Every year, more than 600,000 people get lost in the woods while hiking, with most cases occurring in June through September in mid-afternoon. People can get lost for a variety of reasons, from wandering off the trail to get a selfie to running away, emotionally upset. Just because you’re lost doesn’t mean your situation is hopeless. Almost everyone lost is found within the first twenty-four hours. Here are some tips you’ll need to know to ensure your rescue happens as quickly as possible.
Calm Down
Getting lost can be a highly stressful situation. The first thing you need to do when you realize you are lost is to stop and take some deep breaths to relax. Panic is your greatest enemy and will probably cause you to become more lost than you were five minutes ago. Observe your surroundings, going over in your mind how you ended up there. You have a higher chance of being rescued quickly if you stay near the spot where you were last seen because this is where they’ll start their search.
Making An Itinerary
Before any outdoor adventure, you should draft an outline about where you are going and when you plan to be home from a trip. This outline is called an itinerary. Your itinerary should explain the routes you are taking when you’ll reach certain landmarks, etc... Leave a copy of it with someone who is not going on the trip like a trusted friend or nearby family member. This is the person who will alert authorities if something goes wrong on your trip.
Just In Case
Nobody plans to get lost, but you should pack like you will be. See what the weather forecast on the trails is going to be to dress accordingly. Carry basic essentials like a water purifier, sunscreen, a flashlight, a first aid kit, a fire starter, and 72 hours’ worth of food. Park Rangers have trail maps available for free or a small fee to hikers visiting the park. Get one before heading into the woods, as GPS has a tendency to not work in spotty Wi-Fi zones.
Sounding The Alarm
The search begins with a report made to 9-1-1. Rescuers will then put together a lost person profile by calling friends and family, visiting known addresses, and confirming where they were last seen. Once it is determined that you are lost, they’ll start a rough search of the area where you were last seen. This first phase will take 2-3 hours. After that, Search And Rescue (SAR) Members will set up an incident command center where they’ll use statistical data to create likely scenarios as to why you got lost in the first place to fan their search out.
All Alone
After careful consideration, and you are 100% sure you can try to find your way back by yourself, or self-rescue. 23% of lost people are found doing just that. If you do decide to do this, here is some advice for you. Stop and rest when you are feeling tired. You don’t want to injure yourself pushing your body beyond its limits. Also, rest for 30 minutes after eating. Stay hydrated by never rationing water. Fix minor problems before they become big ones.
Signaling For Help
If you hear rescue nearby, don’t start screaming. Your voice can carry and echo, sending them in multiple different directions. Instead, use a mirror to reflect sunlight into their eyes. Blow a whistle in three short bursts at a time. Add green plants to a fire to make heavy smoke. Go to a clearing and lay out a brightly colored tarp to let searching helicopters know where you are. If you do decide to self-rescue, consider leaving a trail behind so you can find your way back if things become too much. It’ll also give SAR Members a trail to follow to find you.
About the Creator
M.L. Lewis
Welcome to my little slice of pie. This blog will primarily focus on prepping and homesteading skills with a sprinkle of fiction every now and then.
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