S = Stop. Stop walking, stop panicking. Take a deep breath. Sit down and eat something. Have a drink of water.
This is step one because the more you keep walking, the further away you may be going from your destination.
Also – in the process of doing this, do not start running through the mountains – this makes you much more likely to sprain your ankle or otherwise hurt yourself – and then you’ll be much worse off.
T = Think. Does anything around you look familiar? Do you recognize any of the landmarks around you? What direction were you heading in? When was the last moment you felt like you knew where you were? Where did you walk after that?
These questions might help calm your brain and get you back on track.
O = Observe. Observe your surroundings. What are obvious landmarks around you that might appear on your map? Look at the sun – how long do you think you have until the sun goes down? What survival tools do you have with you? How long will these last?
These questions can help prepare you to look ahead and figure out a plan.
P = Plan. Don’t start hiking again until you have a plan, and think of a few different ones before you settle on the right one. For instance – are you confident you could find your way back now that you’ve calmed down? Trust your instincts.
Check your phone – if you have service, call for help. Rescuers may be able to direct you back, or might be able to come find you.
Take out your survival whistle and blow three times to signal for help. Yell for help in case someone is around.
Take out your survival whistle and blow three times to signal for help. Yell for help in case someone is around.
If you’ve got a flare, use it when you see/hear a plane approaching. The plane will likely circle back and help you once it sees the flare.
Get out your brightly colored survival gear/clothing – this will make it easier for rescuers to see you.
2 – Stay Together
If you’re traveling with another person (or multiple people), do not split the group up. Stay together, and work together to come up with a plan. This also makes it easier for rescue teams to find you, as they’ll only be looking for one group of people rather than several.3 – Prepare To Stay the Night If Necessary
Look for shelter, especially one with coverage from the wind and rain. Be sure to pick a spot that’s away from a creek or river, as the sound might prevent you from hearing rescue teams.Use brightly colored tarps or sheets (or a tent if you have one) to set up a shelter for the night.
Start adding layers of clothing to avoid getting cold, and begin building a fire – this will not only keep you warm, but it’ll also produce smoke that help signal for help. You can also signal for help by using a signal mirror or by going to a clear area and forming the letters SOS with large rocks (this may be visible to low-flying planes).
Also be sure to hang brightly colored items around you, as this will also help make you easy to spot.
4 – Find Water
Once you’re rested and/or are able to keep moving. Start moving in a straight line; obviously shoot for downhill if possible, but any direction will do. Search for running water.Finding water should be your goal for a few reasons; for one, you can follow the water downstream to help get you out. Second, people/towns/animals congregate around water, and finding it can help you catch dinner and/or find people that can help you get home.
Third, finding a water source will help you purify it to make it drinkable and help sustain you for the duration of the journey.
Like I said, this can happen in an instant. An innocent hiking trip with friends can within hours turn into a disaster if you get lost in the mountains.
As such, it’s up to each of us to do what we can ahead of time so that, if we do get lost in the mountains, we’re able to be prepared, think straight, and find our way back as quickly and efficiently as possible.We’ve got a bunch of survival gear in our online store that can help you be prepared in such a disaster.
This little item in not expensive and could save your life
https://survivalfrog.com/collections/new-products/products/biolite-campstove-with-free-survival-grab-bag-survival-gear?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mountainslost
Also have a whistle, your fully charged cell phone, compass or GPS watch (we have both) a good map of the area, 6 or so space blankets (let me tell you these are so useful for many things including keeping your lost rear dry in a rain or snow storm, water proof lighter, headlamp (a good one with extra batteries) a striker for fire lighting and something we like called wet fire. It WORKS and you will find it much harder to survive without a fire) A flare gun to signal your rescuers and to us a hand gun and bear spray. Yes, a hand gun. WHY? Because if your in a pickle and didn't pack dehydrated food you may have to take some game to survive. Keep the shells in a separate area of the pack do not keep it loaded in your back pack EVER! Only use it if you have to not as a first resort. It also can keep away, cougars, bears, and other things that go bump in the night!
Get a backpack even one for college will do but our suggestion is go and get yourself fitted for one. REI is a good place for that. Try them on. Walk around and make sure it comfortable. A ill fitting pack is very uncomfortable and can make blisters to add to your woes.
So be safe and keep those packs handy. We keep ours on a hook where our coats and hats are. It can be used too if you ever have to leave home for an emergency. Fire, Flood, Earthquake are all possibilities this pack is good for.
Last thing is take plenty of water. You can live without food much longer than without water. We have 2 liters per person and pack a canteen as well.
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