How do you survive if you get lost or stranded in the wilderness?
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Nature is dangerous. But the most dangerous thing is inaction and panic. The first step is to calm yourself and follow these steps:
First, check in with what resources you have:
Other things to consider:
Then, look back to the last place you remember being. You are now a detective. Trace your footprints, try to remember landmarks. Oftentimes, it is easiest to remember which direction the highway or road was, then walk directly that way. Once you get to a road, you can walk to your car or find help.
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First, check in with what resources you have:
- Phone battery - Even with no service, emergency GPS may still work. Check with your phone plan and operating system.
- Clothing - What are your warmth layers? Are you dedicated to walking through the night, or posting up somewhere to sleep?
- Water - how much water do you have?
Other things to consider:
- How high is the sun? Where was the sun when you started the trip? The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This will help you gauge which direction to start moving.
Then, look back to the last place you remember being. You are now a detective. Trace your footprints, try to remember landmarks. Oftentimes, it is easiest to remember which direction the highway or road was, then walk directly that way. Once you get to a road, you can walk to your car or find help.
The most important thing to do if you get lost or stranded in the wilderness is to not panic. Get out of immediate danger and then take a second to assess your situation. Unless you have a known goal in mind, it is better to stay put and make the most of the location you are at as it’s easier for rescuers to find you if you are not moving. My next actions will depend on what I decide is my most important survival need. A good way to prioritize your needs in a survival situation is to look at the rule of threes - you can last 3 hours in extreme heat or cold so if you are in one of these climates, shelter and warmth or cooling down will be your priority. Next you can last about 3 days without water so begin to look for a good water source. Lastly, you can last about 3 weeks without food so generally this won’t be a priority until all other needs are taken care of.
My next priority would be rescue. This involves making my location as visible as I can from both the air and ground. A large SOS in a clearing and bright colours tied to trees to attract attention helps as well as assembling fire making materials to create a smokey fire if I hear planes or helicopters.
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My next priority would be rescue. This involves making my location as visible as I can from both the air and ground. A large SOS in a clearing and bright colours tied to trees to attract attention helps as well as assembling fire making materials to create a smokey fire if I hear planes or helicopters.
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