Lost while hiking or camping¶

Realizing you no longer know where you are on a wilderness trail triggers fear and adrenaline. Following a structured survival procedure prevents panic and makes it significantly easier for search and rescue teams to find you.

Do this now: The STOP protocol¶

S - Stop: The moment you realize you are lost or off-trail, stop walking immediately. Sit down, take deep breaths, and drink a small sip of water. Continuing to walk when confused almost always leads further off-course.
T - Think: Recall where you last recognized a trail marker, landmark, or intersection. Do not attempt to backtrack unless you can clearly see the trail line right behind you.
O - Observe: Look around at your immediate environment. Check the time of day, current weather, available clothing, remaining water, and nearby natural shelter options (such as overhanging rock ledges or dense evergreen tree stands).
P - Plan: Form a calm plan. If you filed a trip plan before leaving, staying put near your last known location is almost always the safest choice because searchers will focus on your planned route.

Signaling for search and rescue¶

Use three of anything: Three whistle blasts, three mirror flashes, or three signal fires arranged in a triangle are international distress signals recognized by aircraft and rescue teams.
Blow a whistle repeatedly: A whistle carries much further than a human voice and conserves your energy. Blow three short bursts, pause for ten seconds, and repeat.
Make yourself visible: Place brightly colored clothing, an emergency space blanket, or equipment in an open clearing visible from the air.

Basic shelter and water priorities¶

Prioritize shelter over food: Exposure to cold, wind, and rain is a far more immediate threat than hunger. Build an emergency debris shelter using fallen branches and thick dry leaves before nightfall.
Insulate yourself from the ground: Ground cold drains body heat faster than air. Lay a thick layer of dry leaves, pine needles, or your backpack beneath you.
Ration water, not sweat: Drink water when thirsty, but avoid heavy exertion during hot hours to conserve body fluids. Treat natural water sources by boiling for one full minute or using water purification tablets whenever possible.