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#258019 - 03/25/13 08:26 PM Re: Why Humans Get Lost [Re: jshannon]
Pete Offline
Veteran

Registered: 02/20/09
Posts: 1372
I like the STOP approach.

It's good because it helps people to conserve body energy and to re-think their situation. I have to say that "stopping" can be pretty hard from a psychological point of view - because people have to admit to themself that they acrewed up. I'ts generally considered a "failure" if you get lost.

However - STOP doesn't work if there's nobody looking for you. Look at the story (on this thread) about the German family stranded in a remote part of Death Valley. Their bones weren't found for years. I think - if I remember right - that there was a search when they went missing. But it was too late and went in the wrong direction.

STOP is still a really good idea.
But may be it needs to be STOP and Signal.
Send a signal out to the world that you've got a problem.

Pete2


Edited by Pete (03/25/13 08:26 PM)

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#258027 - 03/25/13 10:20 PM Re: Why Humans Get Lost [Re: jshannon]
bacpacjac Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
We teach STOP and Hug-A-Tree to our Scouts, starting with the Beaver Scouts, who are as young as 5 years old. They make both make serious sense. We don't all always need to wait for rescue but STOP should be standard protocol for everyone. You're lost, hurt or in some other emergency/survival situation. The worst thing you can do is keep doing what you were doing to end up that way so just STOP. I tell my Scouts that as soon as they feel like something's not right, even a little, that's when they STOP. Don't push through through that feeling.

One of things I liked about Man Woman Wild was that they actively did a STOP in every episode. Hawke used STOP as an acronym for Situation - Threats - Observations - Plan, but essentially, it's the same thing: STOP and do some serious thinking before you do anything else.


Edited by bacpacjac (03/25/13 10:29 PM)
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#258028 - 03/25/13 10:25 PM Re: Why Humans Get Lost [Re: Pete]
bacpacjac Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
You bring up a good point, Pete. It has nothing to do with stopping yourself from getting lost but could get you found quicker: help initiate the search by letting someone know your plan, and the either stick to it or let that person know when you change it.
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#258041 - 03/26/13 12:35 AM Re: Why Humans Get Lost [Re: bacpacjac]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
The thing I like about the STOP strategy is that it melds nicely with brewing up that nice cup of tea, a good thing to do to calm yourself. The tea will warm and hydrate you; if you are cold and thirsty, your mental functioning will improve. Signalling is probably one of the more rational actions you can take as you develop a plan.

Come to think of it, brewing up a cup is a good thing to do, whether or not there is an existing problem. I'll be right back....
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#258072 - 03/26/13 09:49 AM Re: Why Humans Get Lost [Re: jshannon]
bacpacjac Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
My Grandma was am avid outdoors woman. When it came to preparing for getting lost or stuck out on a trip, she used to always say that if you were prepared for a brew up, you were pretty prepared:

You'd have a chance to STOP
You'd have a safe shelter
You'd have fire
You'd have water
You'd have warmth
You'd have light to see by and signal for rescue
You'd have sustenance
You'd have an animal deterrant

She was a wise woman.
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#258471 - 04/03/13 07:24 PM Re: Why Humans Get Lost [Re: jshannon]
spuds Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 06/24/12
Posts: 822
Loc: SoCal Mtns
A couple lost hikers here.....looking at location on web came across this.Clever.

========================
I pack a CD to signal. When flashing, just flash at the plane three times (the universal distress call). Also, tumbleweeds are great for smoke.

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