Lost in the Woods: Rules of Survival.

Many people enjoy a good hike in the woods. Other than the exercise, it’s also a great way to be closer to nature. However, getting lost in the woods is hardly any fun. In the event that you do get lost, don’t panic. Try to remember these rules of survival.

Stay together. Always, always stay together when you get lost in the wilderness. Whether it’s with a pet or with an actual friend, separating is never a good idea, not even if it’s to try and find a way out of the forest. Separating can lead to someone getting lost, hurt, or in even more trouble. It can even lead to only one person getting found when rescue arrives, so stay together.

Stay in one place. Wandering around a forest is only likely to get you more lost. In fact, wandering around will often lead to more trouble because you can get hurt or lose your way entirely. Staying in one place is also important because if you have been responsible as a hiker or explorer, rescuers should have a good idea of where you’re supposed to be. Also, if you find a building or a road, don’t wander away from it.

Keep warm. Getting cold is one of the first things that can affect a hiker’s judgment. It makes it harder to move and think, and that can mean a whole lot of trouble. If you have extra clothing, even if it is just a pair of pajamas, put it on if you get cold. You absolutely have to stay warm to be able to think clearly.

Find a cozy waiting place, not a hiding place. Remember that while you want to stay safe and sheltered, your main priority is being found. Hiding deep inside a cave or deep in the forest isn’t likely to get you found at all. If you hide too deeply, you may miss the rescue when it comes. Try to find a place to hunker down at night, but be sure that you will be able to hear if someone is coming.

Put out something bright. Once again, you want to get found, so if you have anything bright at all – a flashlight, flare or even a fire – to put out at night when it gets dark, do it. Try to conserve flashlight batteries, but if you’re getting desperate, put it out there so that it can be used as a beacon for anyone searching for you.

Look bigger for searchers. A small group in a forest is easy to miss, so do your best to make yourself noticeable. Pile a large quantity of rocks or branches together, start a fire, do something so that if someone is flying overhead, you can be spotted.

Do not lie on the bare ground. Nothing will make you colder faster than the bare ground. There are also lots of tiny insects that can get into your clothing so always make sure to lie on something like a blanket.

Watch what you eat. Unless you’re absolutely starving, don’t eat anything you don’t recognize. Eating something that makes you sick can put you in more danger than going for a couple of days without food.

Stay away from large rivers and lakes. Carnivores like bears tend to gather around large rivers and lakes, so avoid these places if possible. Large rivers and lakes also present a health hazard. Falling into a river can result in you getting washed downstream. Further, the cold water can actually make you sick.

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[caption id="attachment_21715" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo Credit: The San Diego Union Tribune"][/caption] Last week, we reported on a car accident in San Diego that resulted out of alleged teen street racing. In new developments, the 18-year-old driver charged with the death of the two teenagers involved in the street racing has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter among four other charges according to reports at the San Diego Union Tribune. The news follows the earlier arrest of another 16-year-old driver that was taken into custody on similar charges. Just shortly after his arraignment, Michael Johnson, the 18-year-old driver of a Volvo S40, said, according to his attorney, that he is not the responsible party in the tragic San Diego accident fatalities that occurred April 4. Accident reports indicate that Johnson was returning from a spring break beach party in La Jolla when he was allegedly involved in a street racing contest with another teen driver – the unidentified 16-year-old driver of a Volkswagen Passat whose name has not been released since he is a minor. According to Deputy District Attorney Kristen Spieler, the two vehicles were zigzagging across lanes at speeds reaching up to a staggering 100 m.p.h. The 16-year-old driver in the Passat lost control over the vehicle, causing the car to flip over several times across multiple lanes of the road. Two passengers, Anthony Foreman, 18, and Jayli Campbell, 16, were thrown from the Passat and died at the scene of the accident. Two passengers survived the crash. Charlotte McQuillen, survived the accident although she suffered serious injury as a result of the collision including reports that say the teen will have to recover from traumatic brain injury. Anthoney Taylor, 16, also survived the crash although his injuries are unclear at this time. Johnson did not flee the scene of the accident according to police reports and cooperated with authorities once officers assessed the scene of the collision. The teen has no prior criminal record, although authorities say his vehicle was found containing a small amount of marijuana. Johnson is being charged with intoxicated driving, although his lawyer says there were no field sobriety tests to confirm the teen’s alleged intoxication. Teen driving: reminders for concerned parents Last week, we blogged on actions parents can take to prevent teen car accidents. Tips include:

Sign a parent-teen contract. Download your free contract now.
Enforcing the rules. Every teen driver needs to know that rules are there for a purpose, and when they are broken, consequences will follow.
Have a DUI backup plan. As most parents can attest, there are many instances when teen drivers run into problems that supersede their know-how and maturity. Drinking is one of those problems. In cases of emergency, your teen should have an open-door policy where they feel safe to call you when they need help – such in the case of drunk driving or driving while intoxicated.

About the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC The Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC are specialists in car accident injury. Every personal injury attorney in our San Diego office works hard to seek maximum recovery for every injured client. Your case is handled without any out-of-pocket costs, so do not hesitate to speak to a San Diego personal injury lawyer today for a free legal evaluation. Call us at 1-800-655-6585.