If you’re lost, the best thing you can do is stay calm. Panic will only make it harder to figure out where you are, and will waste valuable energy that could be better used doing other things like finding water or shelter.
And if you’re thinking about heading back into the woods at night to look for help because it feels safer than staying put…don’t!
It’s much easier for someone else to find you if they know exactly where in the forest their search should begin.
So now that we’ve got that covered (ha), let’s talk about what else you can do if you find yourself lost in nature:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Always carry essential survival items when venturing into the wilderness. |
| If you’re lost, stay calm and stay put. |
| Try to get your bearings and look for natural landmarks to guide you. |
| Listen for sounds of civilization to help you locate help. |
| Leave markers to help search and rescue teams find you. |
| Avoid common mistakes like panicking and wandering aimlessly. |
| Know how to navigate using a map and compass. |
| Learn how to purify water from natural sources in the wilderness. |
| Understand which dangerous creatures and plants to watch out for in the area. |
| Build an emergency shelter to protect yourself from the elements. |
1 – Stay Calm
If you’re lost in the wilderness, stay calm and do not panic. Panicking will only make it harder to think clearly and will increase your chances of making mistakes that could have serious consequences.
Stay where you are. If possible, stay in one place and wait for help to come looking for you (if you’re in an area with cell phone reception, it is a good idea to call 911).
If staying put isn’t an option because there is no shelter or water nearby or if it’s getting dark out, then try finding a better location before nightfall—but don’t wander too far without marking your path so that rescuers can find their way back easily.
If you’re stuck in the wilderness, having access to an emergency shelter could make all the difference. Check out our guide on 17 emergency shelter ideas for when you’re caught off-guard to get some inspiration and tips for building a shelter with limited resources.
2 – Stop Where You Are.
Stop. When you hear the word “stop” your first instinct is to run, right? Well, stop running! You’re not going to get lost if you aren’t moving around.
Stop panicking! There’s no need for all this anxiety the situation isn’t life-threatening yet, so don’t start thinking about how close it could be if you don’t act quickly (and if something did happen to you, it would still be okay). It’s best not to have a heart attack before even getting lost in the wilderness!
Stop looking for food or water! If we went into a grocery store and saw that there was no food left in any aisle other than the frozen section, would we go ahead and eat frozen pizza or ice cream sandwiches? No way—we’d just leave empty-handed because most stores don’t sell food at that point anyway.
So why would nature be any different? Nature doesn’t work like this; just because there isn’t anything edible nearby doesn’t mean that there never will be again!
Key Steps to Take When Lost in the Wilderness
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Stop Where You Are | When you realize you’re lost, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Don’t move around too much as you could become more lost. |
| Use Topographic Maps | If you have a GPS device along with detailed topographic maps from brands like Garmin or Magellan, it is much easier to find your way and stay on track. These maps can show you nearby highways, trails, campsites, points of interest, and more. |
| Use Technology | Use technology to assist you, such as mobile maps, GPS apps, or a satellite tracking device like SPOT or inReach that you can use to call for help if needed. |
| Call For Help | If you have a cellphone that gets some signal, call 911 or the local emergency number. Keep in mind, this might not be possible in all wilderness areas. |
| Stay Hydrated | You should hydrate as soon as possible. With no clean water sources available, it is necessary to drink from nearby natural sources or use a water filtration system you have brought along. |
| Make Yourself Known | Create a visual signal using reflectors, colored fabrics or even squares of gold colored swatches. |
| Seek High Ground | Make your way to high ground and scan the area for visible landmarks or signs of civilization. |
| Look for Shelter | If no rescue is immediate, look for a natural shelter. By using brand name hammocks or tents especially designed for emergencies you will be able to find shelter easily. |
| Stay Focused | Regardless of your prior wilderness experience, stay focused and alert when you find yourself alone and lost in nature. By knowing what to do and following these key steps, you can stay safe and increase your chances of being found. |
3 – Retrace Your Steps
If you only remember one thing from this section, let it be this: Don’t panic and don’t move too fast.
Use your compass to get your bearings, then retrace your steps back to where you were, but try to pay attention to landmarks or anything that could give you a clue as to where to go next.
When walking backward through unfamiliar territory, use the same kind of visual cues you would use when walking forward—pay attention to what looks different from your last time there (a tree branch knocked down by a storm or an abandoned campsite), anything that might provide an identifying marker for other hikers who might have passed through before (an empty bottle of sunscreen) etc…
Navigating the wilderness can be a daunting task if you don’t know what you’re doing. Our guide on how to use a map and compass like a pro can help you learn the basics of navigation to ensure that you always know which way to go when you’re lost.
4 – Ask For Directions
If you are lost, the first thing to do is ask for directions. Ask a local or someone who knows the area. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction, and they might even give you some great recommendations along the way!
If that doesn’t work, try asking someone who has been lost before. They may have learned some tricks of their own!
Or perhaps there’s someone nearby with an atlas or guidebook? That could be helpful as well! If all else fails, just go up to a random stranger on the street (but only if it looks safe).
Steps to Follow When Lost in the Wilderness
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Stop and Stay Calm | The first and most important step when lost is to remain calm and stay put. |
| Check Your Resources | Review your resources, equipment, and any maps you may have to better understand your options and location. |
| Use Navigation Tools | Use Navigation tools like compasses from brands like Suunto or navigation apps like Spyglass, MAPS.ME or ViewRanger to determine your location and direction. |
| Signal For Help | Signal for help using a whistle, strobe light like the ones from Princeton Tec or signal mirror to communicate distress and attract attention. |
| Ask For Directions | Shout for help if there are potential rescuers or other people in the vicinity and ask for directions if you can find any. |
| Use Trail Markers | Follow trail markers, cairns, or other signs of human impact to lead you back towards civilization. |
| Prioritize Basic Survival Needs | Mark an area where you can get shelter and warmth like in Tentlab’s Deuce Backpacking Trowel, or protect yourself from the sun with a brand name umbrella like Repel Umbrella. |
| Stay Hydrated | Drink water from any natural sources and use portable filters from brands like LifeStraw or GRAYL to make water sources safe to drink. |
| Build An SOS Fire | Build a fire and display an SOS signal using wet wood and a torch to mark your position and attract attention. |
| Be Ready To Be Found | Be ready for the rescue team by creating an area where you can take a rest and set a signal to make it easier for them to locate you. |
5 – Look For A Landmark.
If you’re lost in the wilderness and don’t know how to find your way home, looking for a landmark can help you get back on track.
A landmark is anything that can be seen from a distance it could be a tree, rock, building or even another person. By using landmarks along with the sun’s position in the sky (and compass if you have one) to determine direction, it’s possible to find your way back home!
If you’re facing a bear in the wilderness, it’s important to know how to react to avoid putting yourself in more danger. Our guide on surviving a bear attack provides tips and advice on how to stay safe and calm during a bear encounter.
6 – Use Your Surroundings.
Sun: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This is a fact you can count on, day after day.
Stars: There are 88 constellations of stars visible from Earth, most of which have legends associated with them. If you’re lost at night, look up at the sky—this may help you determine where you are and where you’re going.
Moon: The moon rises over different parts of Earth every 24 hours, so when it’s high overhead one evening, that means it was low over your head yesterday morning! This can help you figure out how far from home (or safety) you’ve come since then.
Wind: Weather changes direction continuously throughout any given day or week; if there’s a storm coming from one direction now, there will probably be another tomorrow as well!
If there isn’t much wind yet but heavy rainfall instead then chances are good that whatever happened here before will happen again soon enough and if nothing else works out for us then we’ll just have to wait around until it does!”
Survival Techniques to Use Your Immediate Surroundings in the Wilderness
| Techniques | Description |
|---|---|
| Find Water | Collect water from nearby rivers, streams, and lakes. If there is no water source nearby, use a brand name water container like Hydrapak’s Stow or Evernew’s Water Carry to store water. |
| Create Fire | Use wood and kindling to build a fire. Use a fire starter such as the brand name Light My Fire or UCO to make igniting the fire easier. |
| Signal For Help | Use mirrors, flashlights or a fire to make a signal and attract attention. Brand names like Gerber or SOL make compact signal mirrors. |
| Use Natural Resources | Build a shelter using local vegetation like leaves, branches or a tarp like those from the brand name Kammok. |
| Make Weapons and Tools | Use natural resources such as wood or rocks to make tools and weapons for protection or building shelter. |
| Make Cordage and String | Use plant fibers or sinews to make cordage or string which can be used for traps, fishing lines, and shelter building. |
| Create a Distress Signal | Use rocks, branches or trees to create a distress signal on the ground, that can be visible from the air. |
| Find Food | Look for edible plants like berries, nuts, and mushrooms, or learn how to fish or trap game for food. Brands like MSR or GSI make cooking sets that are perfect for taking on camping trips. |
| Stay Warm | Use nature’s heat by building a fire or create shelter using natural insulating agents such as leaves or bark from trees. Brands like Therm-a-Rest or NEMO make sleeping bags that are ideal for keeping warm outdoors. |
| Stay Calm and Positive | Try to stay calm and positive, no matter what challenges you face. You can take inspiration from books or journals like those from the brand Rite In The Rain or Cognito that are waterproof and won’t fail you in adverse weather conditions. |
7 – Search For The Sun
If you are lost, then the first thing you should do is determine where north is. This can be done by finding a tall tree and looking for its shadow.
The side of the tree that has its longest shadow is facing east, meaning that the shortest part of its shadow will be pointing west.
Now that you know which direction is east and west, try to find a landmark nearby such as a mountain or river so that you have something to guide you back home.
After some time passes, look up at the sun again and search for it on any other objects around you (like trees), but make sure not to get confused when comparing them against each other!
When you’re lost in the wilderness, it’s essential to have the right tools and knowledge to survive. Our beginner’s guide on 10 essential tips for surviving in the wilderness can help you prepare for a potential emergency and stay safe in the great outdoors.
8 – Know Your Area
There are many things to consider when setting out into the wilderness, but one of the most important is knowing where you’re going and how to get there.
You need to know what kind of terrain you will encounter, or at least be aware of it. Weather conditions can change rapidly in some areas, so make sure you know what the forecast is before leaving.
And always keep an eye out for wildlife and other hazards that may cross your path while hiking through unfamiliar territory.
9 – Use Landmarks To Your Advantage
“But what if I’m lost in the wilderness?” you ask. “What if I don’t have any landmarks to use?”
There are many ways to determine your direction without using landmarks. For example, you can use the sun to tell which way is north and south, or look at a map or compass.
You can also determine your direction by looking at the shadows of trees or other objects as they move across the ground throughout the day.
These are all methods of getting your bearings (finding out where you are) but it doesn’t help with finding food and water, which is why we’re focusing on doing so by using landmarks here.
The wilderness is home to many dangerous creatures that you need to be aware of when exploring the great outdoors. Our guide on the top 10 most dangerous creatures in the wilderness provides information on some of the most hazardous animals that you might come across and how to avoid or deal with them.
10 – Find The Water Source
If you’re lost in a forest, one of your biggest concerns should be finding a drinkable source of water. In most cases, this will be your best chance at making it back to civilization alive.
To find this information, look for small creeks and streams in heavily treed areas they should lead to larger streams or rivers which can take you closer to towns and cities.
You should also check lakes if possible; some lakes are easier to get around than others due to their size but all will provide some sort of food source (fish) as well as drinking water for long periods of time before needing replenishment from rain or meltwater runoff from nearby mountains/hillsides
Conclusion
While it’s true that getting lost in the wilderness can be scary, there are many things you can do to keep yourself safe.
The first step is to use common sense. If you find yourself in unfamiliar territory without any supplies or knowledge of how to survive in that environment—don’t go there!
You should also always carry a map with you when hiking or camping so that if something unexpected happens while you’re away from home, you at least have some idea where to go next.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you might find helpful:
Got Lost in the Woods? Here is How to Find Your Way Back: This article provides tips and techniques for finding your way back to safety in the wilderness.
What to Do When You’re Lost in the Wilderness or in Life: This article offers advice on how to stay calm and focused when lost in a wilderness situation, as well as tips for dealing with life’s more metaphorical “wildernesses.”
If You Get Lost: The US Forest Service provides a useful guide on what to do if you get lost in the wilderness, along with resources for planning ahead to prevent getting lost in the first place.
FAQs
What should I do if I get lost in the wilderness?
If you find yourself lost in the wilderness, the first thing you should do is stop and stay put. Try to get your bearings, listen for sounds of civilization, and wait for rescue teams to find you. If you absolutely have to move, leave markers to help search and rescue teams find you.
What are some essential items to carry with me if I’m going into the wilderness?
Some essential items to bring on a wilderness adventure include a map and compass, a first aid kit, a knife or multi-tool, a water filter or other method of water purification, and extra food and clothing.
Is it safe to drink water from a natural source in the wilderness?
Drinking water from natural sources like rivers and streams can be hazardous, as it may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It’s best to purify your water before drinking it. Boiling, chemical treatments, and filtration are all effective methods of water purification.
How can I navigate in the wilderness without a map or compass?
If you don’t have a map or compass, you can still navigate by using natural landmarks like mountains, rivers, and other geographical features. You can also navigate using the sun and stars, although this method requires some knowledge and experience.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when lost in the wilderness?
Some common mistakes to avoid when lost in the wilderness include panicking, wandering aimlessly, and not leaving markers. It’s also important to conserve your energy and resources, and to stay calm and focused on finding a way back to safety.
Hi! I’m Hellen James, and I am the founder of Unified Survival. I have a deep passion for the wilderness and everything that goes along with it. I’ve been hiking since I was a child, and I grew up camping in state parks all over the country. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned how to survive in the wilderness.