How not to get lost in the forest? What to do if you get lost

Russia is a country of forests. About 45 percent of the territory of our country is covered with forests. They are very beautiful and picturesque, and besides, they are rich in various berries and mushrooms. Every year millions of people go on hikes, not knowing how not to get lost in the forest. Someone is attracted to the gifts of nature, others - the opportunity to relax from noisy cities, some are attracted by beauty, others are looking for extreme sensations. But regardless of the purpose of the campaign, do not forget about the precautions. Every year dozens of people are lost in the forests of our country. In order not to tell later the terrible stories of those who are lost in the forest, it is necessary to observe several simple rules.

How to gather in the forest

1. Before you go to the forest, you need to study the terrain in detail. Tell your relatives and close friends about your plans, mention the place where you go, and when you plan to return. After all, if a person is lost in the forest, rescuers should know in which area to look for.

2. Collect everything you need. The main thing is to have a fully charged phone, matches in a waterproof package, a knife, also it is worth taking a compass and a flashlight. Then the question of how not to get lost in the forest will not be so acute. Be sure to take drinking water. It is desirable to grab a small stock of products. It's better if they are not heavy, but high in calories, like nuts, chocolate or a batch of cookies. If possible, take medication (for example, band-aid, bandage, painkillers).

3. Be sure to choose the right clothes for the hike. It should be comfortable, waterproof. In the forest, there is a danger of being bitten by a tick, so it is necessary that the jacket is long-sleeved, and trouser trousers are tucked into boots. Do not forget about the hat. It is better if the clothes are light, it will help to quickly detect the tick. Also, it is worth buying repellents, which scare off mites and other insects. Only it is worth remembering that they can only be applied to clothes and in no case to skin, as these drugs can cause allergic reactions.

Correctly to gather is half the battle, it is also right to behave in the forest and know what to do if you get lost.

How to behave in the forest?

1. Do not go to the forest alone, the company is always more fun, and the chance to get lost is lower.
2. Visiting the forest is better in the morning and try not to linger until dark.
3. You need to remember which side you entered into the forest. Try to look for some landmarks, then you do not have to puzzle over how not to get lost in the forest. For example, if you came from the side of the river and moved south, then you come back to the north, and in the end you will come again to this river. It is necessary to choose linear reference points, for example, railways, highways or rivers.
4. Move better along the paths. If you decide to go deep into the forest, you need to leave notes along the way - you can tie bright marks to trees, make nicks or break twigs in your path. But trails sometimes come across animal. It is necessary to understand that if during a movement along a trail in a person beats branches, it means that low-growing wild animals walk on it, and it is not worth continuing to move along such a path.
5. If you decide to build a fire, then you must do it right. Better to plant it in the place where there is an old fireplace. If there is not one, you need to dig around the territory with a shovel or ax. Dilute the fire away from the overhanging branches of trees, dead wood and old dry stumps. Do not breed a big fire. Even if it is small, but laden with stones, it will give enough heat. It is obligatory to extinguish the fire before leaving the parking lot.
6. And, of course, you should not litter in the forest.

Going to the forest, often forget about the time. Picking mushrooms or berries can be so enthralling that at some point you do not understand where you are or where to go. A small reminder lost in the woods will help to find a way out without panic. Next, let's try to highlight all the important points.

Lost in the woods, what to do?

Stay. Try to find your tracks and go back on them. If it does not, you should calm down and listen, perhaps you will hear the voices of your friends or other people. You can hear the noise of a road flowing near a river or a train. Sounds are better distinguishable in the evening and on hills. It is believed that the sound of a passing train is heard at a distance of 10 kilometers, people screaming for 1.5-2 kilometers.

Cellular and emergency calls

Try to call by phone to people with whom you went on a hike, or to relatives who stayed at home, but they know about your trip to the forest. Try not to say a lot of unnecessary words and after the end of the conversation turn off the phone so that the battery does not sit down. If there is no telephone network, you need to call 112, the call is always available. Then there are several options for behavior - either stay in place and wait for you to be found, or look for a road yourself.

Waiting for help

If you decide to stay in place, it will be better to build a fire. It will help not to freeze, and from the air it's easy to notice the smoke. It is better to plant a bonfire in an open glade. To smoke was stronger, it is worth throwing into the flame raw branches or something plastic. You can climb a tree, tie something to the top bright and periodically shake the tree. If you hear any sounds, shout back. This will help search engines find you faster, and frighten wild animals. Remember that searching for those who are lost in the forest is not an easy task, it is important to indicate your location by any means. If you understand that assistance is not yet close and is worth taking care of yourself, then we must go looking for civilization.

Orientation on the ground

In childhood we were often taught to navigate the terrain and how to not get lost in the forest. It was said that the moss usually grows from the northern side of the trees, the nests are located from the south. But nature is changeable, and one should not rely on these signs, it is better to be guided by objective data. Your senses will help in the search .

• Look closely. On the ground there may be footprints of the soles of a man's shoes. After finding out the direction of the tracks, go on them. If you notice power lines, go along them.
• Listen carefully. Go in the direction of the sound of the water or the noise of the machines. Having reached the river, it is better to move along it along the current. Rivers usually flow into large ponds, and there is a chance to meet people.
• Sniff. If you feel the smoke of a fire, then you have to go against the wind for a smell.

Very often a person knocks down the right direction in a circle. This phenomenon is quite simple. The size of the step of the right foot is different from the left, this leads to the fact that a person "rakes" with one foot. Most often the person unconsciously turns to the left. In the end, if you go "straight ahead" without any landmarks, you can deviate significantly from the course.

Wild animals

In the forest can be trapped in various hazards, including wild animals. Basically they are afraid of man and will not attack first if they are not teased. When meeting a wild beast, you must try to escape to a safe distance. If the animal is interested in you, you have to start making noise - screaming, knocking, jumping and waving. If a wild boar has met on the way, then it is better to frighten him either from a large stone or from a tree, since boars are very unpredictable and can rush forward with fear. The main thing is not to run away from animals, otherwise, obeying your instincts, they will rush after them. It is much more dangerous to meet a wolf on his way. With him you do not need to make noise, on the contrary, you need to speak loudly and calmly, backing away with your back.

Food

Often comes the question: "If lost in the woods, what to do first?" We already talked about the designation of the place. Separately, you need to think about nutrition. In our forests there are a lot of berries and mushrooms. Of course, you can eat berries, but you should not hope for them, they will not be able to eat much, and in small amounts they are not very nutritious. If you understand mushrooms, you should collect them. Otherwise, it's better not to take chances. It is better to boil mushrooms in water twice. If you do not have a bowler with you, do not worry, you can do with a tin can.

Nuts are very nutritious . If you find a hazel, take the nuts with you in reserve. You can eat bark of trees and burdock root, which tastes like potatoes.

Lodging place

In the event that the search has dragged on, and the time is approaching the night, it is worthwhile to think about a lodging for the night. It is better to choose a dry place in an open area near the water. We need to collect as many dry branches as possible to build a fire so that it burns through the night. This will give the necessary heat, and frighten off predators. Well, if you have a plastic bag, you can put it on yourself. To spend the night, it is necessary to collect spruce branches, they better keep the heat. You can hide yourself with dry leaves. You have to go to bed by the fire, stretching along it.

Fall asleep in a stressful situation, of course, difficult. It is necessary to fall asleep with the thought that in a few hours again it will be light, and the chances of salvation will increase. Do not despair, succumb to panic, lose hope of return. The main condition of salvation is the desire to survive!