Getting lost in the woods is scary, but armed with these survival tips, you can stay focused and determined to get back home safely!
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Lost in the Woods Survival: How to Survive and Get Back to Safety
- Moor, Robert (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 07/04/2017 (Publication Date) - Simon & Schuster (Publisher)
Preparation
Getting lost in the wilderness while camping or hiking is one of the most common reasons people learn survival skills, even if they don't think of themselves as survivalists. And if you like to camp, hike, or hunt, wilderness survival skills are essential indeed, even if the world as we know it doesn't end.
Preparation is a must in any survival situation, or before you find yourself caught in one, including when out camping in the woods. So here are some lost in the woods tips for you to take note and have handy if you find yourself in this situation:
1. Notify Some People of Your Hike
Make sure you let at least three people know where you're going, how long you plan to be away, and your expected time of return. Include a local authority or camp guide in the list of persons to notify, and provide them with your contact details.
2. Bring a Basic Survival Kit
You can prepare or plan your survival kit depending on the situation and the weather, but here are some of the items in a basic survival kit:
- Knife
- Butane lighter
- Medal matches
- Compass
- Flagging
- Flashlight
- Whistle
- String or cordage
- Plastic bag
You can also learn how to build your own survival kit here and stay prepared in situations like this.
3. Bring Your Cellphone
While some areas may have poor signal, you can always go to higher grounds to find a better reception. Your cellphone may even prove useful, not just in communication.
Besides, you'll want to take pictures along your hike. Don't forget to bring a power bank and make sure they are both protected, too.
4. Take a GPS Unit, Map, and Basic Know-How in Tracking
If you can bring one, a GPS unit will be fantastic, so your position will be easily identified. Yet, a GPS can also fail so make sure you have a backup — one you can use even without technology.
What is GPS? GPS stands for Global Positioning System. The United States government owns this 24-satellite radio navigation system that helps in finding the exact ground position of any object on Earth.
Our ancestors identified their location and destination by looking at the position of trees, mountains, rivers, the stars, and the sun. A map, on the other hand, will also help you identify your location.
5. Mark Your Trail
As soon as you start your journey, keep in mind anybody can get lost in the woods, so go in a survival and preparedness mood at the onset. With that in mind, be conscious of your surroundings and start marking your trail.
You can break some tree branches or tie flagging in the branches so you can find your way back using these markings. You can also use a stick to draw a line along the way.
RELATED: 7 Ways To Find True North Without A Compass
If You Get Lost in the Woods
Even some of the best hikers may become too lenient and get lost in the woods, especially in unfamiliar areas. This is why whether you're a frequent hiker or out on your first solo adventure, make sure you follow these survival tips before you get lost in the woods
1. Don't Panic
Panicking when you're lost in the woods makes you look like a chicken running around with its head chopped off. It should be the last thing you should get into given the situation. With that in mind, the next tip should be your perfect response.
2. Practice S.T.O.P.
When you're in a panic, your brain stops working, too. Thus, fear sets in, and you can't help making bad actions and judgment.
Stop what you're doing at the moment and on that note, the acronym STOP really works well.
- Sit. Stop what you're doing and have a drink because a refreshing drink will help calm you down.
- Think. Evaluate your situation so you can determine if you're really lost or only feeling lost.
- Observe. Look around you and evaluate the treats in your surroundings.
- Plan. After determining your situation, you can now plan your next move or action.
3. Build a Shelter
After probably determining it wasn't wise for you to go on hiking because it's getting late, you will need to work out your shelter. There are a number of ways to make a shelter when you're lost in the woods but for us, the simpler the better.
If you have brought a tarp along with you, then you have all you need for a shelter, indeed.
4. Start a Fire
Next to your shelter is building a fire. It will help get you food and water and will keep you company in the dark, too. It will also help keep you safe from wild animals.
Your survival kit should have a fire-starting kit, but if you don't, there are a number of primitive ways to start a fire. It will be challenging, though, but then you can practice fire-starting as a survival skill.
5. Find Water Immediately
You can survive without water for three days, but at the end of the second day, you'll feel disoriented and unable to function and think properly. There are several ways to find water out in the woods than in the desert, so, learn how to find water out there here.
6. Create a Signal
When all communication fails, there are still ways for you to do it the old way. Increase your odds of getting found or getting your escape by learning how to signal for help in the wilderness.
Follow the full details on how to survive and get back to safety if you get lost in the woods in this video with KennethKramm:
Getting lost in the woods isn't fun, but you can at least enjoy it with these survival tips. They're also a great way for you to practice your survival skills and put your survival initiative into action!
Have you ever been lost in the woods or found yourself alone in the wild? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 26, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
I personally have never been lost, been completely confused for a matter of hours but never lost.. LOL
When I was driving tractor-trailers in the 70’s, our boss said that we never get lost, just become commercial tourists!
Actually, a fire alone is NOT a signal of being lost. Three fires in a straight, evenly spaced row, as seen from the air is the international signal for being lost in the wilderness, if I remember my lessons of yesteryear.
Very nicely written. Thanks, Orrin.
I have been lost for about 15 minites. It was mostly overcast no compass so far into the woods we couldn’t see out. It was afternoon I found a clearing eventually got a weak shadow from a stick. My buddy didn’t believe me. He said the property was fenced so if I found a fence follow it back to the gate. I went one direction he went the opposite, he followed the fence back to the gate, I got to have a rest waiting for him.
A campus may not point north when serounded by iron rich rock or magnetic rock note time and position of the sun as a backup becous if your compose is pointing at a rock you could be walking in circles if you think this is happening but want to be shere going north according to the Needle will lead to what it’s pointing at once you pass it the needle will point behind you but if you pay attenchin to the time and position of the sun from the start you may not need to find the sorce to see the deavation!
Fantastic video. Thanks for posting.
If I am in the woods, I usually have a dog with me. If I get turned around, I give my dog his head & tell him to find home. I have taught this to my last three dogs & it works like a charm. If you are lost, and your local search team uses dogs, be sure to leave your scent by dragging something that has been close to you, like a used sock.
Good information for those who can’t get away from the “I Know it all” attitude, they usually don’t last long, and to Live we need to Listen, Learn and take note… Vietnam Vet,,,
Clifford Gant – I met someone in 1979 in Arizona that was hiking across the US. He was from New Hampshire, and a painter by trade. I don’t imagine that you might be him, but maybe his son?