I came across this story, and thought y'all would like to comment:<br><br>http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/nov01/lost06110501a.asp<br><br>Good points:<br><br>1. He left his info with others so a search could start.<br>2. He kept his knife on him.<br>3. He always carrys a whistle, so could attract close rescuers.<br><br>Bad points:<br><br>1. No water carrying capability or purification. Dehydration was a major risk, and so was hypothermia when he was forced to eat snow.<br><br>2. No way to signal airborne rescuers. These are our major source of location.<br><br>3. No way to make fire. It's foolish to not carry anything as small and light as fire-making equipment always.<br><br>4. Eating without drinking.<br><br>At a minimum, I keep a whistle and photon on my keyring, and another keyring with an A.G. Russel featherlite knife, Superior sharpener and military match, on me at all times. Total additional weight = 3 oz.

I noticed the term "newly opened trail" first. The best of established and mapped routes are still subject to the whims of nature's alterations. Taking a periodic bearing and looking back to visualise landmarks would have returned him to his tent. The food ! crackers, tootsie rolls and tuna makes my meager supplies seem bountifull. I did take a second look at my can of sardines. They are included as potential fishbait and reserve food. I think Ill find smallerbait and add something less salty.

This story illustrates for me how easy it is to get into a survival situation. He made 2 completely separate, easily- made mistakes, either of which would have been sufficient to create a survival situation: <br>1) got lost following a confusing trail while backpacking, and <br>2) got lost again while scouting away from his campsite (losing almost all his gear).<br><br>Also, as the search plane circled, unable to see him through the trees, it illustrated how having a signal mirror quick at hand and the skill to rapidly aim it could have made a huge difference. <br><br>And, obviously, a way to start a fire.<br><br>And finally, the importance of keeping the essentials on your person, not in the backpack where most people would likely be tempted to leave them. It was only after he became separated from the majority of his gear that a PSK would have became crucial.<br><br>It's a good thing he left the map of his route with his parents. If he hadn't, he probably would have died.