SCREAMING FOR ATTENTION

PACK WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO SIGNAL FOR HELP IF YOU GET LOST OR INJURED

- JIM COBB

We might not like to admit it to ourselves or to others that we're not perfect. Even the very best of us can end up making a bad decision, taking a wrong turn, or just plain getting confused and, as a result, suddenly find ourselves hopelessly lost.

To make matters worse, sometimes we fall prey to our own ego and decide that there's no way we could be lost, we just need to walk a bit further to find the trail again. More often than not, that just gets us into deeper trouble. Let's take a look at how you can plan ahead for this eventuality, as well as some options for signaling devices that are easy to carry and use.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION

Before you leave the house, get in touch with a trusted family member or friend. Let them know, as precisely as might be possible, where you're headed and when you plan to return. If they do not hear from by you by that time and they are unable to reach you, they should contact the authorities. Stress that this isn't a situation where they should give you the benefit of the doubt. If you're supposed to be home by 4:00 pm on Sunday and you're still AWOL at 4:05 pm, they should be calling the sheriff's office or other department that has jurisdiction in the area.

Of course, that means you need to hold up your end of the bargain, and let them know as soon as you're back to civilization. If they call out for rescue and you're sitting in the parking lot checking your email, that's your fault, not theirs.

S.T.O.P.

Should you find yourself suddenly realizing you have no idea where you are, how you got there, or where to go from there, this acronym will hopefully pop into your brain and give you some guidance.

S = Sit down.