Avoid Making This Common Mistake When Lost In The Woods

You've gone out hiking and you have absolutely no idea where you are. Despite your best efforts to prevent getting lost in the woods, that is exactly what has happened. What you do next can certainly help you find your way out of the woods. However, just as important to getting out of the woods safely is what to avoid doing upon realizing you are lost. Above all else, you should never, ever panic and run when you discover you are lost in the woods. 

Remaining calm in such a dire situation may be difficult, but it is necessary. Panicking can confuse and accelerate your decision-making. This is actually the opposite of what is needed in such circumstances. Running as a response to being lost not only feeds into the panicked feelings, but also compounds the confusion and raises the risks of being injured. Hurting yourself is amplified when you're lost, as you will be running over unknown terrain and, most likely, not paying particular attention to your footing.

Additionally, given that when you are lost, by definition, you don't know which direction to go, running can quickly lead to you becoming even more lost. One of the most important steps to take when attempting to find your way back to your camp, car, or trailhead is to retrace your steps. If you go off running in an unknown direction or take a confused path, it makes it much more difficult to find your starting point. Darting around aimlessly also elevates the danger of being lost because it can deplete your energy reserves without actually accomplishing anything. 

Running is such a common, unproductive, and dangerous reaction to becoming lost, that an entire technique was devised in an attempt to prevent it. Following the STOP method can help prevent you from taking rash actions, such as running, and help you gather your thoughts in order to make rational decisions when trying to find your way out of the woods. The STOP method is an acronym for four fairly self-explanatory steps: stop, think, observe, plan.

If nothing else, the STOP method will prevent an impulsive overreaction and keep your mind occupied so that it doesn't give in to panic. Just staying put before assembling a plan will prevent you from getting lost any further. Taking a moment to think will help you mentally retrace your path as well as recall any techniques for finding your direction. It will also help you stay safe by observing your surroundings before taking action. As you plan your course of action, be sure to include the use of an orienteering compass (should you be carrying one), as that can be very beneficial for retracing your steps or, at the very least, ensuring you are at least heading in the right direction as you navigate back to your starting point.

The one caveat to not running when lost in the woods has to do with needing to vacate the area quickly for safety reasons. So, if you are facing imminent danger and need to find a safe zone fast, the risk of running is worth it. However, even in this situation, try to move under control and in a designated direction as much as possible.