If You're Ever Lost in the Outdoors!

If you're ever lost in the outdoors use the S.T.O.P. acronym (sit, think, observe, plan) to control panic. You'll know what I mean about panic if you've ever been in that situation. And, if you haven't been turned around and you spend any significant amount of time in the outdoors, then it's only a matter of time before you do know what I mean. Psychologists have studied this mental state and found that without a known reference point the mind will begin to race in order to find one and if not found quickly then panic sets in.

So, if you're ever lost, use the S.T.O.P. acronym and ask yourself these questions:

1. What was the last point you recognized?
2. Can you retrace your steps? (In most search and rescue case studies there was a point at the beginning or just prior to panic, when the victim could have retraced their steps, but they failed to do so.)
3. Is there a place, trail, landmark you can focus on that gives you direction?
4. If NO to all these questions, then begin a slow systematic approach