It was my own kids and a Cub Scout den that got volunteered to lead that hatched my interest in basic survival skills. I'd met a search & rescue team at the local county fair and they offered advice that matches that of Doug Ritter's Survival for Kids web site.

Yeah, I know, 3 years of age is a bit young, but when outdoors parents should equip them with a whistle, a large plastic bag, and some kind of tiny flashlight with an on switch. Teach them to stay put (hug a tree), be "findable", and blow that whistle if they realize they are lost. Tell them that they'll ask a few good strangers for help looking for them and to not hide or be afraid of them.

Thank God that little boy was OK. I can only imagine the parents' horror.

Ken K.