Remote Camping and What to Do If You Get Lost in the Woods

September 19, 2022

Remote Camping and Getting Lost During Remote Camping: Where to Begin

Remote camping and getting lost is often an unfortunate reality. It can happen to even the most well-equipped and experienced hiker. Addressing the situation relies on your ability to think critically and prevent things from getting much worse.

Even something as harmless as a sunburn can turn into a life-or-death situation. Getting found relies on your ability to survive against the elements and last in the wilderness. Many people who become lost are located within the first day, but in other circumstances, it may be longer.

How Do People Get Lost in the Woods?

Hiking on unmarked trails and roads is the most common reason campers become lost in the woods. At other times, unexpected inclement weather or misinterpreting maps and distances can cause travelers to go in the wrong direction.

Always stick to the plan and never explore deeply forested areas that are not marked. Before you leave, tell family and friends where you are going, a post a picture of yourself on social media clearly showing what you were wearing when you left for your trip.

What to Do If You Get Lost in the Woods During a Remote Camping Trip

Managing the situation from becoming worse can help to ensure your survival. With these tips, know what to do if you get lost in the woods.

Don’t Panic and Manage Your Emotions

First things first, do not panic. While it is easier said than done, coming to terms with the fact that you are lost can help you manage your emotions. Many hikers will experience incredible levels of stress, which can potentially hurt their ability to make sound decisions, leading to further complications. Come to terms with the fact that you are lost, and if you are with someone who is certain they can find their way out, take a minute to pause and assess the situation. Avoid making things worse and finding yourself in a place that is even further off marked trails and roads.

Set Up Camp

Don’t move; in fact, stay where you are. Consider setting up a makeshift shelter, source drinking water, and set up a fire. If you are injured or sick, heading deeper into uncharted territory will likely cause more harm than good. In other cases, if you feel you are capable of traveling, pay special attention to the weather and the sunset. Traveling through the woods in the darkness is especially dangerous and can cause serious injuries.

Make Yourself Known

Building a fire can help you become visible to search and rescue teams. During the day, hang brightly colored clothing as high as possible that can stand out from the rest of the forest. Should you remain lost for more than a day, it could mean that you are in an area that is hard to spot. Become as visible as possible and build an SOS sign that can be seen from above.

Conserve Your Energy

Between building a fire and creating a shelter, fatigue will likely set in. Ensure you rest instead of pushing through and putting your health at risk. Never, under any circumstance, push yourself to exhaustion or ignore injuries. Assess each challenge as it happens, and stay put if you are seriously injured.

Also, stay in the shade when the weather is warm and hydrate as much as possible. Dehydration can put you at risk, and learning how to sanitize and boil water in the wild can help you fend off exhaustion. Foraging will also play an important role and can help you take in important calories that can keep you alive until search and rescue arrives.

Remote Camping Alongside Overwatch and Rescue

While it might be frightening, it is possible to become found should you get lost in the woods. Remote camping brings us closer to mother nature, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t several risks at play.

FocusPoint International is now offering an all-encompassing and life-changing emergency assistance plan for every global traveler and those that like to get outdoors and be active. Building on the fundamentals of FPI’s flagship CAP Travel Medical and Security Assistance Plan, the Global Overwatch and Rescue Plan (O&R) responds to everything from common incidents associated with recreational activities, vehicle, motorcycle, and even snowmobile accidents, to the many hazards of adventure travel in the world’s most remote destinations.

O&R is an emergency assistance plan that includes unlimited on-demand advice, Satellite Emergency Notification Device (SEND)/GPS monitoring, Search and Rescue (SAR) escalation, and fully-funded assistance, including evacuations from the point of the incident or a treating facility for those that become hospitalized due to injury or illness, to include COVID-19, and/or security incidents that impact customers during a qualifying event or period of travel.

O&R also includes a robust technology platform that integrates with 3rd party Internet of Things (IoT) and Satellite Emergency Notification Devices (SEND), allowing for seamless tracking and alert notifications to streamline the escalation to emergency response services if and when needed.

Find peace of mind knowing that FocusPoint International’s Global Overwatch and Rescue Plan is there when you need it most.