Have you ever been out hiking, having a great time, completely immersed in your thoughts, the scenery, or a conversation and suddenly looked up and thought “Oh, I’ve not been paying attention to the track where I am”?

This can happen so easily, and it is unnerving and even scary, particularly if you’re meant to be the experienced one in a group. Picture that scene in the movies with someone walking in circles, crossing over obvious tracks, and even doing irrational things.

Usually just stopping and to take the time to think through the last section of your walk: how long has it been since you knew for certain where you were along the route, how defined the track has been, were there any turn-offs along the way, do you remember any features, what’s meant to be ahead of you? It is a subjective decision and if you can answer these questions and are confident you are where you are meant to be, great. But what if you are not certain?

If you are on a defined track but are not certain exactly where you are then set yourself a time to get to a definitive landmark (a junction in the track, a lookout, a campsite etc) and reassess at that landmark or at that set time.

What to do if you don’t have a defined track or reach a point where you believe you are lost?  It is important to understand that many people end up in a far worse situation due to not stopping and accepting this.

With many years of experience hiking and formal training in off-track bushwalking and search and rescue, I understand some actions will give you the best outcome.

There are some key elements to ensure you are prepared before you go on a bushwalk.

1. Have the correct gear.
2. Tell someone where you are going and your expected timing; also use walker registration: online or logbooks at track heads.
3. Carry appropriate communication devices – if there is any chance of no mobile reception carry a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon).

When you are on the hike and you feel you are lost there are 3 key steps, and they are easy to remember: STOP – STABALISE – ADVERTISE.

Stop – Stop walking, so many people keep going and think they can just “find” their way back. As I mentioned it is unnerving, scary, and even embarrassing to get lost, you need to work through this because people do get lost.

Stabilise – It is very normal to become anxious and it is important to not panic. Now you have stopped sit down, have a drink and something to eat. Take some time to familiarise yourself with where you are right now and what resources you have with you.

• Are you safe: not on a cliff edge, not on an ant’s nest, are there dead branches overhead….
• Do you have shelter, worm clothing and rain gear; do you have water and how much; do you have food and how much; do you have a light/torch; do you have mobile phone reception and what is your phone battery level; do you have a PLB?

Advertise – it is now time to get some help. Before you do try to understand your general location: I am in the XXX area, the road I drove to the start of the walk was XXX, I am on the XXX track, I have been walking for about XXX hours, from where I am sitting I can see XXX (a waterfall, a town in the distance…..), I have water and food to last until XXX.

• Try a phone call: call National Parks (if you are in a park), call the SES, call the police, call the person you have told your plans, if it’s an emergency call 000 or 112. If your phone reception is poor, try 000 or 112.
• You want anyone near you or looking for you to see where you are! Set up something obvious: a white or colourful item of clothing or gear in a tree or on the ground, if you have anything reflective (a mirror in your first aid kit is an item of safety gear to consider) get it out and place it somewhere conspicuous (shine it around from time to time).
• Make noise: many backpacks have a whistle on the chest strap (carrying one is an essential safety item). Blow this with 3 blasts regularly, set an alarm on your watch if you have one, “Cooee” call to get attention.
• Strobe Lights: many phones and head touches have a strobe light function so as soon as it is dark use the strobe function.

Other hints:

• If you leave the track to go to the toilet leave your pack on the edge of the track and only walk the shortest distance appropriate to go to the toilet.
• If you change your plans let someone know, particularly the person you have already shared your plans with.
• Be certain to sign off for track logbooks/registers to show you have completed your planned walk.