How to Survive Being Lost

Despite modern communications and equipment, more people than ever are getting lost in the wilderness. Cellular and satellite phones and global positioning systems (GPSs) make the world seem smaller, but the reality is, there's still a lot of emptiness out there and you can't always rely on technology for a rescue. It helps to have the best gear possible, but you also need to make smart choices.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

General strategies

1. Stay put as soon as you realize you're lost. Rescue crews will find you faster if you stay in one spot. If you have no idea where you are or how to get back to where you started, further movement is just wasted energy.
2. Make yourself visible. Move to a clear area and do whatever you can to make a signal. Flags or markers can be made from food wrappers, clothing or anything that is colorful. If you're in the snow, stomp out a large X. In the desert, form an X with rocks.
3. Stay dry. Avoid crossing streams unless absolutely necessary. If you get warm, take off excess clothing before you become sweaty. Build a fire and dry wet clothes if possible. Getting wet can quickly lead to hypothermia, the inability of your body to warm itself. Don't wear cotton clothes in cold weather. Cotton retains water, providing little or no insulation when wet.
4. Stay hydrated. It's harder for your body to maintain the proper temperature if you're low on fluids. This is also very important if you're injured and have lost some blood: You need liquids in order to maintain normal blood pressure.
5. Make a shelter. Where it's hot, find shade. Where it's cold, create warmth. Tree branches, snow, sheets of plastic or cloth--almost anything can be fashioned into a basic shelter.
6. Treat any injuries. Dislocations, such as to a shoulder, should be replaced at the earliest opportunity. This will be extremely painful but will reduce overall trauma. Severe bleeding to an arm or a leg can be reduced with a tourniquet, a tight wrap of cloth around the limb above the wound. Study basic first aid before embarking on any potentially hazardous adventures.
7. Carry extra food. Energy bars and candy bars are easy to stash in pockets and provide many needed calories.

In the mountains

8. Prepare ahead of time by wearing and packing the proper clothing. Dress in several layers, starting with polypropylene underwear, then a fleece sweater and a waterproof outer jacket that extends below your waist. Use similar layers on your lower body, and make sure your pants cover your boot tops snugly to keep out snow. Boots should be tall and have a waterproof outer shell and plenty of insulation. A warm hat and gloves are also essential.
9. Understand avalanche risks before heading into the snow. Most avalanche accidents occur during or soon after a large snowfall. Forecasts are available for popular U.S. recreation sites, either through the National Weather Service (nws.noaa.gov) or the National Forest Service (www.fs.fed.us). Or call an outdoor recreation store for advice.
10. Descend as low as possible without making yourself invisible under trees or by descending into a remote spot. High elevations are colder and windier and have less oxygen. You'll work harder to stay warm.
11. Dig into the snow at the base of a small incline to make a cave for shelter in snowy areas. If you anticipate an avalanche and can't leave the danger area, dig a snow trench. Shovel out a ditch and cover the top with tree branches and more snow. Line the floor of the shelter with more branches.
12. Remove any fresh snow from your signals so they remain visible.
13. Consider climbing to a high vantage point if rescue doesn't appear imminent and the weather is clear. You might see a familiar landmark. Be cautious about how far you hike out; it's easy to convince yourself that help is just over the next ridge.
14. Use snow for water. Stay hydrated or you'll have increasing difficulty keeping warm. If you have a water bottle, fill it with snow and hold it inside your jacket until it melts.

In the desert

15. Stay in the shade. You absolutely will not survive in the sun. Walking more than a few miles without a steady water supply is unrealistic. Stay with your car if you have one. Try to move only at night, if you must.
16. Dig at the base of cliffs in search of water. Avoid doing strenuous work in direct sunlight; find shade or wait for nightfall.
17. Resist the urge to drink your urine even if you feel desperate. You won't get any usable water from it because your body will just have to filter and excrete it all again.
18. Carry several clear plastic bags. Seal the bags around plants (except those with thorns) in bright sunlight. Water transpired by the plants condenses in the bags and can be collected.

At sea

19. Conserve as much energy as possible; avoid trying to row (or swim) to land unless you know exactly where it is.
20. Wait to trade a damaged or foundering boat for a life raft until you absolutely have to. There are countless stories of abandoned boats later being found intact while the raft is never seen again.
21. Supply yourself with as much freshwater as possible. Keep a tarp on hand to catch any rain.
22. Never drink seawater. Some people claim small amounts are OK (an appealing notion to someone in distress). Unfortunately, it's not true. In the absence of freshwater, seawater will destroy your liver and kill you.
23. Create shade and stay in it if it's hot or sunny.
24. Conserve water and energy by remaining inactive. Some life raft survivors claim they made it only by entering a trancelike state for days at a time.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid the most common cause of delayed rescue: forgetting to tell anyone where you're going. Always leave a detailed description of your trip route and schedule with a responsible person. Direct that person to call the authorities if you don't return by a specific time or date.
• Carry fire-starting equipment such as a cigarette lighter and toilet paper. In wet weather, your best bet for finding dry wood is to look for small dead branches at the base of evergreen trees.
• See 466 Assemble Emergency Kits and 470 Survive If Your Car Breaks Down.
• You need to consume more calories in a cold climate than you do in a warm one.
• Distinguish between desert survival myths and truths. Many people believe you can squeeze drinkable water out of cactuses. That may be true of some cactuses, but others are toxic. If you're headed into the desert, pick up a guidebook that describes the various types. Also review poisonous reptiles and insects in case you think you might be dining al fresco a` la Survivor.
• Don't enter into any adventure with the expectation that you will find help in case of trouble, since there's no guarantee of rescue. Be responsible for yourself and plan as though rescue will not be possible.