In todays' Washington Post:

Lost in the wilderness: Tech tools help but they don’t always find someone in time

The article states some very good principles, which are not always followed by those in the wild.

Here is SoCal, there has been a search for a missing hiker on Mt. Baldy. He has been missing for a week, and the search has been suspended due to the death of one of the searchers. This doesn't happenery often, but there is always a element of risk in SAR.

I rely on hi-, lo- and no- tech.
In combination.

Interesting. Thanks for posting this. I'm going to try to find a library copy of the behavior-of-lost-people book mentioned.

I make a point of of having "mental map" of the general area. The author notes this as "handrails." If I know the hard features (a long road here, a river there) and their general orientation, I may get thoroughly turned around (it happens easily enough) but not truly lost. I think it's a really important tool in keeping a level head.

Also, pre-trip testing of the compass in your pocket so you *know for certain* it's actually working helps you talk yourself through the problem when you're turned around. Believe me, occasionally you'll bet anything that the compass is wrong.

On the topic of searchers walking (or flying) right by the object of their search — signaling equipment in the form of mirrors, bright clothing, ribbons, strobe lights, whistles, et al are not that expensive and most are small enough and light enough that not carrying a couple forms is hard to justify. After navigation (staying found), next on my list would be signaling gear.