They can thank their lucky stars (and whomever else they might like to) that they survived.

<rant on>

I personally think that the father should be facing child welfare officals right now explaing why he put his children in such danger because of his poor planning skills.
Knowing that he is taking his children into the forest in winter and having absolutely no survival tools,very little knowledge of survival, food or water with him Just In Case is a criminal act in my mind.
He's a damned lucky fool in my book.
<rant off>