As we move into spring, more and more people will be spending time outdoors in the wilderness. Parents should make sure all members of the family are prepared for what might happen if one, or the whole party, happens to loose their way. Below are listed a few items that everyone should know:
1) Each person should always carry a small fanny pack or pack with a trash bag, bottle of water, granola bar, a bright colored bandanna and whistle on a hike or camping trip. You can make a hole in the side of the bag to use as a makeshift ‘poncho’ (make sure kids know how to do this so they don’t suffocate). This will keep you warm and dry while waiting for people to find you. A whistle can be heard further away than a human voice and takes less energy to use. The water and granola bar will help you get through a couple of hours of waiting. The bandanna can be used for either first aid type of situations or to use as a flag for attracting attention.
2) Your fanny pack should also include basic first aid supplies. Such things as band aids, hand sanitizer, gauze and antibiotic ointment is best. This will handle any small scrapes and cuts that may happen while you are on the trail.
3) If you happen to get lost, STAY WHERE YOU ARE. One of the best things you can remember is to hug a tree. Even small children can find a tree and sit down next to it and rest. If you stop moving, the people who are out looking for you won’t have to chase you down! When explaining this concept to small children, tell them to find a tree and hug it. That tree will be their new friend until other new friends (searchers or search dogs) find them.
4) Make sure your children know that they are not in trouble for getting lost. “My parents won’t be mad at me”.
5) If they hear searchers or someone calling their name, they should respond, but stay where they are. Even if it is dark, most wild animals will be more scared of them. If they hear something they should make a loud noise but stay where they are. The animal will run away and hide. Many children are scared of the ‘lions, tigers and bears’ which results in them running from noises in the dark. This increases the chances they will get hurt and increases the chances that they are actually running from searchers.
6) Before you leave on the trip, footprint your child. If they do happen to get lost, having a clear copy of the tread of the child’s shoe will assist searchers in finding them faster. This is a 5 minute drill which could make a significant difference later.
Many of these seem very common sense, but unless you talk about it with your children, they don’t know what to do. A great program to help kids and parents be prepared is “Hug a Tree.
Be prepared.
Be safe.