| The best of hikers can still be caught by surprise | | | | is always an alternative way to contact someone. |
| sometimes during a well planned excursion. A guy | | | | Taking detours from established trails, by accident |
| from the department of the county sheriff who | | | | or on purpose is a good way to get lost and one |
| spent many nights out in the California mount | | | | of the top reasons a search is called. People not |
| range encourages people to read 1800s hike | | | | used to reading terrain maps ought to stay within |
| survival literature for more info. He believes that | | | | the prescribed paths. Going astray can only get |
| outings will stay fun so long as hikers do not | | | | you more lost which is why most search and |
| make unnecessary missteps that include failing to | | | | rescue personnel discourage moving from your |
| stay on the marked trail. | | | | current location. It's natural to think that you can |
| You need to do your homework if you want to | | | | find your way out, but often it?s easier for |
| get in and out of the wilds alive. For hikes of any | | | | searchers to find a stationary target than a |
| distance and length, no day pack should be | | | | moving one. |
| without the 10 essentials such as map, compass, | | | | Panic will be minimized according to experts so |
| flashlight, extra food, extra clothing, sunglasses, | | | | long as people keep in mind the STOP acronym. |
| first aid supplies, pocket knife, waterproof | | | | STOP if you become agitated. Ask yourself and |
| matches and fire starter. | | | | THINK where the last place was that you were |
| Make room for the possibility of something going | | | | sure of your spot. Whatever details you pick up |
| awry. Unplanned nights in the wild will go better | | | | OBSERVE them for telltale signs to guide you out |
| with a few additions to the basic items brought | | | | of your predicament. Plan your next course of |
| along specifically signal mirrors for some | | | | action. If you got lost in the evening then an |
| illumination bounced off sunlight plus a space | | | | overnight stay in the place might be in order. |
| blanket and a whistle according to search and | | | | Fending off the cold and managing to stay dry |
| rescue pros. Light moves quickly so | | | | are the top concerns in this instance. The situation |
| communication is also faster. Camera flash bulbs | | | | would be more pleasant if a space blanket was |
| have often been used effectively to signal the | | | | available but getting together some tree boughs |
| whereabouts of lost hikers. Water obscures | | | | and leaves is decent alternative also. |
| whistle noise while foliage absorbs it so it does not | | | | When possible eat something to avoid elevated |
| really count for much when it comes to | | | | core body temperature. Search and rescue people |
| summoning help. | | | | discourage kids from roaming about when lost |
| Although the front country is where cell phone | | | | saying they are better off remaining in the same |
| signal might be strongest it is still worth it to bring | | | | place and embracing a tree until rescuers reach |
| such mobile devices along when trekking so there | | | | them. |