What if you get lost?
Hiking in unfamiliar
territories is an enriching and enjoyable adventure, but it carries the
inherent risk of getting lost, even for experienced trekkers. The moment you
realize you are off course, the biggest challenge shifts from confronting the
elements of nature to managing your internal reactions. Statistics show that
the success or failure of most rescue operations heavily relies on the initial decisions made by the lost individual.
This article is not a
guide on what you should do (which is typically to
Stay Put, or "STOP"), but rather a comprehensive manual on what you
must absolutely avoid, because the mistakes we make out of
fear and panic are what drain our resources and complicate the mission for
search and rescue teams.
Let's delve into the
eight most common and dangerous mistakes that must be avoided when lost in the
wilderness.
1. 🛑 Do Not Ignore the Golden Rule: Don't Move! (Unless
Absolutely Necessary)
The biggest mistake
most lost individuals make is surrendering to the primal instinct that drives
them to move quickly and haphazardly in search of trail markers
or the known path.
Why to Avoid This:
·
Draining Energy and Resources: Uncalculated movement consumes precious energy that should be
reserved for warmth or essential moments. It also increases sweating, making
you more susceptible to hypothermia.
·
Moving Away from the Point of Loss: Every step you take moves you further from
the last known point on the trail, extending the search radius and making it
harder for rescue teams to find you, especially if you shared your planned
route with someone.
·
Mental Deterioration: Moving aimlessly increases frustration and panic, robbing you
of the ability to think clearly.
The Right Alternative:
The moment you suspect
you are lost, apply the "STOP" principle (Sit, Think, Observe, Plan).
Stay in your location and designate it as your
"safe zone."
2. 🤯 Do Not Succumb to Panic or Despair
Panic is your
deadliest enemy in the wilderness. In the initial moments of realizing they are
lost, a person’s heart rate spikes, and their ability to make logical decisions
is impaired.
Why to Avoid This:
·
Poor Decisions: Panic leads to quick and reckless decisions, such as discarding
unnecessary gear (which you might need later), or attempting to cross a river
or hazardous area.
·
Tunnel Vision:
The person loses the ability to see available options, such as finding nearby
shelter or attempting to signal.
·
Emotional Expenditure: Fear and anxiety consume your mental energy and reduce your
ability to maintain the positivity essential for survival.
The Right Alternative:
Immediately dedicate
5-10 minutes to sitting down and breathing deeply.
Eat a light snack if you have one. Review what you know: When did you get lost?
What was your last direction? Regain mental control before taking any physical
step.
3. 💧 Do Not Rapidly Deplete Your Water or Food Supply
While hydration and
nourishment are crucial, squandering limited resources is a fatal mistake.
Why to Avoid This:
·
Future Need:
Rescue may be delayed, and you might desperately need water and food after 48
or 72 hours. Do not act based on the expectation of being found within a few
hours.
·
Misjudgment:
Drinking all your water at once won't make you less thirsty, but it will make
you more vulnerable to lethal dehydration later.
The Right Alternative:
·
Water: Allocate small daily
rations and conserve the rest. The first priority is to find a safe water
source and purify it.
·
Food: Humans can survive
for weeks without food, so food should be the least of your worries; use it for
small energy boosts to maintain blood sugar levels.
4. 🔦 Do Not Use Your Phone or Light Indiscriminately
Your mobile device and
light source are your most valuable tools in a lost situation, and blowing
their battery life early on is an irreparable mistake.
Why to Avoid This:
·
Loss of Communication: You might find service later or need the phone screen light to
use the compass. Exhausting the battery means losing a vital communication and
rescue tool.
·
Loss of Night Signal: You will need the battery of your headlamp or phone to generate
a strong light signal for rescue teams at night. If the battery dies, you
become completely invisible in the dark.
The Right Alternative:
·
Phone: Put it on
power-saving or airplane mode. Turn it on only to check for service (once every
hour) or to send a very short text message (SMS) instead of making a call.
·
Lighting:
Use light only at night to set up shelter or for signaling. Rely on daylight as
much as possible.
5. 🗺️ Do Not Throw Away Any Piece of Gear
Throwing away a heavy
backpack, a jacket, or anything else deemed unnecessary might seem like a good
idea for quick movement, but it is a fatal error.
Why to Avoid This:
·
Shelter and Protection: Your thermal blanket (space blanket), backpack (as an
insulating pad), or even plastic sheets inside your bag might be essential
materials for building quick shelter against cold or rain.
·
Signaling Tools: Your bag may contain a mirror, a flashlight, or a whistle,
which are invaluable tools for drawing attention.
The Right Alternative:
Keep everything you
have. Even aluminum foil can be used as a signal reflector. Every item in your
bag has potential survival value.
6. 🔥 Do Not Start a Fire Without Shelter or Training
Fire is your friend,
but wasting matches or the fuel in your lighter on failed attempts can leave
you in a dire situation when you desperately need it.
Why to Avoid This:
·
Resource Waste: Fire starting requires skill, especially in damp conditions. If
you are inexperienced, you will consume matches (or battery power in an
electric lighter) fruitlessly.
·
Danger: Starting a fire in a
dry area can lead to uncontrollable wildfires, increasing the danger to you and
others.
The Right Alternative:
Focus first on building shelter. Then, if you have enough kindling and
time (during the day), gather a sufficient amount of dry wood, and rely on
slow, deliberate ignition techniques.
7. ❌ Do Not Assume Someone Else Will Take Care of You
Relying entirely on
the idea that "someone will search for me" is dangerous thinking that
leads to complacency regarding basic survival actions.
Why to Avoid This:
·
Delayed Rescue: The discovery of your disappearance might be delayed for
several hours or even a full day.
·
Difficulty in Locating: Your planned route might not be precisely known, making the
search mission wide-ranging and time-consuming.
The Right Alternative:
Act as if you might
need to survive on your own for at least three days. This will make you wiser
in rationing resources and building a secure shelter.
8. ⛈️ Do Not Ignore Weather Changes or Approaching Night
Many fatalities in the
wilderness occur due to exposure to the elements, especially the cold, after
nightfall.
Why to Avoid This:
·
Lethal Cold:
The drop in temperature consumes energy very quickly. Without adequate shelter,
even a mild night can lead to hypothermia, especially if you are wet or
exhausted.
·
Lack of Visibility: Attempting to move at night significantly increases the risk of
injury, falling, or moving further away from the rescue path.
The Right Alternative:
Three hours before
sunset, your sole priority should be to build a safe and warm shelter
(even if temporary), gather firewood, and prepare
mentally and physically for the night.
Conclusion: The Immediate Decision is the Key to Your Survival
Getting lost while
hiking is not a failure, but a possibility in every adventure. However, the
immediate response to this situation determines whether the experience will be
just a story to tell or a personal tragedy. Always remember that the eight
mistakes mentioned above all stem from one source: surrendering to panic and
making illogical decisions.
If you find yourself
in this situation, sit down, breathe, and start relying on your brain rather
than your feet. Staying put, rationing resources, and
controlling your emotions are the rules you must adhere to ensure
your safe return.