Nobody plans to put themselves into a survival situation. Such crises are always unexpected. The purpose of this booklet is to help you survive if such a crisis occurs. In order to survive you must know what to do, when and how to do it and be able to do it in a variety of situations.
The person who is in an all-out stay alive survival situation has only one goal: to survive and stay alive until rescue. This booklet is adapted from one previously published by Willamette Falls Hospital Foundation in conjunction with the annual Cold Weather Survival and Wilderness Medicine Conference.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE LOST- 1. Avoid panic or letting such thoughts as "I've got to get out of here" cloud your judgment. While many have walked out in the past, the odds are against it. It could be the last walk you will ever attempt.
- 2. Think. Before attempting to walk out, ask yourself the following questions:
- Will the weather, snow conditions, wind and visibility permit the walk? (Usually not)
- Will the hours of remaining daylight permit you to reach help? (Probably not)
- Is the clothing you have with you adequate for cold weather travel? (It rarely is)
- Am I physically in condition for walking? (You probably don't know) If you are not positive about all those questions, stay put. A little time spent evaluating your situation and applying survival sense to the problem will go a long way in assuring your health, comfort, and safety. It may save your life.
- 3. Remember: When it does happen, admit you are lost. Concentrate on survival. Your goal is to stay alive until you are rescued.
