When you get lost....

Benny · 03-11-2011, 07:29 AM

Ok, I have to admit that I have gotten lost a few times. I have learned that the best thing to do is to not panic. I have also found that it is sometimes better to just backtrack than to keep moving forward. When I get back to something that looks familiar, like a pond or a certain tree, I find that I can think clearer. If I keep moving forward, I just get more disoriented.

MtMakiling · 03-11-2011, 10:28 AM

I would be scared to get lost especially if I were by myself. I get lost even in the city. In fact I've been lost several times and it's scary. I easily get disoriented so it's not advisable for me to wander alone.

Michael · 03-11-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny

I have learned that the best thing to do is to not panic.

This is key in any survival situation. When you panic you miss clues and make poor decisions.

I have found that -- after remaining calm -- another fine habit to be in is to keep track of your environment. As you move, keep track of your direction relative to the sun. Take note of sounds that come from a particular direction, like the roar of a river or the sound of distant traffic. Take note of terrain features such as high ridges or deep valleys. If you keep track of these things when you know where you are, you can use them to figure out where you are when you're lost.

Grandpa · 03-11-2011, 11:18 AM

We teach our kids to hug a tree if they get lost. They are taught as soon as they can walk, "if you suddenly don't know where mommy and daddy are, find the closest tree and give it a hug." Stay by that tree and it will be your friend until we can find you.

Chuckle; Three year old granddaughter went missing, everyone fanned out to search, found her sitting on the ground just chattering away to her friend the tree. About 200 yards from camp. She didn't want to leave her friend, So someone had to take her back every few hours so she could hug the tree again.

oldsarge · 03-12-2011, 08:01 AM

There have been cases where people who have gotten lost and panicked to the point where they lost trust in their compass and some times even the map. You are all correct in saying that staying calm is the key. Backtracking is vital to finding your way out, but this only works if have been paying attention to where you've been by looking back as you travel. The key point is to make mental notes of key terrain features and lay on the land. With practice you can can start to look for details in the big picture, look beyond the so called "wall of green"" and passed it to see rolling slopes or hills, gully's or other items that stand out. Some good points to remember is that before starting out on adventure in the woods, do a good map recon. Get an image of the area you will be in. Take note of major terrain features, roads or built up areas and what direction there in. In Panama we ran a land navigation course through the jungle, We always told the students, if you get lost and can't find your way, directly East and West are major roads, South is the river and North will bring you right back post. No matter where the guys were, if they shot a 90º, 180º, 270º or 360º it would get them out of the jungle. Of course it may be a longer walk to get to help but it beats wandering aimlessly doubting your equipment.

IndianaHiker · 03-13-2011, 07:25 PM

Oh you neewbies. Us old veterans never get lost. We may however take a unintended scenic detour to explore place that we never new existed.

Refrigerator · 03-13-2011, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaHiker

Oh you neewbies. Us old veterans never get lost. We may however take a unintended scenic detour to explore place that we never new existed.

Very true...never lost...just disorientated.

**CozInCowtown** · 03-14-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaHiker

Oh you neewbies. Us old veterans never get lost. We may however take a unintended scenic detour to explore place that we never new existed.

+1
I love that!!
You may not panic when you get lost but that would not be any fun. Running around like a chicken with its head cut off is half the fun of being lost.
The truth is there are fewer and fewer places in the US to get lost. Just keep walking downhill and you will eventually come across a road, stream, river or ocean.
If you are hurt the best advice I can think of is moove to the closest trail if possible or a large open area where you can be seen.
DC

hippieP · 03-14-2011, 03:10 PM

I think part of getting lost tends to be the fun of a trip. I have not been able to remember one time I was lost, got found and not had a good time. That could just be me though and really, who does not love a good scenic route?

Grandpa · 03-14-2011, 03:14 PM

Many a time I've tried to get lost but some dip stick finds me anyways and drags me back to the real world.