The Easy Mnemonic That Could Save Your Life If You Get Lost While Hiking

Hiking is an activity that provides a myriad of health benefits to those who partake in it, such as improving their lungs, heart function, and sensory perception, along with lowering anxiety and stress levels. It is also one of the easiest ways to connect with the natural environment, whether you choose to do a simple day hike or tackle the longest trail in the world, stretching from coast to coast. But, of course, as with any outdoor adventure, dangers can be present — especially if you're not careful or prepared.

For example, one of America's most dangerous hikes in Alaska is extremely remote and features a high number of bears and tricky river crossings. Besides treacherous terrain and wildlife, though, one of the most prevalent perils of hiking is accidentally wandering off-trail. Between 2004 and 2014, there were over 46,000 people who required assistance from search and rescue teams across U.S. national parks (via National Geographic), and getting lost was the most common cause of these missions. While losing your way may not seem as fear-inducing as a surprise encounter with a hungry bear, it can have devastating effects if you don't find the trail or assistance soon, including dehydration, hypothermia, injury, starvation, and more.

So, the next time you're out in the woods and find yourself lost, remember this acronym: STOP. It stands for Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan, and it's an essential tool for navigation and survival. Each of the four words in this framework stands for a specific step that you should undertake in order to avoid panicking, orient yourself, and make better decisions. And while it's a cute and easy mnemonic to remember, don't discount its importance. It could end up saving your life the next time you get lost on a hike.

It's key that the first word is Stop — often, when you're in a panic, you may think it best to hurry on and find someone who can help you. However, you might still be going in the wrong direction and, if you're exhausted or thirsty, pressing on may fatigue, dehydrate, and disorient you even further. As well, if people are looking for you, you'll be more difficult to locate when traipsing deeper into the woods.

Once you've taken a pause, the next step is to Think. Try to remember how you got to this current spot. Ask yourself questions about what features or landmarks you passed, and assess your needs — are you wounded, cold, thirsty, or hungry? If you are injured, provide yourself with medical care first. Recall as many details as you can, including roughly when and where you saw the last trail marker. The Observe stage takes this further. Now you should notice what is around you. Look for water sources, signs of the trail, and human footprints. Listen for noises like distant chatter and cars driving. Check what you have on you that can help you signal others or find your way (an offline trail map, compass, phone, or a whistle). Identify what will help you survive if you need to stay out for a while.

Finally, you need to Plan. If you are confident in your bearings by now, you can make your way slowly back to the trail. If you're not, prepare yourself for a stay in the wild. Find a shelter or create a makeshift one from your natural environment (if you haven't brought your own). And try to make your location visible by attaching something bright to your shelter so that others can spot you.

Of course, the STOP method works best if you have prepared for this hike in advance, as it's harder to make an actionable plan without the necessary survival tools. Day hikers are the most likely to require a search and rescue mission because they aren't expecting to stay overnight, so they're often ill-prepared for trouble when it happens. According to a study conducted by SmokyMountains.com, there are four key factors upon which survival depends: shelter, warmth, food, and water. So, regardless of the amount of time you are planning to be out, you can avoid the worst-case scenario by being overly prepared and ensuring you have everything you need to address these four elements when lost.

The National Park Service has a list of 10 essentials to bring on any hike, including a first-aid kit, trail snacks and no-cook items, insulation (jacket, thermal underwear, rain protection), and some form of illumination (flashlight or headlamp). It's a good idea to bring more food and water than you think you'll need, in case of emergencies. You should also have a signaling device to alert searchers to your presence — this can be as simple as a mirror to reflect sunlight, a whistle, or a flashlight. Remember the universal signal for S.O.S. to indicate distress: three blasts or flicks of light in a series of three.

Additionally, share your route and planned return time with at least one person, with whom you'll check in upon arrival. Wear brightly-colored clothing, like a neon rain poncho, to attract attention, and don't hide away in thick vegetation. Finally, if you're planning a hiking trip abroad, purchase travel insurance — you definitely need it. Following all of these tips and using the STOP mnemonic will help you prepare for the trails and might even save your life.