In our country, almost 120 thousand people disappear annually. Among them are many who went to the forest for mushrooms, berries, spruce branches, etc. Unfortunately, the missing are not always found alive. Especially the elderly. How to reduce the risk for yourself and your loved ones? What to do if you get lost? What to do if your relative is missing in the forest?
Most people tend to answer such questions: this will never happen to me. Probably, among those lost in the forests, there are also such. Excessive arrogance, confidence in your good knowledge of the area, the ability to navigate perfectly in the forest, sometimes interfere with being ready to face the problem in real life. And to be ready for it means to increase your chances of being saved and surviving.
What to foresee in advance
Going into the forest, leave excessive arrogance at home. If relatives, especially the elderly or minors, are sent to the forest, equip them with the essentials in case they get lost in the forest. Instruct them to take what should happen. No need to think that this will ever happen to you or your loved ones.
Any of us, especially in old age, is always at risk of a sharp deterioration in health. Any of us is in a risk zone to disorient in space. Any of us is at risk for panic and running in any direction.
Going into the forest, be sure to bring:
- supply of food and water
- first-aid kit with the most necessary medicines
- compass and map
- a newspaper and matches (it is better, of course, a lighter, because matches can become damp) to build a fire
- whistle, in case of inability to respond to rescuers shouts
- knife
- flashlight with new batteries or a fully charged battery
- A cell phone with a fully charged battery.
Going into the forest, wear bright clothes that are easy to see from afar. Depending on the season, bring warmer clothes with you.
Learn for yourself and teach your relatives to determine satellite coordinates using a cell phone. This is not difficult. By such coordinates you can be found in a matter of hours.
What to do if you get lost
If it still happened that you got lost, try to contact relatives or rescuers and sit still. If you continue to move, it will be extremely difficult to find you. You can simply leave the squad of rescuers.
If you still hope to leave the forest on your own, then try to find a path or path and follow it. In any case, it will lead you to the place of people’s stay.
If you could not get out of the forest before nightfall, be sure to light a bonfire. It will serve you not only for heating, but also as a guide for rescuers.
Listen to the sounds. If you hear that they are calling, shout back. If there is no strength to scream - whistle a whistle. The sound will also make you much easier to find.
Try to cope with panic attacks. In a state of panic, a person tends to move randomly on the ground, delving into the thicket of the forest, getting into marshy swampy places, from which it is extremely difficult to get out. Finding the missing person in such places is also very difficult.
If panic swept through
If you still feel a rolling state of panic, try to calm down. Stop. Take a few slow deep breaths. Try to breathe evenly. Try not to “wind up” yourself with negative thoughts. Focus on pondering your salvation. Emotions will only interfere with thinking sensibly.
What to do if a relative is missing in the forest
If your relative does not return from the forest for a long time, do not wait, do not drag out time. Report his loss to the police. A period of 3 days from the moment of disappearance has already been canceled. The chance in hot pursuit of finding the missing person is always higher.
Together with the police, try to check the most probable places where the relative is moving.
Contact yourself or ask the police to go to search and rescue volunteer groups to attract more people to search for the missing. Leave someone close at home in case the missing person makes their way home.
It is important
Instruct your elderly and minor relatives on what you should always take with you to the forest. Get a small backpack for these trips. Put everything you need in it. Insist that your relatives always take it with them when they go to the forest. Instruct them on how to behave in case they get lost.
These simple actions will help increase their chances of surviving in such a situation.