2torial #0434:
Learn2 Behave When Lost in the Woods (Continued)

Stay put and signal

If the situation makes retracing and trailfinding difficult, you've got no choice but to hunker down and wait for the rescuers. You job is to 1.) stay in a fixed position and 2.) give them something to fix upon.

• Create a physical signal. If weather permits, seek out a clearing where you'll be visible from the air. If there are sufficient dead branches around, use them to spell out a message: HELP, or SOS, or even just an X. If you need shade or protection from the elements, add a pointing arrow in the direction of your shelter.
• Create a sound signal. Don't shout yourself hoarse proclaiming how you are and the fact that you're lost: just remember Three means Help. The universal distress call is any kind of signal repeated three times at frequent intervals, like three shouts or whistles. So sing out something like "Hey!Hey!Hey!," then rest your throat a minute, then do it again.
• Sing, don't scream. Shout as loud as possible--feel the strain on your throat? Now sing a note, also as loud as possible (don't worry about being in key). You should find that you can sing as loud as you can scream, but without taxing your vocal cords as much. A scream is just a note with a bit of gargle thrown in, and that'll wear you down quickly.
• Build a fire. Even if it's daytime. But prepare the fire site with all the caution you'd use for a regular campsite; you don't want to cope with a raging forest fire as well as being lost. Don't worry about sending smoke signals--the smoke itself is a signal. If possible, gather a good supply of wood before lighting the fire; you don't want it to go out (or spread) when you're off scavenging more wood. See 2torial #0438 Build a Campfire for more details.
• Insulate and wait. If you're committed to sticking around, conserve your energy and your food and water supply. Don't move around more than you have to; wait until your current food supply is almost exhausted before foraging around for more. Bundle up and try to relax--take slow, deep breaths, counting ten breaths at a time; and don't eat or drink just to pass the time.

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