Outdoor Survival Tip – What To Do If You Get Lost While Going Hiking

Anybody who has ever hiked knows what it feels like to be lost at some point, even if temporarily. When traveling the wilderness by foot, there are several ways by which you can end up steering yourself off course. Most of the time, though, you probably find your way rather quickly, and resume your adventure. But what if you get really lost? What happens if you get so lost that you are overwhelmed by a sense of fear? It is a situation that nobody wants to be in, but it does happen. The good news is that there are a number of things that you can do to ensure your renewed sense of direction, and hence, your safe return out of the wilderness.

First, it is very wise for you to take every precautionary measure you can to make sure you do not get lost in the first place. It does sound overly simple, but hikers often get lost due to poor planning. Be sure that you take a map with you. Make sure that it is an updated map, as trails and landmarks often change. Bring two compasses with you. Many hikers have doubted their compass, so it is a good idea to have another one to compare it to. If they are both saying the same thing, trust them! If you have no prior experience with a compass, you can most likely find out all that you need to know at a local community center or outdoor store. Before you embark on your journey, you need to study a map of the area you will be traveling. Get to know the trails, streams, and mountains that will make up the land you are traveling. It is also vitally important to tell someone you know that you are going to be hiking. This is important because it ensures that someone will notice your absence if you are lost for an extended period of time. You do not want to be missing without someone knowing that you are missing! Tell your family or friends exactly where you are going, and how long you plan to be there.

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As you hike, take notice of all of the topography around you. Pay attention to ridges, summits, rivers, etc. These natural reference points just may end up saving your life. Again, make good use of your map and compasses. You have them, so use them. If you find yourself even the slightest bit unsure of where you are, access your map. Hikers often dig themselves a deeper hole by thinking that they can fix the situation on their own. Use the tools that you bring with you. If you do find that you are becoming disoriented, stop. Take out your map and search your surroundings for a familiar landmark. Most of the time, people are able to regain their sense of direction by taking five minutes to study their map and surroundings. Five minutes is all it can take to prevent the situation from escalating into a more serious, dangerous matter.

As soon as you realize you have strayed off your route, don’t go any further. Try to stay close to the area you told people you would be. This will help the rescuers find you later on. Remember to S.T.O.P. – stop, think, observe and plan. Once you decide on a course of action, stick with it. Now is not the time to be distracted; you must retain focus and remain steady. Going off in different directions will only endanger you further. Panic uses up much needed energy you should save for later on. If you can’t find any familiar landmarks after backtracking, then stay where you are. Try shouting or blowing a whistle at timed intervals to alert rescuers to your location.

Preparation and forethought are the keys to any successful venture. Take the right steps before you set foot outside the door, and you will have increased the odds in your favor should you get lost. Stay calm and know that you can handle the situation to the best of your ability. Knowing what to do and how to do it will make your hiking experience an enjoyable one.