Lost in wilderness

●Urgent

Call 112

⚠️ Check: Is the area safe for you to approach?

Hypothermia at night
Dehydration
Wildlife
Cliff edges in dark

Quick summary

Stop. Stay put if safe. Three whistle blasts. Call for help when phone works.

Do This Now

Step 1: Stop walking — sit down and think before moving again
Step 2: Stay put if you told someone your route — moving expands search area
Step 3: Use whistle — three blasts, pause, repeat
Step 4: Mark your location and note last known landmark
Step 5: Call 112 or activate SOS when signal available

Do Not

❌

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT run downhill blindly — cliffs and rivers hide below tree line.

❌

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT split up further if still with others.

How to Call for Help

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 when signal found on ridge. Share Plus Code or coordinates.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Trigger satellite messenger SOS if you carry one.

When Professional Care Is Needed

Injury, no water by second day, or night falling without shelter needs formal search.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Search and rescue is appropriate when overdue on registered trek plan.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Injury preventing walkout needs evacuation not continued wandering.

Know your limits: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stop, signal, survive until found. Navigation back without map and compass is unreliable.

Call 112

This helper does not contact emergency services. You must call yourself.

Call 112

Learn more

When you are safe, you can read more about this emergency.

Full guide and explanation →

Draft guidance — professional review pending.

In a serious emergency, always call 112 for professional help. AidNow content is under active review and should not replace professional medical advice.

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Call 112