The do’s and don’ts of getting lost in the wild start at home from the packing process. Sure, you’re not planning to get lost, but you should know how to and how not to react should it ever happen. That’s the significance of being a prepper, isn’t it? Readiness to survive in all situations is our motto.
8 Do’s And Don’ts Of Getting Lost In The Wild
As mentioned, knowing what to do and what not to do when you get missing is essential. Reacting wrongly may be disastrous, so it is crucial to do the right thing when you should. This will ensure speedy rescue and keep you secure while you wait.
Packing
Don’t: pack unnecessary items. Avoid packing too many extra bottles of water or a dozen bars of chocolates. You’re not going for a year, you’ll be gone for only some hours if everything goes as planned. Isn’t it? The heavier your supplies, the more tiring you’ll become as you trek.
Do: be sure you’ve packed every necessary gear. Here’s a list of 11 essential items that you should carry when packing, especially with an eye on the possibility of getting lost:
- Waterproof Map
- Compass or GPS
- Extra clothes
- Headlamp
- Matches
- Firestarter
- Rain gear
- First-aid kit
- Food and water for one day at least.
- Water filter.
- Whistle.
Route Planning
Don’t: test your new navigational gear and skills on strange routes and on yourself. This simply means that you avoid unfamiliar roads, especially if you’re alone.
Do: take routes you’re familiar with, particularly the ones featuring elevation gain and mileage, as well as terrains that you can conveniently navigate. Start your journey with a map you can read and a functioning GPS or compass. A compass is preferable as it won’t break down for any reason; the only problem could be reading it. Again, be sure of your routes and what terrain or things you’ll come across.
Taking routes you’re very sure of or have good knowledge of will make it easy to retrace your steps if you realize that you’ve gone lost.
When Going For A Hike or Any Activity
Don’t: leave the campsite without informing anyone. I get that you may value your privacy, but except you know the terrain like the back of your hand, you must not go off without informing others of your movements.
Do: inform others that you’re going for a hike or a swim, whether family, friends, or fellow campers. Just be sure someone knows. You can just send a quick text or leave a note if you can’t find anyone when you have to go. Let them know your intended routes and expected arrival time and how long to wait before organizing a search party. Failure to inform others of your movements will leave them clueless and looking at the wrong places should anything go wrong.
When You Begin Hiking
Don’t: put all your hope in your GPS or compass. Sure, you may be hiking because you want to clear your head and may want to throw all care to caution in the hope that your GPS will lead you back to camp. But more and more people are going missing due to this. So, don’t be too relaxed as you hike away.
Do: keep an eye on the trails that you take. Watch out for landmarks and monumental structures that you come across and take note of them. Mentally note trail junctions, bridges, and boulders. Sometimes, you should turn around and hike to a junction before continuing your hike. This will ensure you aren’t left confused when returning.
When You Suspect That You’re Off Track
Don’t: keep going. You may think that you’ve only veered a little off track, but that doesn’t mean unless you’re sure. Don’t keep hiking.
Do: stop instantly you suspect that you’re lost. Look around for clues. These may include landmarks you ought to have passed but haven’t or signs that you’re off track. Try to match your present position to your topo, triangulate your location using a compass, or pinpoint your location on a GPS.
When You’re Sure That You’ve Gone Missing
Don’t: panic. Sure, you ought to be scared. It’s just you in the wilderness, but panicking will only unsettle you further, thus deriving you of your greatest weapon at that moment: the clarity of your mind.
Do: stop where you realize that you’ve gone lost. Take some moments to think. It is typical for adrenaline to kick in when you’re sure that you’ve gone missing, but acting on this rush is usually futile.
When your mind is clear, look for any sheltered spot close to where you realized you’ve gone missing. You can have a drink or a quick snack to regain energy. Consider the gear you have on, assess the weather conditions, and do a mental retrace of your movements.
Note that you can go missing anywhere. I do not limit this to hiking. Depending on how you go missing, you may still have your whole gear or nothing at all. You may get lost on your way to camp or on your way back. Just keep calm.
When Spending The Night Out
Don’t: be obsessed with finding a way home. Don’t waste precious time trying to get the correct path. Likewise, don’t walk around aimlessly.
Do: start improvising. Call out the prepper in you. You have acquired several skills, and it’s now time to put them to use. Depending on when and how you go missing, a shelter may be all you need. Sometimes, it may include a fire. Whatever it is, don’t panic. Just keep calm enough to remember your survival lessons and put all to good use.
Waiting To Be Rescued
Don’t: be hesitant to signal for help.
Do: call for help as soon as you can and in any way that you know. This can be by making a smoky fire with green leaves and sticks, blowing your whistle unrelentingly, or using a mirror to alert possible rescuers. You could try finding your way if your GPS knows the routes. Don’t sit idle doing nothing. Start working towards returning home.
Concluding The Do’s And Don’ts Of Getting Lost In The Wild
When keeping to the do’s and don’ts of getting lost in the wild, a particular element must be present; else, you’d hardly make it back home. That element is hope. Remain hopeful of rescue. Even if you don’t find a way the following day or are not rescued, avoid losing hope. By keeping your hopes alive, you can make continuous efforts towards your return home.