Outdoor and wilderness emergencies¶
When an emergency happens in the backcountry, help may be hours or days away. These guides provide clear, prioritized instructions based on national park service, mountain rescue, and wilderness first responder standards.
If you are lost or injured in the wilderness right now: Stop moving immediately. Sit down, stay calm, and conserve your body heat and water. Do not wander unless you are in immediate physical danger from rockfall, rising floodwater, or wildfire.
Emergency guides in this section¶
- Lost while hiking or camping: The STOP protocol, signaling search and rescue teams, building an emergency shelter, and water prioritization.
- Bear and wildlife encounters: Key differences between black bear and grizzly bear responses, using bear spray, and mountain lion safety.
- Wilderness hypothermia and cold exposure: Identifying early symptoms, safe rewarming methods, and emergency snow shelters.
- Desert dehydration and heat survival: Rationing sweat instead of water, finding shade, and avoiding daytime exertion in extreme heat.
- Stranded in a vehicle during a blizzard: Carbon monoxide prevention, staying with your vehicle, and managing fuel and body heat.
- Camping flash flood emergency: Recognizing sudden rising water in canyons or campsites and reaching high ground safely.
Essential rules for backcountry safety¶
- Always leave a trip plan: Tell a trusted friend or family member exactly where you are going, your planned route, and when you will return before entering remote areas.
- Carry the ten essentials: Always carry navigation tools, illumination, sun protection, first aid supplies, a knife, fire starter, shelter, extra food, extra water, and extra clothes.
- Respect changing weather: Mountain and desert weather can change drastically within minutes. Turn back early if conditions deteriorate.