How Not To Get Lost | Minnesota Search and Rescue Dog Association

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HOW NOT TO GET LOST & WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET LOST?

The best defense is a good offense. There are a few basic precautions you can take before you go out exploring – especially in an unfamiliar place.

Be sure that someone else knows where you are planning to go and approximately when you expect to return. If you are going on a longer trip (i.e., 2 or more days) it is a good idea to give someone a detailed itinerary of your expected route/location on a map.
Carry basic safety items such as

water
a map of the area and a compass
a whistle - three long blasts is the signal for help and the sound carries over much further distance than your voice and requires less effort
a warmth garment and hat
small first aid kit
a butane lighter

Be sure that you are dressed for the weather. Remember the temperature can fluctuate significantly from day to night. 50◦F is cold enough for hypothermia to set in.
Carry a cell phone.

If you realize that you don’t know where you are:

STAY PUT! It is much easier for searchers to locate a stationary victim than a moving one. Also, it is less likely that you will injure yourself if you aren’t running or wandering especially at night.
If more than one person is lost or you have a dog or pet with you, stick together for warmth and companionship.
In cool weather, keep your head covered. 70-80% of body heat is lost through the head.
Try using bright colors, smoke or reflection to attract searchers.
If possible, make your waiting place near an open area so that you can move into the clearing if you see or hear searchers.

When lost for an extended period:

Remember, the basic essentials of life are water, shelter, food, rest and positive attitude.

Shelter is probably the first item to consider. Look around and see what resources are nearby that could be used as shelter materials. A small shelter is what you want because it contains the heat better than a large space. Use leaves, pine boughs or grasses to make a ‘bed’ and ‘covers’. The bed should be at least a couple of inches thick. Don’t lie on the cold ground as you will lose heat quickly.
Water is crucial. A human can generally survive about three days without water. Conserve what water you have and try to retain fluids by not exerting yourself.
Food – Do not attempt to eat mushrooms or other plants unless you are positive that you know what they are. A person can go without food for approximately three weeks, so food is going to be relatively low on the priority list at first.
Rest as much as you can. This will help you conserve your energy. Try to exert yourself as little as possible. Also, resting will give you opportunity to think, observe and plan what you can do next to increase your chances of survival.
Positive attitude is also critical. Being prepared and knowing ahead of time what to do in a survival situation will help you remain positive. Chances are, someone is looking for you.

Teach your children what to do if they get lost. (Based on The Lost in the Woods Program by Gary O’Brien)

STAY PUT! We will be looking for you.
Keep warm and keep skin covered. Don’t discard any items of clothing. Even though you may be hot now, it could get cold later.
Wear a hat.
Wait in a cozy place such as under a tree or in a hollow. Try to stay warm and dry.
Don’t hide if you hear people calling/looking for you.
Use color to call attention to your waiting place. Do not remove clothing, but put paper, money or brightly colored objects such as hair ties in trees or on rocks near your waiting place as clues for searchers.
If possible, make your waiting place near an open area. Move into the open if you hear or see searchers coming. If you hear an airplane or helicopter, lie down on the ground in the clearing and pretend to make a snow angel so the pilot can see you easier. Stand up after the craft has passed as the ground can be very cold
Except for short periods, don’t lie/sit on the bare ground. It will make you cold. Instead make a mattress as thick as the one you have at home using leaves, grasses or moss and lay or sit on that.
Stay away from water that is bigger than you. That way you cannot fall in too deep. You need water to survive. Try drinking dew from leaves or drink from a small water source.
Even though you may be hungry, don’t eat anything you are unsure of. Getting sick will make you worse off than you were when you were just hungry.