Last updated: June 21, 2023
Article
Outdoor Emergency Plan
Accidents happen. You may become lost or injured while recreating outdoors. Search and rescue can take hours or days depending on factor such as weather conditions, capacity, and resources whether you are lost or injured. Being prepared for an emergency improves your ability to quickly respond to the situation. It is very important that you practice your plan before you leave so you and anyone joining your adventure knows what to do in case of an emergency. Remember, each trip and activity may have special requirements so you may have to modify your outdoor emergency plan to fit your trip.
Continue reading to learn how you can get the most out of your visit to a park. On this page, you'll also be able to:
- Learn what to do before your trip
- Learn about what to do if you get lost
- Learn about what to do if you get injured
Prevent Getting Lost or Injured
Before the Trip:
Use the NPS Trip Planning Guide to plan a great adventure and avoid some of the most common mistakes that lead to getting lost or injured.
Print one out from the park's website or plan to pick one up at the Visitor Center. Consider a trail or topographic map if your activity requires a more detailed layout of the area.
Review the map and your planned route and take note of the landmarks you can use as a reference point
Practice using your 10 Essentials like your compass or handheld GPS. Pack extra batteries for your flashlight.
Blowing a whistle helps people find you and saves your energy from yelling.
Flashing your mirror helps signal people if you become lost and mirrors don't run out of battery.
Leave your Trip Plan with a Trusted Contact who is not going on the trip with you.
Make yourself easier to see when people are searching for you.
If traveling in a group, which is two or more people:
Pick an activity that matches everyone's skills, experience, and physical fitness. This way no one is left behind for being slower or unable to finish.
A place where you will all gather when you are done with your activity.
This will document what everyone is wearing.
Make sure everyone knows the location and can find it on the map.
Set a pace that works for everyone so no one is left behind. Check in with your group often to make sure everyone is moving at a comfortable pace.
If one person from the group wants to explore a different location or turn around always send one or more people with them.
During the Trip:
Reduce the risk of becoming lost while protecting the natural resources around you.
Pay attention to trail junctions, information signs, and landmarks. Check that you are still on your planned route.
If You Get Lost
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Stop and breath – Take a moment to calmly assess your situation
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Find your location – Use your map, compass, handheld GPS, or visible landmarks to try to find your location
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Retrace your steps – If it is safe to do so, retrace your steps to get back on your planned route
- Call 911 – Tell them:
- GPS coordinates from your phone, if available
- Name of the trail or area of the park where you started your activity
- Your last known location before you became lost
- Description of your surroundings including visible landmarks
- Types and colors of clothing you are wearing
- Equipment you are carrying
- Any medical conditions you may have
- Stay put – Changing location will make it difficult for authorities to find you. Move only if there is an immediate threat to life
- Conserve energy – Wait patiently for help to arrive and conserve your energy
- Find shelter – A place that can protect you from the elements (sun, rain, snow, etc.)
- Inventory and conserve your resources – Check your 10 essentials and other items you packed to help you stay safe until help arrives
- Keep warm – The temperature outside can change throughout the day. If you begin to feel cold put on any extra layers of clothing you have with you
- Note: Do not build a fire if there is a high fire risk at the park or if it is wildland fire season. It could cause a wildfire and put you and others at great risk.
- Signal for help – Use the following signals to help search and rescue authorities find you:
- Blow your whistle often - This will help save your energy from not yelling
- Flash your flashlight – Flash the SOS pattern: Three times quickly, three times slowly, three times quickly. Use your flashlight wisely as this will drain the batteries.
- Flash your mirror – This can alert planes and helicopters flying in the area
- Make yourself visible – Lay out the shelter from your 10 essentials or use rocks to create a shape that can be seen by planes or helicopters flying above
- Conserve energy – Wait patiently for help to arrive
If someone in your group becomes lost:
Gather the group together
Retrace your steps as a group to the last known location of the lost individual. Wait there for the person for as long as it is safe to do so. DO NOT go looking for the person off trail.
If you can reach search and rescue authorities, tell them:
- GPS coordinates of the last known location of the lost person, if available
- Name of the trail or area of the park where you started your activity
- Description of the area including visible landmarks
- Types and colors of clothing the person is wearing
- Equipment the person is carrying
- Any medical conditions the person has
- The “Meet up” location decided by the group
If you cannot call 911, turn the group around and go to the nearest Ranger Station or Visitor Center to find help. DO NOT attempt to find the lost person yourself as other members of the group could become lost.
For children:
What happens if you become lost? It’s ok. Your family and friends are not mad at you. They are worried and looking for you. This what you can do to help them find you:
Find a tree, hug it, and stay put. If you do not see a tree around you, your “tree” can be a park bench or a big rock. The important thing is to stay in one place.
The temperature outside can change throughout the day. If you begin to feel cold:
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Put on any extra layers of clothing you have with you
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Button or zip up all layers
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Put on a hat or pull up the hood of your jacket
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Tuck your pants into your socks
You may hear voices calling your name. Or a helicopter fly overhead. These are the people who are looking for you. Help them find you by making yourself big.
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Big is blowing your whistle
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Big is waving your arms
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Big is flashing your flashlight
- Treat the injury – Use the First Aid kit from your 10 Essentials to clean and cover the affected area
- Rest – Take rest in a shaded area, if possible
- Drink water – Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Eat a salty snack – This will give you energy and help replenish electrolytes
- Turn around – If your injury does not allow you to safely complete the activity
- Call 911 – Share with them the following information
- The nature of your injury and any medical conditions you have
- First aid kit and any equipment you have that might help you stabilize the injury
- GPS coordinates from your phone, if available
- Name of the trail or area of the park where you are
- Description of your surroundings including visible landmarks
- Stay put once you have shared your location unless there is an immediate threat to life
- Flag down help – If there is no cellphone reception, flag down a visitor in the area and ask them to travel back to an area with reception and call 911.
- Minimize movement – This will prevent further injuries
- Control bleeding – Applying direct pressure to the wound to control bleeding
- Keep warm – The temperature outside can change throughout the day. If you begin to feel cold put on any extra layers of clothing you have with you
- Make yourself visible – Lay out the shelter from your 10 essentials (emergency blanket, tent, tarp). Use rocks to create a shape that can be seen by planes or helicopters flying above.
- Stay safe – Follow the steps for minor injuries while waiting for help
- Send two or more people to alert authorities while the rest stay with the injured person
- If there is only you and the injured person, follow the steps above to help stabilize them and then go look for help. You will have to go on your own.