Help
Lost in the woods?
O.K. You’re lost. Now what? S-T-O-P! If you don’t know where you are or which way to go, STAY PUT. People will start looking for you as soon as someone realizes you’re missing. Meanwhile, it’s time to use your No. 1 survival tool — your brain. Follow the S-T-O-P signs. S. Stay calm: You can’t use your brain well if you’re in a panic. Breathe slowly and deeply. Drink some water, eat a little something. T. Think: How did you get here? Get out your map and see what you can figure out. O. Observe: Look for your footprints. What about landmarks? Find the clues and maybe you can solve the mystery of where you are. P. Plan: If you’re pretty sure of the way back, move carefully. But what if you’re wrong? Mark your trail as you move — piles of stones, broken branches. That way you can always come back to where you were.
