When it comes to quality time, there is nothing that equals simply being outdoors as a family—no matter what the activity. But before you leap into another season of hiking, camping, fishing, or biking, take a prudent first step: Get yourself and the rest of your family "lost-proofed."
This year, scores of men, women, and children will get hurt or lost in the backcountry. This is a fact of outdoor life as sure as the wind, the sun, and rain on weekends. It can happen to anyone, for any number of possible reasons. It only makes sense, then, to think now about how to handle such situations and how to lessen the chances of getting into a potentially life-threatening situation in the first place.
In a Word: STOP
Right now, teach everyone in your family what STOP stands for:
Sit. Think. Observe. Plan.
If you lose your bearings, don't go wandering around looking for them. Find a comfortable log and have a seat. Give yourself time to settle down. Think about how you got off track. Look around. Do you see any familiar landmarks?
Carefully plan your next move. If there's still plenty of daylight and you're fairly certain you can get back on course, you may want to give it a try. But you and your children should learn to identify when you're really lost. If you are really lost, admit it and don't move. Wandering not only saps your energy, it can get you injured, so you're better off staying put. If there's a clearing nearby, use limbs or stones to make an "X" or some other out-of-the-ordinary shape on the ground that is big enough to be seen from the air.
If you're injured and can't walk, make yourself as comfortable and visible as possible. And just wait. Help will be on the way. County fire and police departments are well trained in search-and-rescue techniques. They're ready to launch a search within minutes of receiving a missing-person report.
Listen for the sound of searchers. Yell if you think you hear someone. If you hear a plane or helicopter overhead, remember that you're easier to see lying down, spread-eagle, the way you would be when making a snow angel.
If hours pass or the sun has set and you're still lost, don't despair. Nighttime is actually a better time to search for someone than daytime. Tracks are easier to see in the glow of a flashlight. And heat-seeking devices used on search helicopters work more efficiently in the dark.
Where are you going?
What do you want to do?
