What to Do If You Get Lost in the Woods
With the news that Hawaiian tourist Amanda Eller has been found alive after being lost for 17 days , it’s worth considering what to do if you find yourself alone and lost in the desert. According to early news reports, Eller did a lot of things right. CNN reports: “She picked berries and guava to eat when she could find them. She only drank water when it was clear enough and looked like it wouldn’t make her worse. She took care of her sore knee and treated the sunburn so badly that it got infected. “
Whether you are injured or hopelessly lost, survival in the wild depends largely on waiting for rescue without making your situation worse. If you are in good shape, you may be able to find your own way out. The tricky part is understanding the difference.
Stop and think
Once you realize you’re lost, remember the classic STOP survival mnemonic:
- Stop . Sit down. Do not panic. Stay put.
- Think about it . What do you know about your situation and whereabouts? The US Forest Service advises : “Don’t move at all unless you have a specific reason to take a step.”
- Watch . Gather information that will help you understand where you are. Do you have a map and a compass? Are there signs for trail crossings?
- Plan . Consider your options and choose one. Maybe you should continue on the path or turn back the way you came. If you are injured or it is nightfall, it is best to stay put.
Plan ahead
By the time you get lost, it’s obvious that it’s too late to plan ahead, but most of you are probably reading this out of curiosity rather than googling in the middle of the wilderness. (In the latter case, call 911 while your phone still has a signal and is low on battery.)
Things to consider:
- Tell someone where you are going. For a big trip, send detailed information to a few people. For a quick walk through the woods, write to at least one friend or family member to let them know where you are going.
- Bring the necessary rescue equipment , including first aid items, a shelter, flashlight, and sunscreen.
- Be able to communicate in emergencies. Your phone (plus your backup battery) is the start. Consider using emergency beacons or satellite messengers if you spend a lot of time in the countryside.
Know how lifeguards work
If you need to be rescued, it is helpful to know how the rescue process works. Outside, there is a good exposition here . Authorities usually start by calling 911 from someone who suspects you are missing and then gathering information to find out if you really got lost in the woods or just left town without telling anyone.
Then they start looking. Even if your phone is off, cell towers can ping you to try to determine your location. The search engines will have a description of what you were wearing and where you might have been. They will start searching the area based on the analysis of the area and what the people in your role (skier, hunter, etc.) usually do.
The good news is that 97% of missing persons in the desert are found in the first 24 hours. The bad news is that if you cannot be found at this time, there is usually a reason, such as being stuck in a place where you are difficult to see. However, even complex rescue operations are sometimes successful, so try to plan ahead, and if you do get lost, think clearly and don’t panic.