While each of these stories contains a noteworthy element of shock or surprise whether due to an unforeseeable accident or just to the sheer stupidity of some people the fact remains the same – being lost in the woods is scary as hell!<\/p>\n
If you should find yourself lost in the wilderness there are many different variables you need to consider before determining the best course of action.\u00a0 Here are three practical wilderness survival tips that could actually save your life should you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation.<\/p>\n
1. Always Be Prepared<\/h2>\n
If you are a beginner or unfamiliar with the landscape it is not recommended to go into the wilderness alone.\u00a0 You should always have a friend with you who can have your back should something bad happen.\u00a0 Even a slip and fall could turn into a fatal situation if there is no one there to go for help and you have no way of contacting emergency services.<\/p>\n Try to stay on the trail so that you can easily find your way back.\u00a0 If you choose to deviate from the beaten path, you should mark your way by leaving stones, sticks, etc. to track your way.\u00a0 You can also make note of landmarks that are easily recognizable to help you find your way back.<\/p>\n You should also make sure to take a pack with several emergency essentials; first aid kit, knife<\/a>, rope, \u00a0water purification<\/a>, food, lighter<\/a>, compass<\/a>, whistle, bandana, inflatable solar lantern<\/a>, phone or gps, etc. By taking these precautions before you leave, you reduce the likelihood of becoming lost in the woods.\u00a0 Even if you do get lost, the survival items you carry with you can keep you alive until you are rescued.<\/p>\n See:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Art of the Bug Out Bag<\/a><\/p>\n What to Eat in the Wilderness<\/a><\/p>\n First you need assess the situation that you find yourself in.\u00a0 Did you get separated from a group or were you traveling alone?\u00a0 The next steps that you take will depend largely on the answer to this question.\u00a0 If you got separated from a group chances are that they are currently trying to locate you.\u00a0 If they can\u2019t locate you on their own there is a likely possibility they will be contacting authorities and search and rescue will be looking for you as well.\u00a0 If that is the case it makes sense to stay put where you are so that you can be located quickly.<\/p>\n No matter what \u2013 don\u2019t panic!\u00a0 Don\u2019t start running as fast as you can or screaming out for someone to hear you.\u00a0 That will only use up your stored energy and leave you feeling stressed out and exhausted.\u00a0 Keep calm, take a step back and assess the situation before you make any moves. \u00a0When you\u2019re calm and collected you can make wise decisions about which action to take next.\u00a0 By keeping your cool, you can logically plan your escape strategy without getting further lost or missing a rescue opportunity.<\/p>\n See:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Best Camping, Hiking and Wilderness Survival Books<\/a><\/p>\n Once you have assessed the situation you should be able to plan your best method for survival. At this point you can determine whether you want to shelter in place and wait for rescue or try to find your way back to safety. \u00a0Should you decide to shelter in place be prepared to provide the basic necessities to keep yourself alive through the night by using your survival knowledge to build a makeshift shelter.<\/p>\n Always bring a compass and familiarize yourself with basic navigation techniques<\/a> so that you can find your way out. \u00a0If you do not have a phone or GPS system with you, there are some basic navigation techniques that you can use to find your way back to safety. \u00a0Following a river downstream is usually a foolproof way to find your way back to civilization.<\/p>\n See:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Celestial Navigation Techniques<\/a><\/p>\n Special Forces Navigation Training<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Additional Resources:<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Top 100 Items to Disappear in a National Emergency<\/a><\/p>\n 9 Unique Alternative Housing Ideas<\/a><\/p>\n Top 10 Survival Movies<\/a><\/p>\n 120 Useful Books for Your Survival Library<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00N5ADTTQ&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=surspoblo-20\")
\nIf you take a trip into the wilderness the best thing you can do is be prepared before you leave so that you can avoid getting lost in the first place. \u00a0 If you\u2019re going backpacking alone you will want to make sure to let someone know where you are going, when you\u2019re leaving and when they should expect you to return.\u00a0 That way if you do not return when expected there will be someone who knows where to find you.<\/p>\n2. Assess the situation<\/h2>\n
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\nIf you\u2019re out hiking alone and you get lost, that is a different story altogether.\u00a0 If you are in a high traffic location it still might be your best bet to wait until someone comes along who can help you get back on the right path.\u00a0 If you\u2019re in a very remote area then chances of stumbling upon another hiker are slim to none.\u00a0 In that case you will want make a plan to find your way back to safety.\u00a0 Either way, the course you take will depend further on what time of the day it is and what the weather is like.\u00a0 Even if you\u2019re all alone and don\u2019t expect anyone to come looking for you, it is probably best to stay put and hunker down if you\u2019re approaching nightfall or weather conditions are poor.\u00a0 Trying to find your way to safety in the dark of night or in the middle of a snow or rain storm will only make your situation worse.\u00a0 If that\u2019s the case make a temporary shelter and hunker down for the night, then start again at first light.<\/p>\n3. Find your way to safety<\/h2>\n
![\"Todd](\"https:\/\/www.survival-spot.com\/survival-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Todd-Tucker.jpg\")
This article was contributed by Todd Tucker, Survival Spot Blog<\/a> Editor and contributing author. Todd has over 20 years of experience practicing and perfecting\u00a0wilderness survival techniques. He is a highly skilled rough terrain hiker, climber, fisherman, large game hunter and survival gear expert.<\/p>\n
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