
‘You don’t hear about that so much but unfortunately that’s more common.’
Jake Cassar’s top survival tips if you’re lost in the bush
Stay with your vehicle
If you have to leave to search for water you should walk in a straight line as far as you can, marking your path with rocks and sticks to ensure you can retrace your steps. If you don’t find any, then repeat the process in a different direction.
Signal Mirror
If you don’t have a mirror then rip off the wing mirror or rear vision mirror and take it somewhere where you can see the sun.
Move the mirror until until you catch a reflection on a tree or rock, then adjust it to signal aircraft, especially if you see a helicopter.
Make a fire
A fire is essential to keeping warm and attracting attention with smoke. Be careful and clear a space and make a ring of rocks to contain it if possible. Your spare tyre will catch alight quickly but keep your distance in case it explodes.
Shelter
If you become lost while walking and do not have a vehicle, try to find shelter. A cave will help protect you and and help regulate your body temperature.
Leave a trail
If you have to leave your vehicle, make sure you can find your way back to it again. Leave rocks at the foot of trees or put sticks in the ground.
If rescuers find your vehicle, this trail will also help lead them to your new location.
