Navigating when lost

Lost ?

Getting lost is not planned but if you are not careful it can just happen

You are walking along everything seems to be fine, your mind is on other things

Gradually you become aware that you are not where you thought you were

Or perhaps you come across something that does not match your expectations of the land form around you.

Or even you look down at your map and find that it does not match your surroundings

First things to do when lost

Both the first and second thing you need to do when you are lost you do together

1) stop

2) don't panic

It is also very useful to note the time and then write it down

Now what ?

Set the map using your compass and try and identify features around you

If you think you can recognise features then look at the map to find other nearby features.

Look around to check if you can see these features where they should be.

This will help confirm if the features you have identified are correct or not.

Still lost

Try to relocate using any features that you have already passed earlier.

No luck with this

Are there any features in the distance that you can recognise and then use for relocation ?

for more details on relocation see the notes at the bottom of the page

Still you have no idea where you are

Have another look at your map and decide where you last known point was.

Try and decide when you were there and after checking the time you realised you were lost (see above) work out how far long you travelled, you can then use this time to work out an approximate distance that you travelled.

Use your compass to see what direction you were walking in ?

You may be able to work back from your last known point using time, distance and direction walked

Ok - So you still don't know where you are
You have no way of finding out
So you need to move to another location to help sort this out

First look at your map is there any dangerous land nearby that you need to avoid.

Take a best guess as to whether the feature you were looking for, or your last know point is nearer to you.
Chose this as your new goal.

Try to find an obvious linear feature (hand rail) such as a path, or wall that is going in the direction of your new goal.

Safety whilst moving to your new location

Make your navigation as safe as you can by

Keep the map orientated at all times.

Keep the legs short.

Move from one easily identifiable feature to another, even if it means a detour.

If you find recognisable feature or dangerous ground

As soon as you see a recognisable feature STOP and work out where you are and then reconsider as per the instructions above.

If you suspect you are in or near dangerous ground then also STOP and work out where you are and then reconsider as per the instructions above.

If you decide to walk on a bearing

Try and use the aiming off technique so as to minimise the chances of missing your new goal. aiming off when done properly is better than hitting a feature by dead reckoning.

Whilst LOST when walking with a group - ensure that :

A confident person in the group should be at the rear to keep the group together.

A confident person in the group should keep the group's morale up whilst leaving you to do the relevant navigational calculations.

Each person is responsible for ensuring they can see and remain in contact with the person in front and behind.

Appoint a back marker. Tell the back marker to shout at once if you are moving to quick or get out of sight.

The leader should look around periodically to check that everyone is OK.

Other considerations when Lost

As well as the above navigational concerns.

Ensure your own and your groups safety.

Ensure you keep good morale in your group.

Check equipment, keep the group together.

Each person is responsible for the person in front and behind.

Keep the map orientated at all times. Keep the legs short.

Resections (sometimes called Triangulation or Cocked Hat)

As mentioned above, resection is one of the techniques that can be used to locate your position

You will need to accurately be able to identify two or three features from your current position. Once you have identified these features, plot the bearing from them back to you onto your map. Your position is where the lines intersect.

If you use three points the resection will form a triangle and the theory is that you will be in the middle of the triangle.
If you use two points on the map the resection will form a X, you are at the point where the two lines cross.

Using three points is much more accurate than using two, the degree of accuracy of a resection should (with practice) be around a hundred meters)