Lost and Found in the Great Outdoors
Camping and hiking are wonderful ways to get close to nature.
Adventuring in the wilderness is uplifting and refreshing.
However, there is something important that every camper should
be aware of on a camping trip.
If you're heading off into a remote area, there is always the
possibility that someone, adult or child, will get lost. Prepare
everyone in your party ahead of time with the do's and don'ts of
navigation in the wilderness.
Someday you WILL become lost if you wander the backwoods long
enough. The important thing is to be prepared when it does
happen.
Have you ever heard the old adage, "Indian no lost; teepee
lost." Be at home in the woods, and you'll never be truly lost.
A night in the woods can't be too uncomfortable if you know how
to deal with the situation.
Standard advice to a lost person: Don't panic. Everyone feels
some trepidation, but never loose your sense of reason. Stop and
listen to common sense. Don't let fear take over your
sensibilities. Even experienced woodsmen have been lost, and
panicked, then lost their life after becoming disoriented,
losing their reasoning abilities to panic.
Instruct children what to do if they should become separated
from you. Give everyone a whistle to hang around their neck.
Teach a child that if he becomes lost, people will be looking
for him, and not to hide from the "strangers" that are trying to
help. Of course, they should know to be cautious around
strangers at all other times. A recent boy scout who was lost in
a Utah wilderness, stayed hidden for several days while
searchers combed the woods around him!
Make sure your child understands that he shouldn't keep
wandering when separated. Stop and wait for someone to come,
instead of wandering farther away from the searchers.
Never head into the woods with out the basics along with you.
Bring a map, compass, matches, and knife on every hike. You
never know when something unpredicted will happen.
Bring along a compass and map of the area in which you are
traveling. In these days of technology, a GPS is indispensable
on wilderness backpacking and camping trips.
Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
If you do this, rescuers will know where to start looking.
There are many ways to find your directions in the wilderness.
The most common way is to locate the North Star at night. The
wind in wilderness areas usually blows from the northwest, so
the tall pine trees will lean slightly to the southeast. This is
another way that can be quite accurate. The old folk tale about
moss on the north side of trees, can't be relied on for positive
directions, as moss can grow on all sides of a tree trunk.
Follow a stream downhill. This generally leads to civilization.
(In the US that is.) Don't walk along the immediate bank, where
there are many thickets, bog holes, side streams, and swamps.
Follow the general water flow and it will lead you out of the
woods.
When you finally realize that you are lost, stop, don't make the
search into a foot race between you and the rescuers! In most
parts of the US you can't be more than 24 hours away from
searchers, if you will just cooperate.
Sit down think things out. Build a campsite on a riverbank or
lakeshore if possible. Gather as much wood as you can before
nightfall. Try to make yourself comfortable next to your
campfire throughout the night.
The next morning is the time to go about getting yourself
rescued. Gather up a large armful of green branch and pile them
on your campfire. The smoke will billow into the air, making it
simple for searchers to find you. Don't build more fires, just
keep the one you have billowing smoke into the air. Sooner or
later the forest service will see the smoke, and come to check
out what's happening. Wave a piece of clothing (preferably
light-colored) to signal that you are unhurt. Even if the plane
leaves, stay put. They are probably radioing to the ground crew
your location.
Stay by your fire, even when you hear people approaching. It's
dangerous to leave the fire blazing. Also, the sounds in the
woods can be deceiving. You may just be running in the opposite
direction of the searchers if you head off after voices. Give
them a chance to find you. If you have a gun, fire a shot. If
not, shout loudly.
Getting lost can happen to anyone, even experience backpackers.
The most important thing, is to stay sensible and help yourself
by helping the searchers find you.
True wilderness survival is a matter of prevention and
preparation. If you are prepared every time you enter the woods,
you'll never be caught unprepared. Then you can enjoy the
wilderness fully, be confident and even if you get lost, it's
just another adventure!