LOST BUT FOUND!        SAFE AND SOUND!

People of all sizes and ages can get lost. This young camper enjoys the outdoors.

Nobody likes being scared or frightened, but if you become lost you can remember these things that will help you to be less scared.

If you become lost you can help yourself by staying calm. To do this you can sing, whistle or even tell yourself some jokes or stories. Do anything it takes to make yourself feel better. Try using your imagination to pretend you are somewhere else that you really like. Your family will be looking for you and they will call the police and search and rescue people to find you.

Animals do not like to be near people. If they hear or smell you, they will run away. A good rule is: answer a noise with a noise. If you hear a noise in the woods, make a noise back. If it is an animal, it will run away. If it is a searcher then you will be found.

You must stay in one place. Stay where you are because help is on the way. If you walk too far, help may not be able to catch up to you. If you are running around you may fall and get hurt. It will help to find a nice tree and “Hug” it. Remember, a tree can be your best friend. Do not climb the tree as you may fall out of it and get hurt. If you are with a friend or your dog, stay together as you will be able to cuddle up and stay warm.

If you are afraid of the dark, here is a trick you can try. Memorize your surroundings during daylight so that you can see with your memory when it gets dark. Remember, nothing changes just because it gets dark. Try practising this trick in your bedroom.

If you hear searchers get in a clearing where they can see you. There may be a helicopter or plane looking for you. If you see or hear a helicopter get out in the open and lie down flat like you are making a snow angel. This will make you look bigger so the helicopter pilot can see you.

There is no punishment for being lost. Mom and Dad, or whoever is looking for you, are going to be very happy to see you again and they won’t even think about punishing you. Remember, anyone can get lost- children or adults.

There are friendly strangers who will help you when needed. Some of these are Police officers, Search and Rescue teams, Search Dogs and 4 Wheelers. You don’t need to hide. Don’t be afraid of searchers who may be wearing orange uniforms. Friendly strangers always work in groups.

Even when the sun is shining and it’s a warm day, the evenings and nights can really get cool. Staying warm and dry is as important as staying in one place. Keep your clothes, jacket, mittens and hat with you because you may need them later. The fastest way to warm up is to cover your head because more than 70% of your body’s heat leaves from the top of your head. If you are cold you can get out of the wind and rain by finding shelter under a large tree or build a nest like the animals do. Build a mattress using branches, moss and leaves. You can make it really thick and soft. You can also cover up with branches to stay warm.

Don't be afraid of the Search dog. It will be with its handler so you know it is there to help you. If it is nighttime, the dog may even be wearing a bright light on its collar. It is just a fuzzy friend looking for you.

If you are warm enough, but have dark clothes on, you could put your white underwear on the outside of your clothes. White clothing shows up better than dark clothing to searchers on the ground and in the air. You could make big arrows in the ground or write “SOS” or “HELP” with rocks or in the snow.

Do NOT eat any berries, mushrooms or anything else unless you are sure what it is. You must have drinking water to survive but be careful where you drink from. Drink only from small brooks and be careful not to fall in.

• A Zip Lock sandwich bag with a snack of trail mix .
• A whistle to call for help when you get tired and cannot shout.
• A bright orange garbage bag with a hole (only put one hole) cut for a face opening to be used only for your shelter and it will keep your body heat in and the wind and rain out.
• Keep your fanny pack around your waist and don’t take it off. That way you will have it when you need it. Make it a habit when you go walking, bicycling or camping to put in on.

When you are lost and really cold, it is OK to go inside a cabin. If there is a phone you could call 911.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR PARENTS

When you notice that your child is “missing”, call the Police ( or send someone else to call) IMMEDIATELY. Don’t wait. Searchers would rather show up only to find that the child has returned or been found safely than to be delayed and face a more difficult search and a much larger area.

Here are some links to “Fun Games” to help us learn about what to do if we get lost. Play and enjoy and maybe even share these with your Mom and Dad.

Nature Trails and Animals!

Your Friend is Missing!

Your Friend is Lost Again!

Stop Disasters Game!