We can't really speculate about anything. But, the one thing I will say is if he had some outdoor training like all scouts should before they set foot in the woods there would have been a greater chance of avoiding this situation. This is why all new scouts in my troop are taught basic survival, basic first aid, basic fire building, and basic use of woods related tools before they are allowed to go on overnight outings. They do go on day outings, however they are watched extremely carefully and the activities are more structured. I am glad though that he came out basically ok, that often doesn't happen.