How to Ensure the Survival of a Young Child Lost in the Wilderness

Tragically you often hear a fatal story about a child lost in the wilderness. There are simple tactics you can teach a child of 3 to 7 years old about surviving in the woods until rescue occurs. Before your trip to a wilderness area, you can explain to your child how to stay put and survive if they get lost in the woods.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Whistle on a cord
• Tree

1. Explain to your child that she should always stay close to you when you are taking a trip to a wilderness area. Tell her she should wear a whistle around her neck at all times during the trip. Especially make sure she knows that if she gets lost she won’t be punished.

2. Tell your child that if he gets lost he should find a tree that looks friendly and make friends with it, giving it a name and even giving it a big hug. This sounds silly, but it is key to survival and making sure he stays put until he is rescued.

3. Once your child befriends a tree, instruct her to blow on the whistle three times real hard about every 15 minutes or so. If she hears anyone, tell her to blow the whistle to get their attention.

4. Advise your child that if it gets dark, the tree will protect him all night long. If he gets cold tell him to walk or run around the tree to stay warm.

5. If ever your child gets scared, tell her to talk to the tree and tell the tree that she is scared and to stand guard over her.

6. Let your child know that this is not a time when he needs to be afraid of strangers. Anybody in the woods will be there to rescue him and ensure his survival.

7. Practice these steps at a local park with your child to solidify the lesson. Let her name and adopt a tree in the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Good old fashioned pea-type metal whistles are the loudest.
• As your child grows older, introduce her to more survival skills.
• Being overly strict about avoiding strangers has caused lost children to avoid rescuers.
• If you feel a whistle cord around your child’s neck poses a choking hazard, use a break-away cord.

Resources

• Child survival education
• Woodsproofing children

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on 12/4/2007 I love this article. Such great ideas. I live in the deep woods and just the other day a 12 yr old came to my home crying so hard he couldn't speak. Being that he had a rifle I was scared to death that he may have shot someone/something... but he was lost, just 15 minutes shy of pitch black night. His Dad left him to PUSH DEER by himself where he wasn't familiar, no compass and no radio. Dad left in a truck! We found Dad and we had him near tears!!!
So another tip is to be sure your child has a radio and knows how to push the button to talk on it. For a measly $40, it could save your child's life.
Another tip: is to be sure your child is okay with tracking type hound dogs in the case a SAR dog comes to their aide. But to stay put, not approach the dog. (there could be wild dogs as well so they aren't to approach the dog)