If You're Lost In The Woods, Use These Tips To Make Your Shelter Easier To Find

No one embarks on an outdoor adventure with the intent of becoming lost. However, that is exactly what happens to thousands of Americans each year, as more than a dozen people get lost in the woods every day. If you are lost and have to overnight while waiting to be found, there are steps you can take to make yourself and your camp easier for searchers to find. The key is making your campsite more visible and there are a variety of ways to do that, from creating signals to using any available sources of light. 

Increasing the visibility of your shelter is important whether you become lost while camping or during another type of outdoor excursion and are forced to build an emergency shelter. If you are on a camping trip when you become lost, you will likely be more prepared to make your campsite more visible. However, even if you are just on an afternoon hike, as long as you are carrying the 10 hiking essentials, you can improvise with those items along with things found in the woods to make your shelter easier to find.

In order to be found, you have to be seen. You should keep that in mind when choosing the location to pitch your tent or make your emergency shelter. Essentially, you want to pick a location that makes a line-of-sight rescue possible. In other words, the rescuers can see you and your campsite from a distance. From this standpoint, the more open the area, the better. Of course, you have to balance this with the need for protection from wind, rain, and other elements. Additionally, it isn't always possible to find an area that is wide open. But, at the very least, try to find an area that isn't surrounded by underbrush or thick growth at eye level. 

It is also critical you can hear any searchers as they pass near your campsite. So, while it is a good idea to be close to a source of water, try to find a spot that isn't next to rushing rapids or other sounds that can conceal the calls of rescuers. Conversely, it is equally important search parties be able to hear you if you call out, so give a blast on a whistle, or otherwise try to use noise to signal for help. This is yet another reason to try and pitch your tent or make your shelter away from rushing water. 

When on a camping trip, building the perfect campfire is a central part of the experience. In an emergency situation, it can be a critical component to helping you survive by providing warmth. Additionally, if you are lost, it can help you be found by providing light and making it easier for searchers to find your location. If possible, build three fires, the international symbol for distress, and arrange them in a triangular shape. 

The fire should be large enough to be easily seen, but don't go overboard. If you build the fire too large it may be difficult to control and could result in starting a wildfire. Also keep in mind the fire needs to remain burning –- often for hours or even days — in order to help searchers find you. If the fire is too large, you may burn through your supply of wood too fast and not be able to keep the fire going throughout your ordeal.

Although most people relate campfires to nighttime, in a situation in which you are trying to be located, you should keep the fire going even during the daytime. While the flames may not be easily visible during the daylight, the smoke will be. To help create more smoke, it can be helpful to frequently toss handfuls of leaves, grass, moss, or pine needles into the fire as well. Green or wet vegetation will create the most smoke. 

When it comes to trying to get the attention of a search party or just anyone happening to pass by, don't limit your efforts to those traveling on land. Whether it is an aerial search party or just the chance of a small plane or helicopter flying over the area you are in, it is worth trying to create signs, signals, and symbols that can be seen from above.

There are various ways this can be done. If you are in sand or snow, you can literally write "HELP" or "SOS" in the ground. You can also use limbs, logs, or rocks to spell out words or short messages. In fact, you can even announce your status with a single letter. "V" means you need help. "X" means you cannot continue.

The key to making these symbols easily seen from air is to make them large and use objects that contrast with the ground to spell them out. For example, brown limbs over green grass will likely be seen, while brown limbs over dirt or dead leaves may be missed. If you aren't able to get contrast with natural objects, it is also possible to use rolled up towels, clothing, tarps, and other items to spell messages on the ground.

Another way to make your shelter easier to find if you are lost is to make it hard to ignore. This can be done by hanging objects on your shelter and around the area. You can utilize tree limbs to hang clothing, strips of cloth, or any objects you have handy. You can also use sticks and pieces of cloth or clothing to make flags to place around your shelter. The more objects you can hang and scatter about, the more likely you are to catch the attention of searchers or anyone else who happens by the area.

Ideally, the more colorful the object, the better, as brightly colored clothing and items can be spotted from a greater distance. Reflective items are also good for this purpose. Signal mirrors, like the Jetec reflective survival mirror, can be hung near the shelter and quickly grabbed to use as an active signaling device if you see or hear someone in the distance. Other reflective items, such as metal dishes or pots, can also be used. Even emergency blankets, which have a reflective outer shell, can be hung to help get attention.

Whenever you venture into the woods, whether for a short day-hike or an extended camping trip, it is a good idea to carry a flashlight of some sort. Small lights, such as the GearLight LED Mini Camping Flashlight, are small enough to fit in a pocket if you aren't carrying a pack. If you become lost, such a light can be quite handy in more ways than one. Leaving lights on in and around the shelter can help searchers locate you. This is particularly helpful if you are unable to light a fire for whatever reason. Lanterns are ideal for this purpose, but any type of flashlight or headlamp will suffice in an emergency situation.

In addition to acting as a beacon, flashlights and headlamps can be used as emergency signaling devices. If you hear searchers, vehicles, or an aircraft, use a series of three flashes with the light to indicate your location and that you are in need of rescue. The initial set of flashes should be followed by a pause, then three more flashes. You should continue this pattern of flashes and pauses while pointing the light in the direction of the would-be rescuers until either you are seen or they have moved out of the line of sight for the light.