Wilderness Survival Guide 41 BE PREPARED For Parents Children are easily distracted and will wander off a trail, so it is important to teach them early to stay ON the trail at all times. Never let a child walk a trail alone. Teach your child to pick out a visible landmark such as a prominent hill, or note the direction of the sun, to stay oriented to direction. Footprint your child It only takes a few minutes but it can cut down search time by several hours. Place a piece of aluminum foil on a soft folded towel, have the child step on it with both feet, and mark the foil with the child’s name. With these prints, trackers can differentiate one child’s track from others and quickly determine the direction of travel. Call for help right away If your child is lost, it is important to act quickly. Because the child is likely moving, the search area becomes larger and larger the longer you wait to bring in expert assistance. A delay in calling for help is also very dangerous when the weather is bad. It can wipe out the child’s tracks and increase the danger of exposure. Don’t worry about calling too early and having to cancel the request for assistance. Searchers won’t mind the practice and it helps them stay alert. Be available for interviewing Clues that lead to finding a lost child early usually come from family and friends who remain on the scene and talk openly and accurately with those managing the search. Keep in mind that any and all information provided can mean the difference between success and tragedy, and it will be kept confidential. www.adventuresmart.ca
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