Every year, people get lost when visiting forests. Some find their way home after wandering for a couple of hours, while others require a large-scale search. Most often, elderly people experience difficulties with orientation. However, anyone can get lost.
Before going into the forest:
– Plan your route and inform your relatives or neighbours about where you are going and when you expect to return home;
– Assess your health condition: do not go into the forest if you feel unwell!
– Check the weather forecast: if heavy rain, thunderstorms, or gale-force winds are approaching, postpone your trip;
– Pack essentials: food, water, a small first-aid kit, a knife, matches, a mobile phone with a charged battery, and a windbreaker. If possible, take a flashlight and a whistle (these will be useful if you need to send light and sound signals);
– Wear bright clothing.
In the forest:
– Note landmarks: unusually shaped trees, uprooted stumps, streams, pits. It is recommended to tie bright ribbons or twine to branches (and do not break branches or bushes under any circumstances!);
– Watch your step and do not move too quickly: you could get injured by tripping over roots.
If you do get lost:
– Use landmarks to return to a familiar place;
– If there are no landmarks, head towards people: follow power lines, forest clearings, and paths. Follow a stream or river downstream, head towards the sound of barking dogs, cars, or trains;
– If you cannot find your way out of the forest on your own, call the Rescue Service at 101 or 112. If you cannot contact rescuers, stop and calm down, do not wander aimlessly;
– If you have to spend the night in the forest, prepare a sleeping place, build a shelter from branches with bedding. Put newspapers or dry leaves under your clothes;
– Wait for help, you will be found!