Getting lost can be deadly.
Say you’re out for a walk in the woods, lost in thought, admiring the wild flora and fauna. Time passes like a blur. Suddenly, you don’t recognize your surroundings. Nor can you tell the direction from which you’ve come. With only a few hours until sunset, you don’t have any tools to help you find your bearings. You’re lost.
How can you survive – even without a map or compass? Here’s the good news: You don’t need to be a survival expert to find your way back to civilization. Just stay calm and remember these five tips.
Use the STOP Method
- (S) Stay Calm: Panic is your worst enemy, so take a few deep breaths to calm down. The last thing you should do is hurry off in a haphazard direction, as this may add to your anxiety.
- (T) Think: Were you traveling in a straight line or were there a lot of twists and turns? Did you pass any familiar spots or other people? Were you traveling north, south, east, or west? Try to answer these questions, as any bit of information can be useful.
- (O) Observe: Can you determine which direction is north? How long will your food and water last? Can you see any obvious landmarks? Do you see any footprints, and if so, in which direction are they headed? Try to find any clue that might help to lead you back to your original footpath.
- (P) Plan: Determine which direction you should walk – but do so with caution. Mark your progression with rocks, cairns, or piles of sticks. If you don’t find your way, you can always return to the point where you first realized you were lost.
If the STOP method does not get you back on the right trail, keep calm. There are other ways to find your way back to civilization.
2. Pinpoint Your Location
3. Look (and Listen) for Signs of People
4. If Possible, Stick to Open Country
5. Travel Downhill
Getting lost while in the wilderness is not a fun experience, but it is something you can avoid. Just be prepared every time you go out for a hike. No matter how long you plan to be out, you should always have necessary items in your backpack. At minimum, bring plenty of food and water, a hand-held GPS unit, a space blanket, a first aid kit, and a map and compass.