![]() There are optimal times to rest and eat or expend energy, according to the Forest Service. If there’s something you can climb on to see above the tree line, that can also help you locate civilization and choose which direction you should go in.Ī young man lies in his emergency shelter made from spruce tree branches. ![]() If you’re on a trail, stay on it, especially if it has signs or markers.įollowing a drainage or stream downhill could lead to civilization – but it could also be dangerous if you have to travel through thick brush or steep terrain, Townes said. If it’s dark outside or you’re injured or exhausted, stay put for the night, the Forest Service instructs. Use your compass to determine the directions.īased on your observations, devise potential plans, compare them, then follow the one you’re most confident in. Ask yourself what landmarks you should be able to see, and don’t move until you have a specific reason to. ![]() Initially, stay put while you mentally retrace your steps to recall how you arrived there. “Think, ‘What are my options? What are the things I need to worry about in terms of threats? Like the weather, is it getting dark? Is it late? Am I going to try to get out tonight or am I here for the night and I need to work on this in the morning? And therefore, I need to figure out where I’m going to spend the night.’”įor these situations, the Forest Service recommends following its “STOP” protocol: Stop, Think, Observe and Plan. “Your best chance of survival is to think rationally and calmly,” Townes said. If you get lost, know that “panic is your greatest enemy,” the Forest Service says. If the weather’s cold, cotton clothing wouldn’t be ideal because wet cotton won’t dry well and therefore won’t keep you warm, Townes said. In addition to the clothing listed above for warmth, you’ll also want to make sure you’re dressed for the elements. – Duct tape, knife, screwdriver and scissors – Waterproof matches, lighters and fire starters – Lightweight shelter, if possible, such as a bivy sack, tarp or one-person tent – Insulation (an emergency blanket, jacket, hat, gloves, waterproof rain shell, thermal underwear) ![]() – First aid kit including disinfectants, tourniquets, bandages and aluminum splints – Nonperishable, nutritionally valuable foods such as dried fruits or nuts, energy bars or beef jerky – Water and water-purifying tablets or drops That includes exactly where you’re going, whether and how many other people are going, the vehicle you’re taking, the trail you plan to follow and when you’ll return, the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service advises.ĭepending on where you’re going, you should pack these essentials that could help prevent or alleviate emergencies: Once you have planned your trip, give someone all the important details. Also, regardless of the time of year, always look at the weather forecast – from several days beforehand up until the day of. Both can tell you about any need-to-knows regarding trail quality, animal presence, water accessibility, maps and more. Here’s what experts want you to know about how you should plan ahead for a safe trip and address worst-case scenarios:īefore you go, research your chosen destination by looking online and/or talking to locals familiar with the site, Townes said. But if you ever do become stranded in the wild like these people did, being prepared can be the deciding factor in whether you return to safety or suffer serious injury, illness or death. “If you can avoid getting into trouble, then that’s obviously the most successful strategy,” he said. David Townes, a professor of emergency medicine and adjunct professor of global health at the University of Washington.įor adventurers who seek outdoor challenges, “the common theme is that they’ve underestimated what they plan to do and, tied in with that, nearly overestimated their own abilities,” Townes said. Christoph Schmidt/picture alliance/dpa/Getty Imagesįor those who didn’t intend to go into the wilderness, accidents – such as taking a wrong turn or a car breakdown – or severe weather changes can be the culprit, said Dr. Two brothers clean their cooking equipment in a stream during a survival course in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Mainhardt, Germany, in June 2020. ![]()
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