In An Emergency
If correctly planned your trip will go smoothly and happily but from time to time people do get lost and find themselves in difficult situations.
Whether you are out driving or walking and find yourself in trouble there are a few key things to remember:
- If you get stranded while driving - stay with the car. Never leave it. Use it for shade. This is the most important advice we can give you.
- If your become lost while out walking just sit down and study your maps. Work out where you came from and slowly take that route back. If you can't find the way, back, move to higher ground.
- In both situations, share out the food and water, listen for rescuers and signal if you hear them. Signal with three torch flashes and with your whistle. During the day, light a small fire, smoky with green leaves. As night comes, light a small bright fire with dry materials. Be prepared to wait.
- Watch for exposure. From heat - people become pale, clammy and breathe rapidly. They should rest in the shade, be sponged with cool water and drink cool water with a little salt dissolved in it. From cold - they become slow and irritable, may stumble, get cramps, shiver and get blurred vision. They should rest in shelter from the wind and rain, wrap up as warmly as possible, share a sleeping bag, have warm drinks.