Well, so far, I've always managed to get myself unlost, eventually. I think being an outdoors-person requires a degree of self reliance, and generally consider it to be a virtue. But, as you say, it's a matter of judgment, or lack thereof.

Other than for children, I'd be hesitant to over-promote some sort of official "stop and wait for rescue" policy, especially one backed up by civil enforcement. I understand the impulse to seek reimbursement to the taxpayers for the costs imposed by the utter stupidity of others, but the outdoors is hardly the main place where this occurs.

I see the outdoors as one place where personal responsibility can still be nurtured and practiced, and I would just hate to see it become another place where reliance on the state, and general weenie-ism, is promoted and enforced.