Basic Vehicle Recovery

Stuck in the bush? Learn how to snatch or winch yourself free

First and foremost, don’t lose your cool. Stay calm and think clearly… When you find yourself in a situation that you can’t get out of, remember to stop, assess and then act.

Firstly – know when to stop. Don’t try to be a hero; man (or woman) up and immediately stop accelerating once you know you’re stuck. The more you accelerate, the bigger the mess, the deeper the hole and the harder it will be to get up and running again.

Secondly – get out and assess the situation. Are you stuck because you lost traction or is it because you don’t have enough ground clearance?

Snatch or Winch?

Check how you’re stuck and if there are any obstacles hindering a speedy recovery. Can the vehicle be snatched out or will it need winching? Will it need chocking to prevent it from rolling backwards or forwards? And finally, once you have assessed the situation from all angles, act safely and sensibly. Make the recovery process as easy as possible and create